Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-25

But. being Il woman. and q Cod
rearing one. she was endowed with two
splendid attributes which might have
been wanting in many prominent
member of that same communicates
heart overlooked with maternal love
and her brain WAS governed by that
simpic faith in Providence which moves
mountains.
Amid the noisy chaos II the passing
multitude She picked out n policeman
ana approached him timidly FumbIing
in reticulc which she carried. to-
Hcther with dilapidatcd suit case. she
produced II photograph
Pardon me. mister" she said I'm a
quavering. apologize Voice. but do
you happen to know young man who
looks like this?"
The policeman gazed down at the
questioncr. Slightly amused. he took
from her trembling hands "a photograph
of tho carte-de-visite order, yellow
with exposure, and much stained. il
might be. with tears.
no. ma'am." he said. after careful
scrutiny. who is IT,"
MY son" came the answer. II
haven't seen him for ten years, but a
man told me he believed he was i'm this
city"
whats his trade" inquired the Of
nccr of tho law kindly
The wrinlled and tired face. already
palld with fatigue, blanchcd a little
more
lie used to he locksmth," she
faltered. "but-but-the man said
that my boy wasn't workin' just now"
Then the policeman understood.
Gone to the bad, eh?" he com
mcnied, trying TO help the poor crea-
ture in n difficult confession
Il suppose So" she almost sobbed
He looked again at the picture, and
shook his head
NO" he said, Il haven't seen him.
He can't be much Of tough. mother,
or I'd he sure to know him. SO cheer
M! Sometimes things amt so bad
as people make EN- out. They're
always ready TO say the worst. you
know. Tell you what-therc's Il sort
OF settlement bureau in this town
where young folks who have gone
wrong are given a helpin' hand. You
may find out something about him
there. Even if Miss Grace Coo doesn't
know him. some one in the settlement
may be able to assist YOU"
The woman had named the subject
of the Photograph John William
Evans. so the policeman was hardly
to blame IL he failed to detect in the
ltncamcnts of "A fairly handsome and
Notwithstanding youth the scowlirg
features OF Two-Guu Jake. Ncvcrthc-
less. his counsel was good. since it led
the scarchcr's faltcring steps to Grace
Coe At the very moment when the girl
was nearly distracted with terror and
forebodinr as to the uncertain fate of
The man she loved.
Even in that hour Of storm and
stress her sweet disposition and SPLEEN
did sclf-control permitted her to listen
10 the elderly woman's story. She bent
over the photograph, but could only
return IL sadly.
No she said, II have never seen
your son. Mrs. Evans"
1t happened that Blanche Griffin was
standing near and heard what passed
Though she. too. was racked with
misery. she almost unconsciously scru-
tinizcd the simpcring youth in the
print. and doubling half-rccognition
fitted across her eyes
May look at that" she asked
Taking the little square OF pastcboard
to window. she examined it imtently.
and a half-reprcssetl cry Of amaZcment
brought Grace TO her side.
1T is-,it must be-Two-Guu Jake"
she whispered, cNcitedly. "Of course
Miss Coe, you don't know him as we'll
as do, but. unfortunately, have seen
good deal of him during the past
four years. and sometimes. when in re-
pose. he would look just like that oh.
IL this should be his mother, how for
tunate for u.s.
But how?" demanded Grace intui-
lively realizing that blanche would
not be SO disturbed without good
cause.
Don't YOU see. miss. he is wounded
and In hospital, and he, if amy one,
would know where those wretched men
have taken Mr.. Burton and Fill Reilly
Perhaps if we bring his mother to