The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 27, 1902, Page 13

- THE SUNDAY CALL, 13 ar pen 1 paper thought of Mis" Ashburn came with i suttin'y do worry me. Seem lak What If she didn’t believe her story abo i Bega iy me giving up her pension? g bout a week later she had all the dows open and was a Joshua aries’ big chair. As sh it out its place she glanced dow. There was a man with a hat and gray whiskers entering her gate. Somehow he seemed to know the ncuse, she thought. Through her miud ched the picture of Mis’ Ashburn start ing down town to do ‘‘some things for lierself.” She went to the door as the man_knocked and stood there speechless her duster in her hand. The man did nct keep her long in doubt as to the nature of his business. He took off his hat and came in in response to Sis’ Daphne's gesture. “You are Mrs. Brockett, are you not?" he asked. Sis’ Daphne shook her head She could not tell whether she meant it for yes or no. “I am a special exanu..er tor the pension department,” he went on, “and T have information through one of your neighbors that you were mar- ried on last June,~the 20th. You aave since sought to defraud the Government by swearing_that you are still the widow of the late Willlam Johnson, whose' pen- sion you are still receiving. You are liable to a term in the penitentia for the crime of perjury. Not content witl that you have got an estimable gentle- man, Mr. Alexander, into trouble, by inducing him on false representations to act as witness on your pension papers.” Sis' Daphne stared at him as she Jat in the chair. Then she began to moan with a rocking motion. She wrung.her hands and cried: ‘Yes, sir; Ise guity, but I did it all because I lubbed a no ‘count man. He wasn't satisfled with what he had, an’ I 'greed to try and keep my penshun for to make him mo’ comfortable. But Ise willlni’ to make all de preparation in meh powe: has ter go to de State’s prison,” ourst of tears, “des let me keep my man. [ lubs him now mo’ dan I did de day [ married him, do I belleb dat de luo ob money wid him am de root ob all ebil. He sho' don’' lub me like I lubs aim or he wouldn't ‘vise me lak he did. Deed, Mistah Xaminer, Ise willin’ fo’ to turn my papers ober to Mr. Alexan- der an’ swar on a stack of Bibles dat I done wrong ef you'll des keep me out ob de penitent “Well, Aunt T » I have always had good reports from you through Mr. Alexander, but it looks a pretty serions case for you. I can't tell but what your husband comes under the law, too. for I lave put you up to iv. The now is to tell you to re- port at Mr. Alexander's oifice when yous husband comes, and we will see what can be done. You can't plead ignoraace of the law, for you knew what you were doing. I hope may not go too severe- ly with you. And he picked up his silk hat and” was gone before Aunt Daphne could realize the affliction that had com to_her. Mis' Ashburn from her peephole saw her come to the door and look woeful Iy after him, then she heard her moan as she threw her apron over her head nd rocked back and forth in her cha'r. “Dat what she gets fo' Iyin’ ter me. do lse sorry fo’ Ashburn, as she started her supper. Meantime the world was changed fo Si Daphne Brockett, and she herself wa. another person. She seemed to see Wil liam Johnson as on the sick beu from which he nev up and listened t last words, which seemed to float n the air around her—“Daphne, I leaves you mah pe It cost me meh lif Doan’ you T part wid it.” Strang- and horrible because of another ma and the hat she had put those words away from her, she was now criminal. What would Joshua Charles say? Then her anger rose against him. “Dat nigger a Mis’ Ashburn am de primeval caus of all dis heah trouble. He wid his 1 fo’ noney, an’ she wid her jealousy I foun’ a man fust > on dat Brockett, .t meh penshun means to me. Ef dat man hadn’t been good ter me_and done had such a 'flooence ober me, I'd leab him t morrer. But he won't feel so big w'en he knows dat dey mought sen’ him to jail fo’ bein’ "cessory to de fac’. Da’ wa't dat Lord he'p us to pray. I see de Inside ob no peniten- tiary. I great min' to pack up my cloe's and git outen heah.” Then she had an- other spell of weeping and wailing that lasted well into the night. Sleep and the pillow of Mrs. Joshua Charles Brockett were strangers that night. The next day she sat like a stone in her chair all da crushed by the weight of the contempl tion of her crime and the probable con- sequences. Mis' Ashburn knocked, but got ho answer and went away curious, Another sleepless night and more tears were Sis’ Daphne’'s portion. The next night Mr. Brockett was ex- pected home. In the morning she saw the postman passing. He stopped at her door, and Aunt Daphne felt a sudden limpness come over her. They knew it in Washington, then, and this was perhaps her sentence. The envelope bore a flmfl— jar handwriting, but her hand trembled a what tu'ned out fo deceasemer It now sence he seems lak an 3 so that the postman opened it for he It was from Alexander. It read: “Dear Mrs. Brockett, I would llke to see you at my office on busine: Aunt Daphne turned sick and faint. Her face twitched, but she went on to the next line. “I am sorry you did what you did, but Mr. Jones, the pension examiner, seems to think that you were incited to the crime of perjury.” (What a dreadful sounding / datr ne was in ge same too, To' 1 makes up my min’ to gIb Up Dy, and $12 a month seemed a little Thing. took Mr. Brockett away again in pursult hand and swear the words stuck In word that was' 1 telegraphed your usband was an’ he say i an’ meh in'epen’ence bof ~ Three months rolled around again and of his tips and arduous duties as a porter. Daphne’'s throat and she dropped the How I know dat I done swar to dem comp’ case to Washington, having written when dat he n’ to 'blige you by actin’ tir I des gwine out to de when they all went to Mr. Alexander’s The last thing he sald to Daphne was, PEible as she went to kiss it. But -h’ 1 first heard of it, and I am happy to tell . as yo Je am very bu W to meet Mistah Brockett. He office to sign and send away their pension “That twelve dollars a month was worth thought of her husband, and what Mis' yoy that possibly things may not come smiled as he fo' he am a portah in de employmen’ ob »me o'ange blossoms out in papers Mis' Ashburn could have sworn keeping in the fambly, meh deah Daphne. Ashburn would say if she found her out, out for you as badly as I at first feared. was a client that ge Pullman Company.” to'y dat he want to show me. that Sis’ Daphne Johnson's hand trem- I may be kep some time in New York dis and she took the oath. Then she went His ~ gig' Dapl forgot her pe; Through the influence of Judge Taylor, fon papers would you do ef you was whar bled as she kissed the book after swear- trip an' ef 1 ain heah next pension day home and cried. What a pity that Pull- who said you used to belong to him be- wa > told when she Mistah Brockett her ing that she had not ‘‘remarried since de you des goes down late an’ tell de agent man porters, who had a plenty, should fore the war, it has been decided not to hns a branch 1d as he was introduced Daphne, I do’ no,” replied death of her late husband.” About two dat you ole witnesses am sick an’' you think so much of twelve dollars a month. make an example of you provided you re- flice Francisco. told a crony afterward 3 rn cautiously. *I seed fum Weeks afterward, just as Mis' Ashburn gwine get new ones. Don’ say nuffin’ Somehow she seemed to feel that Joshua fund al thd money you have drawn since him for she “don’t b'lieb dat Daphne John- ge bery fust dat Mistah Brockett done 80t to ser peephole at the window, she ‘bout it to Lavinia Ashburn. You kin get Charles did not give all his love to her. your marriage. I would like te see your- e r vould ha-' ) indifferen’ to men folkses as she struck you' fancy. But, chile, ef I was 8aw a carriage drive away from Mis' ole Oliver Cornick what am just come out But things went along all right in the gelf and husband at my office at your f might cost her out.” W - which othe: 3 you, I would keep meh penshun. In my Johnson's door. “I belleb’ dat fool ‘oman heah fum Virginia fo' ono witness. He am next few weeks. Her check came, and Indecd, when at the party given by the ‘sinjon, you neber can mahry but once has done git married,” was her mental too deaf fo' to heah any reports anyhow.” when Mr. Brockeit got back she almost “Af’ Ame’ican Sons and Daughters of Ju- fum de heart nohow, an' seem lak de comment. “I reckon she done gib up her But when her husband got away ceased to think that she had done any- You can understand that yow have no fur- dah” a few nights afterward Sis’ Daphne n' count. 'You don’t tole meh Dension fo' she too hones’ to try to keep Daphne began to think over the game he thing criminally wrong. In fact so plaus- ther use for nor claim fo them. I bear Sptn M poshua Charles Brocket!: you' papers didn’ hab to go to Washing- Il Onless” as a thought struck her, had persuaded her to play, and she was ible did the specious arguments of Joshua fou mo Ul will concerninz the part you she Legan to think this was true herself. } earliest convenience, and please bring your voucher and certificate with you. secon’ o B o o ahar el : “dat teshionabl’ higger Brockett dons put b mar. Charles become, that when they were have made me play in this, but you must Mr. Brockett by his remarks and actions Lon n01ih wid de men f Bon wents th SmAhiness 1 her beld That evening ?aoatg:‘é?gfi‘t:mc%\:‘n?gb aoxi]:p:g?)ol:,dn dld shopping for furniture Daphne began to consider yourseif lucky to be let off so did all he could to strengthen this bellef, gy yp youw' penshun fo' a pore male She put on her best clothes and went over to her, and she couldn't swear on the think that a husband and a pension both easily. THOMAS ALEXANDER." and remarked when he left }}{” at Rer Crittur, 1 ain’ got nuffin’ to say. Look to Mis' Johnson's. Sis'’ Daphne was In Biple that it didn't, She was honest by Was & very desirable state of affairs. The postman had gone down the -treet{. e houTs oAt WEAl out de'scent ob dem o'ange blossoms ain’ White, and on the mantel in a bottle were nature if she wes black, and she remem- In due time Mr. Brockett went off again leaving Sis' Daphne crying tears o s' Ashburn, w fved el v asuiong 1ne; a o strong £0° you."! tuck’ a cluster of orange blossoms. bered that her mother had always told on his trip and Daphne was left to her thankfulness in the doorway. Then, as over to borrow Sis < s s D ohnso » Joshua Charles Brockett was sitting in p “the bracicest chile am some- own reflections and rearranging her she went in she thought of Joshua Charles “fc akin ot el Davhne '!\'r)m‘r%i";su;me?—og:a{ongi the big rocker “‘des lak he had tuk root,” u:xl;e;’?ott de whites' disisition.” Hers yas house. She noticed that Mis'° Ashburn and she gave vent to her thoughts “That k. They were simple, but somehow &S Mis' Ashburn confided to a neighbor changing color, she began to think. Sup- did not come over so frequently as Digger Sntaete ,‘,’fi,"v‘,"{{." o' e duto E cd to ve a ' suggestion ‘in later. pose Mis' Ashburn should meet her at the formerly, but thought it was because of I sy priglh v PO Did_a s 1 marriage count, or , "Ml Ashburn, I wants to introduce you office? She never heard of any ome who the fact that she had been living for the o meet him at ¢ g T T T g u‘r‘ns 't 1t? She wanted hers to count, poor, t0 meh husband, Mr. Brockett,” sald Bis' got married again who was able to keep summer as nurse in a family out in the trow ooy P "t"’n;’ bl = mple soul, but at the same_ time she Daphne somewhat nervously. "I done tole their pension. In fact, down in Virginia, Western Addition. One day she cameover davs in de Newnited States prison, dat " W to her door dressed in her most coquet- wanted to keep her pension. But if her Mr. Alexander dat day we'n we was down nobody wanted & man when they had a and said that she had a holiday and was ?"‘w Up my penshun des fur him, a trifttn Mis' Wil- ish array, with lavender ribbons flying, papers didn't have to go to Washington dere dat I gwine get him to sen’ my stifi- pension. She looked at herself curiously golng down town to do some thlngs for IK Al man. T aiot Swiee 1l MSE sybout case LR werland that went out two weeks be. how would the pension office know Cate and my voucher to Washington an’' In the glass. “You's jes' a plain, , herself. “Lawsy, Sis' Daphne. dis heah's NESRR man. %aty swine tefl bt - AN e must be back from New York. Then whether she remarried? Right here the Infohm the commissioner dat I done foun' proad, black ‘oman, nigh on to ‘bout fif: moughiy pretty 'new furnitire. Doan' gaf letter I got fum Mr. Alexander, but he mever left her post until Mr. Brockett devil, through the words of Miss “Ash. S0me one dat am mo’ valable to me dan ty,* she said. “Huccum a man fo lak you miss you' pension money we'n you's I,fell him wat dat man called Bim, a 2 his pew uniform with silvery buttons burn, entered into the heart of Sjs' money, an’ I takes myse'{ off the Gober- yoy so much you mighty nigh swear your- & buyin’ dese tings? I heard somebody penitentiary am de place fo' dem kin’ o n hook Wwas safely inside the door. Things went Daphne Johnson. Suppose she married Ment’s list of 'spenses. Doan’ you think ge'f out of heaven fo' him?’ But it was say dey thought dey seed you in Mr. Ai- c yre of you After that Mis' Ashburn, who had a eat habit of sitting at her front window with her eye glued to a phole in the paper old-fashioned blinds, knew at w}!on in Miz the afterncons Mis' Johnson would come Y ke the ‘dlesions on this way for a couple of months more (and kept her pension, too? She would 1 dome right?” with a melting look at tog late to turn back now. exander's office late on last signin’ day, Pussens. T lubs him, ‘but he ain’ swine T et hand®ene and then Mis' Johnson exploded a bomb- sce what Mr. Brockett thought might be Joshua Charles. On pension day, September 4, she took but I tole emit couldn’been’caseIknowed ., Gan I gits a chance I won't furgit per TERL nand and Chell one morning on her neizghbor's door- the consequence: But what should ‘“Co’se, an’ I done 'gratulate you wid all old Oliver Cornick and told Mr. Alexander ycu done gib up you' pension.” Daphme & Yol 4 Fii8 B CTEBNE & UOWE SR step. she do if they were found out? She meh heart,” sald Mis’ Ashburn. ““Money with a voice that sounded strangely to made some reply, but her heart jumped any 'fundin’ to be dome ob dat money “I 'bout made up my min’ to gib up would certainly lose her pension and ain’ nothin we'n it comes to 'fection no- herself that she could not get Mis’ Ash- in her mouth. After Mis' Ashburn had Gru: 7 drawed, dat Brockett! gwine pay . w meh penshun, Mis' Lavinia,” she remark- perhaps her husband, too, if they how. You knows w'at I tole you bout Lurn that day for she was sick, which Bcne she sat and thought. Maybe she'd ed, looking steadily away from her neigh- it. ded to punish her. Was Jt Worth try- de orange blossoms, honey. Dis heah hLappened to be the truth, and that her better take the matter into her own '‘yp 8 ok A bor. -“Mistah Brockett he done foun' out § How' came an honest woman like cake an' wine moughty fine. I comin' frem, Mr. Brockett, was away. Cotld he hands and go down and tell Mr. Alex- B o e e de state ob his feelin’s fo’ me, an’ I 'low her to even think of such a thing? She ober to-morrer an' 'xamine you frock. find another witness fo' her? “You knows ander the true state of affairs. She the, iamnacrs Saw, 4 perty Diack, mos dat_he seem ter me ter be a moughty forgot all these reflections for some time Mistah Brockett, you is the luckies’ man 1 isn't married, doan’ you?"' she , finally decided to wait till Brockett came pert IUSt P 10 CR€, DeRt lOONAS o riah . deelahable man. He say he ruther hab after Joshua Charles met her at a shady in dis heah town.” And Mis' Ashburn turning ashy under the pink roses. “Cer- home and use her powers of persuasion & legal looking dceument under his nose Johnson as mc dan de whole penshun offis, and dat littie side path. When they started home went home to get her hat and spread it tainly, Aunt Daphne,” returned Mr. Alex- With him to do so. 'Ise getting’ tired 0b ind disappear with him toward the street kett—and he got a plenty fo' bof ob u I ain't ae afternoon he had hold of her down the block that “8ls’ DZ\})h‘nc John- znder heartily, ‘'l know you are.too hon- dis )‘:Esh"fl rr;’ anht ying to keep my car gesticulating wildly all the time. It ewhat grandly done tole him w'at I gwine do erbout . and on the car everybody smiled son done gib up her penshun an' married est to try and cheat the Government like penshun,” she thought. was Aunt Daphne, giving Joshua es am.ipot B e 3¢t fo' I beliebs In keepln a‘snan snxigus it openly and calied her a man. that. 1 will witness for you myself. Two or three times she thought of it Brockett the beginning of his punishment fohm. Mistah fo' a little bit. Ise got to steadv some. 2 ne.’’ Mt she was han- In the next few weeks the overland When the time came to raise her right during the next week. and each time the for his avariciousness. r