Litchfield enquirer., 1839-04-25

| Come kiss me- sald kobbln gently sald N0;
For my mother forbade me to play with men 60"
Tho my looks pretty plainly advised him to stay.
Silly swain, not at oil recolecting-not he,
That his mother neer said, that ne must not kiss me-
A Prison Scene:-As one Of our citizens
was recently journeying homeward from the
commercial metropolis, he stopped, for an
hour or two, at Auburn. Empeifed by mo-
tlves OF curiosity, he repaired to the State
Prison, and went the usual rounds, with the
view of contemplating in his low estate one
whom he had known and moved with in
palmy days of proud and golden prosperity,
but who was now within these gloomy walls,
| convict felon, condemned to years of silent
toll, side by side with villains of every hue
of crime. Ina secluded part Of the immense
building he found the object of his search at
tired in the coarse parti-colored convict
dress, soiled and dirty, his hair cropped close
ly to his head, and his small, yet dignified.
form, bent painfully over his task. His coln--
tenance was deadly pale, save where. upon
each check, small deep hectic spot told the
troubled working of his unquiet mind, while
his unshaven chin, with beard of weeks
growth, contrasted strangely with his high
marble-like forehead and altered features,
imparting a wildness 10 his appearance,
which betitted the gloomy scene around. 1t
was Benjamin Ra.hbun, the, krger. He was
occupied in shaping the beechen blocks Of
which joiner's planes are made and steadily
wrought at his new employment, his delicate,
hands, unused to manual labor, plying bu-
silly and dexterously the tools Of his work
bench. AS the visitor gazed upon the sad
spectacle, through the narrow openings of
the dark passage from which the convicts
are watched BY The guards of the prison, un-
seen by the prisoners, another visitor stood
by, similarly occupied, who had been en-
ployed by the man they were contemplating,
as one of the superintendent OF his two thou
sand laborers, when engaged in carrying ON
his gigantic operations. The latter stood ST.
lently intent on the scene, until he burst into
| tears, and turned away. The irrepressible
| sympathies which arise in the human bosom,
often in defiance of the stern decisions of JUS
tice, and often lavished upon unworthy OBJ
| jects whom some redeeming traits have en-
deared to US, overpowered his feelings, and
he left the prisoner to the 'peopled solitude Of
that populous dungeon. ....-.t
Nor is it to be wondered at, that the hu-
initiation of this sometime 'Girard of the
West should produce, in the public mind,
a feeling of regret, mingled with the convic-
ton that the wholesome though harsh cor
receives of Justice, must be visited as we'll up
on the Hottest as upon the lowlest heads, that
are alike sheltered under the o'ercanopying
mgs of our laws. The conviction which
had settled upon almost every mind through
the influence Of friends, the ingenuity OF a.
bic counsel, and the quibbling technicalities
of law, he would, at the close Of his protract-
ed trials, ultimately escape conviction. had
prepared the community to expect such re-
suit and when the verdict which had linked
his name with infamy was finally recorded
the public, as we'll as prisoner and friends,
were taken by surprise, and scarcely believed
it real. IT was staggering blow at the high
hopes he had evidently cherished from the
close of the former trial, in this city, which
had resulted in his acquittal upon the indict-
ments on which it was founded. Placed a.
gain at liberty, after his long incarceration
for want of bail, he was once more actively
ranging the scenes of his former enterprises,
and planning busily for the future The am
bilious schemes which once more swelled
his restless bosom, and gilded the hitherto
darkened prospects of exstence-none but
himself and confidential friends can know.
But these budding hopes and bright anticipa-
lions were suddenly blasted, and stcrner vi
sions throngcd confusedly before him. His
ignominious doom, with its AFFECT toll, its
cureless, scathing shame-lay with sicken-
ing, deadly weight upon his heart.
Next came the prison scene, where, amid
the clank of letters, and the rattle Of chains,
ard the harsh grating Of dungeon doors, he
commenced the routine of his monotonous
task. And what maddening reflections have
been his, In the few weeks which have since
succeeded. What bitter, unavailing regrets
have dwelt, with constant and mournful
presence in his agitated breast What lone
ly warnings for the forfeited esteem and
confidence Of the wronged community in
which he had striven to build up his fame
And conscience, like reproving angel point
| : L.. Er,rp $<x hov .as hn,
through his waking hours, been silent yet
haunting monitor, whose mental scourgings
have been more terrible than the physical
ills which have borne upon his frame.
It is q sad lesson--the fate of Benjamin
Rathbun !-Bu6alo Com. Advertiser. ~
Plain Diet.-This is what children ought
to be accustomed to, from the very first. 1t
is vastly more for their present health and
comfort, than those little nice things, with
which fond parents are so apt to vitiate their
appetites and it will save them great deal
OF modification in after life. If you make it
point to give them the best of every thing;
TO pamper them with rich cakes, and sweet
meats, and sugar plumbs; if you allow them
TO say, with q scowl, IL don't like this. and
can't eat that and then 60 away and make
them little toast, or kill a chicken for their
dainty palatss, depend upon it you are doing
them great injury; not only on the score Of
DENYING them full muscle and a rosy cheek;
but of forming one of the most announcement
habits, that they can carry with them into
after life. Better, far. to put them upon wa
ter Cruel, or brown bread. till their appetite
comes, and they can be satisfied with such
food as others eat at the same table. Ifyou
learn your children to eat what is set before
them, asking no questions. they will always
find something, among whatever class Of eo-
pie they may afterwards DO thrown. upon