Litchfield enquirer., 1840-10-15
From Ghe W. r. EUening Tattler. CENTTINE WRETCHEDNESS.

ing brass candleStick worth about two shil. lings. She sal apart from the other prison CTS, and appeared to be deeply stricken with poverty and sorrow. It was evident, howev- CT, that she took no interest in her present position, nor cared for the disgrace or incone venience she might bc subjected to, but that her sorrows had deeper root, and that her heart (alas what a wreiched heart was that,) was elsewhere. She sighed continual ly, but her Sighs were suppressed as lt she didn't wish them to be overheard; and her eyes were red and hard with weeping, and she would have wept still, but that she had no tt arS to shed. She was beyond that. The poor creature's hair was loose and ragged, and looked as if she might have torn hand ful of it away in her paroXisns her Wrlnk- led brow and haggard eye gave evidence of much mental suffering, and her pInched up, attenuated nose and chin, and hollow skinny cheek, told but too plainly that stark famine had almost done it's worst upon her, for she was so much wasted, that there could be but little further effected by the grave and the worms. Her dress consisted of an old tat tered gown, and that was all for the rents here and there made it but too evident that she had no inner garment, and she was also deficient in shoes and stockings. God help her, much as we are used to scenes of pover- ty and misery, we did not think there was so forlorn being in existence, or even that being could exist and be so forlorn. Her name was Ellen Barclay.
 The Court having disposed of some three or four trifing cases, called Ellen Barclay, but received no answer. Don't you hear his worship call ? said watchman. Still no answer. 'D-n you, get up,' added the watchman, and he was about to lay rude hands on her, when he looked in her face, but was at once subdued and almost terrified by its expression of abstract misery. It was evident the wretched woman was wrapped up in her own agonizing reflections, and that she was not aware of what was passing around her.
 Being at length aroused to knowledge of her position, however, her fit of abstraction forsook her, and she became keenly sensi- tive; her countenance relaxing from its ex- pression of contemplative suffering, and as- Suming a mingled air of eagerness, distrust, and solicitation.
 Do you know what you are confined for, Ellen 2 inquired the court.
 I do, sir, do.' exclaimed the prisoner, clasping her hands together, and looking as nothing but deep misery and want can look. T do, sir, do. It is for stealing little brass candlestick; and, Oh! God Oh God l wish had stolen and got off with it, for l fear that my dear little Dicky is dead, and that my poor little Ellen and Mary are cry ing themselves to death over him.
 Court You acknowledge then, you at- tempted to steal the candlestick.'
 Prisoner-'I do sir-kill me-hang me- do what you like with me-but Oh for God sake, send some one to take care of my chil- dren.'
 Court- Where are your children!'
 Prisoncr-O looking wildly about her) An. that's it, that's it-I fear they are dead and gone, dead and gone for ever; for they had nothing to wear, nothing to eat-no bed to lie on-and no one to look after them-and their poor mother in prison. Oh God, l wish had killed myself and them before it came to this-for then, at all events, would have been with them to have comforted them when they were dying
 Court Poor woman, pity you, and will have you comforted.' a.
 Prisoner-' You cannot comfort me unless you bring me my children. The biggest is only six years old, and they have eaten noth- ing since Monday. o go, go quick, for know my babies are dead or dying, as hu- man nature cannot stand so much as they were called upon to suffer- .'
 Court-'I again ask you where we can find them' s..
 Prisoncr-'O O, sir, I don't know how to acll you, but could find it out myself, for it's somewhere close at hand. They are in a large hall, under stairs, where we have lived for fortnight. For the sake of the Father of Mercies, your worship, permit me to go and find them, and, dead or alive, I'll return, and let you do what you please with me-
 Here the poor creature threw herself on her knees to implore his worship for liberty to go look tor her children, and an officer had been desired to attend her for that purpose, when the door opened. and a watchman en- tered with an infant in his arms, and two half naked trembling little girls, the one about four, and the other six years old, hold ing on by his coat. Instantly the prisoner sprung to her feet and rushed towards the watchman, shrieking, Is Dick alive, o God, is Dick alive 2 and on finding that he was alive, she laughed hySterically, clasped the infant wildly to her bosom, and danced about the office and then throwing herself upon the form exhausted, she took her othep two half famished infants in her lap, when they all commenced laughing and weeping together.
 Meanwhile the watchman had told his worship that the eldest girl had called his at- tention to the children, and that he found them huddled together under stnirs evi- dently in a state of starvation, and with noth- ing to cover them other than the rags they had on. .
 Court Now, Mrs. Barclay, since you have got your children, will you answer me few questions, and I'll have you and them properly taken care off
 Prisoner-'I will. sir. I'll do any thing now, but O whatever you do with us, don't part us again.
 Court. Never fear. How long have you