american tragedy

Chapter 31 (1)
Chapter 23 (1)
The Clyde Samuel Griffiths met at the Chicago United was no longer the Clyde he had escaped from Kansas three years before.He is 20 now, taller, stronger and more experienced than he used to be.After leaving his Kansas City home and old job behind, he experienced a series of hardships: low salary, dilapidated home, and wandering alone. What he lacked three years ago.Although he did not dress as well as he had in Kansas, there was something else that belied his upbringing.Although he can't make people fall in love at first sight, he is also likable.His rigorous and reserved style is very different from Clyde who climbed into a caravan and escaped from Kansas.

Since escaping Kansas City, he has struggled from various menial jobs to realize that he can only make his own life, and that his family can't help him.They are too strict.

Still, he couldn't help missing them terribly.I especially miss my mother.He thought she might be like him now, unable to control her own destiny, and reduced to a very miserable situation.He hated the way he had treated his mother; hated how suddenly things had happened to him in Kansas City; hated the loss of Hortense Briggs; hated all the troubles he had suffered over the years; hated his mother and all the misery that Esta had made him suffer.In short, he hated everything in the past.

After escaping, he arrived in St. Louis the next day.On a gray winter morning he was driven out into the snow when two train workers found him hiding in his car.The watch and coat were also taken away by the two workers.Later, he picked up a piece of "Star" published by Kansas City, and found that his worst fears had come true: there was a full column and a half of the page that published the facts of the car accident: an 11-year-old girl in Kansas City, Was hit by a car and died an hour later.The perpetrators, Sparser and Miss Cypour, are in hospital. The government has ordered their arrest and a policeman is waiting at the hospital.A famous brand car was destroyed, and Sparser's father, who was a ranch manager, was saddened and angry when he learned that his son had committed such a reckless crime.

What is even more unfortunate is that Sparser has been charged with theft and homicide. In order to mitigate the crime, he gave the names of all the passengers in the car, and even the address of their hotel. He also said that they were also guilty. Drive faster.Clyde also knew that what he said was true.During the interview, Mr. Kequels also told the police station and reporters the names of their parents and their family correspondence addresses.

The following is the reaction of their relatives when they learned of the incident.Tom Rattler's mother, Mrs. Ratterer, cried and said that her son was a good boy, and he would never do bad things on purpose; Too much wine. In his house, the "Zeen" reported that the mother stood there, pale and terrified, with hands that looked unnatural, as if she had fainted from fright, refusing to believe that her son had any part in it, saying that he must have Came back, explained things clearly, said there must be something wrong here.

But he didn't go back, and he didn't hear any other news after that.He was afraid of seeing the police, and also afraid of seeing his mother, seeing her desolate eyes.He hadn't written a letter to his family for several months, and he sent one later. It was just a few words of greeting, saying that he was fine, and please rest assured his mother.He didn't sign it, and he didn't write to the Correspondence Office.Later he wandered around, doing all sorts of errands in St. Louis, Bioria, Chicago, Milwaukee, washing dishes in restaurants, selling soda in a grocery store, working as a boy in a shoe store, everything, and getting caught. I've been fired, stopped business, and resigned from jobs.He sent back the money he saved, ten dollars, five dollars.After more than a year, he felt that the manhunt must have relaxed, and his part of the guilt might have been forgotten. He was working as a delivery truck driver in Chicago, making a decent living, earning fifteen dollars a week. In this case, he decided to write a letter to his mother.He could tell her now that he had a legitimate job and a stable life, though not by his real name.

He is now living in a boarding house in Polina Street.He wrote to his mother: Dear mother:

Do you still live in Kansas City? Write and let me know.I really look forward to hearing from you.I am very alone here.But don't worry, Mom, don't let anyone know where I am.I'm trying to start from scratch and it's going to be a hassle to let people know where I am.That time, I really did nothing wrong, not at all, not like the newspapers said.I just go with them all the way.I was afraid that others would punish me for this, so I dared not go home.I didn't do anything wrong, you and your father must not think about it.Someone invited me, Mom.I didn't encourage him to steal the car or drive fast, he stole the car himself to invite us.Maybe we were all responsible for running over that little girl, but we were all unintentional.From that moment on, I felt very sad.I'm the one who made you suffer! Moreover, I left you when you needed me the most.Mom, I hope you can forgive me.do you forgive me

I've been thinking about how you are now, and what's become of Esta, Julia, Frank, and Father.I want to know where you are and what you are doing.You are the clearest about my feelings for you, aren't you? I understand a lot now, and I have a different view on many things.I'm going to have a career.I want myself to be successful.My current job isn't as good as it used to be in Kansas City, but it's still passable.I hope to develop, but try not to go back to the hotel.For us young people, that line of work is not very good, it makes people arrogant.You see, I am more sensible than before.The people here are nice to me, but I need to get my footing first.Besides, the money I earn is only enough for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. I am trying to save as much as possible in order to squeeze into a certain industry, move forward step by step, and learn a little bit.In today's era, a person must have special skills, and I finally understand this.

Could you write me and let me know how you all are doing? I would love to know.If Frank, Julia, Papa, and Esta are still there, please send them my best wishes.I love you guys as much as ever, and you kind of love me, don't you? I don't want to sign my real name because it might cause trouble (I haven't used my real name since I left Kansas City).I will tell you about my other name, but it will not be used soon, and my real name will be restored.If you wish, you can send your letter to:

Chicago Post Office

harry turnett

I'll pick it up in a few days.I sign it like this so that I won't offend you, or me.However, as soon as I am more sure that the incident is over, I will certainly restore my original name.

love you forever

son
He drew a line where his signature should be signed, wrote the words "well-known but not known", and sent it out.

His mother had been worried about his whereabouts, so she wrote him a letter quickly.Denver postmark on the envelope.He was so surprised, he thought she was still in Kansas.The letter said:

Dear son:

When I received your letter, I was surprised and delighted to know that you are still alive and safe.I have been praying for you to return to that straight and narrow path that is the only one that can lead you to success; and God bless me with a message of your peace, which is now fulfilled.Thank God.

I don't blame you entirely for the misery and shame that you were involved in that disaster that caused you and us all to suffer so much.I know very well how the devil seduces and persecutes us ordinary people, especially children like you.Son, I hope you can understand why you must be vigilant so you don't fall into the trap.You still have a long way to go.Can you be careful from now on, and always abide by the precepts of the Savior? Mom, how I wish these precepts are deeply rooted in the hearts of you children! You can listen to the voice of the omnipresent Lord with your heart, and when you are leading to the beautiful world On the rough road to heaven, choose every step carefully? Promise me, child, promise me that you will always remember the teaching you received as a child, remember that "righteousness is strength".And, boy, don't drink wine of any kind, no matter who advises you.It was a world full of evil spirits, and the devil attacked the weak at any time.Remember what I have told you more than once: "Wine makes a man profane, but strong drink makes noise." I pray with the most devout hearts that these words will ring in your ears whenever you are tempted by the devil.Because I believe that this is the root cause of that tragedy.

I was tortured for that, and it was time for a big test for Esta.I almost lost her.How miserable she was! Poor Esta, she paid too much for her sins.We had a lot of debt and it took a long time to pay it off.Things are better now.

As you probably know, we live in Denver now, we have a church of our own, and a house where the whole family lives.Also, we have a few rooms to let, and Esta manages that.Also, Esta is now Mrs. Nixon and has a lovely little boy.This little guy always reminds your father and me of you when we were kids.Some of his actions are indistinguishable from yours, which makes us feel that we are with you as a child again and get a little comfort.

Frank and Julia were old enough to help with the work.Frank made a little money by delivering newspapers in a neighborhood.What Esta meant was to try to keep the two of them in school as long as possible.

(End of this chapter)