Year: 1866

convict in any of the United States
prisons. This paper charged Martin
Brown with having been guilty of forg-
cry, for which he had been committed
to prison, and served out his term in
the State of Kentucky AS be read
the document'a deadly paleness came
over his features, his lips became firmly
compressed, as he turned to his wife
and read it aloud to her. He folded up
the paper and went into the house, fol-
lowed by his wife, leaving young San
ford alone with his daughter.


Fannie Brown sat with downcast
eyes, tear struggling down her cheek,
and her quick breath heaving her beau
tifully formed, yet half developed chest.
Her hands we're clasped together, .and
she looked like one broken hearted =
Suddenly she started from her seat, and
approaching young Sanford, said rap
idly:


"You must be friend of General
Austin s, and have influence with him.
Will you not do us great favor and
plead for my father? All, his is no
common case. True, he may be amen
able to the charge brought in that pa
per, but be is now law loving and
peaceful citizen"
Ellis Sanford must have been less
than human not to be moved by the
pleading, fearful face and sweet voice of
that beautiful girl His heart beat
quickly within him. He took her hand
tenderly and respectfully, and said:


"When | came on this unpleasant
business, | had no idea of meeting with
such domestic picture as has burst
upon me. Believe me, it needs no en-
treaty from you to make me your friend.
From this moment 1 declare myself
your advocate with General Austin, and
your friend, if you will permit me SO to
be, under any circumstances that may
oceur.''


80, you are very, very kind" added
thei beautiful girl, smiling upon him
through her fearful eyes, while she
placed her other hand upon the one be
held, and looked up into his face SO
tenderly, and with SO much of trust and
inpocence as to enchain the heart of
young Sanford.


He very we'll knew that Austin en-
forced the law with the utmost rigor,
touching the settling on his grounds of
any one known to be infam GUS by felon-
les, of whatever description they might
be. But his own purpose and mind
were made up in the brief interval we
have described He was a person of
fine cultivation, generous to a fault, and
with every manly attribute. In few
moments Martin Brown came out of the
cottage and said, sadly:


"Tell General Austin l shall never
move from this spot until l move to my
grave. 1t is true l did commit great
crime in my native State; but for that
[ have suffered the severe penalty of
the offended law; and then with my
dear wife and child, who still love me,
| stole away from the eyes of society
which 1 no longer wish to servo or in
jure-to live in quiet and to die in
peace. am ready and willing to die,
but / cannot seek another home.


"Sir," replied young Sanford, 81
care not to enter into particulars. There
is my hand, if you will accept it as that
of friend. There are too many do
mestic truths and associations as re-
CARDS yourself and family, which meet
my eye, not to give you powerful
claim to all the rights of citizenship,
Notwithstanding the stringent colonial
laws have already promised this
beautiful child that | will make your
interest my own, and personally plead
with the General that you may remain
unmolested. f1


"Young man, 1 honor the generous
promptings which lead you to speak
thus" said Martin Brown, as a CLEAN
of satisfaction lighted up his fine, manly
face


81 shall return at once to the Gener-
al,' said young Sanford, "and state the
truth Of this case" Then turning to
Fannie, he added ..-t


"And may I not come to you and
give his answer in person, or if he will
come himself, as | shall urge him to do
so, may l not come also?"


A gentle blush stole over her lovely
features, which did not escape her moth
er's eye, as she replied


81 shall indeed be gratified to see
you, and so will my parents"


Ellis Sanford replied in a tone that
she alone could hear: aa


81 shall come for your own sweet
sake" And as the still heightened
color tinged her cheek, he sprang into
the saddle, and waving to all an adieu
dashed off upon the road to Austin.


He related the whole matter to the
General, eloeueutly described the case,
and eutreated his favorable considera-
ton. The reply of the governor was
characteristic of the circumstances, and
he told his young messenger that the
beauty of the convict's daughter had
blinded and bewitched him, but finally
consented to ride over to Green Heart
Grove, and decide upon the matter by
personal observation.


General Austin repaired the next
day to the spot, and was received with
respectful courtesy by Martin Brown,
and his family, while everything at
once seemed to interest the General,
who nevertheless declared before start
ing, that strong case must be made