Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-22

with an oath, and he was about TO lay rude
hands on her, when he looked in her face,
but was terrified by its expression of abstract
misery. 1t was evident the wretched wo-
man was wrapped in her own agonizing re-
Elections, 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 keeny sensitive,
her countcnance relaxing from its expression
of contemplative suffering, distrust, and So
licitation.
"Doyou know what you are confined for
Ellen" enquircd the Court.
81 do sir, | do" exclaimed the prisoner,
clasping her hands together, and looking as
nothing but deep misery and want can look,
" do sir, do. 1t is for stealing little
brass candlcstick and, Oh God-Oh God,
| wish had stolen and got of with it, for
fear that my dear little Dickey is dead, that
my poor little Ellen and Mary are crying
themselves to death over him."
Court--You acknowledge then, that you
attempted to steal the candeslck.
Prisoner-I do sir-kill me--hang me-
do what you like with me-but Oh! for
Gods sake send some one to look after my
children. -
Court-Wherc are your childrcn7
Prisoner-(looking wildly about herr
All that's it, that's i'll fear they are dead
and gone forever; for they had nothing to
wear, nothing to eat--no bed to lie en-and
Their poor mother in prison. OIL God,
wish had killed myself and them before it
came to this-ior then at all events would
have been with them to have comiortcd them
when they were dying.
Court-Poor woman, pity you, and will
have you comtorted.
Prsoner--You cannot comfort me unless
you bring me my children. The biggest is
only six years old, and they have eaten
nothing since Monday. Oh go, 90 quick,
for know my babies are dead or dying as
human nature cannot stand as much as they
we're called upon to suffer.
Court again ask you where we can find
them.
Prisoncr-Oi, sir, don't know how to
tell you, but could find i, out myself, for
its somewhere close at hand. They are in a
long dark hall, under stairs, where we have
lived for fortnight. For the sake of the
Father of mcrcics, worshp,-pcrmit me tc
SO ulNi tflciij anu ucuN VI diNS u IC-
turn, and let you do what you please whine
Here the poor creature threw hcrselfupor
her knees to imp!ore his worship for libcrt,
to go and look for her children, and AN Off.
Ger had been desired to attend her for tina
purpose, when a Waterman entered with al
infant in his arms, and two half naked trem.
bling little girls, the one abou, four and the
other six years old, holding on his coat. In.
stantly the prisoner sprung to her feet anc
rushed towards the Waterman, slricking
"Is Dick alive, o God, is Dick alive" sht
laughed Historically, claspcdt the infant wildly
to her bosom; and danced about the office
and throwing herself upon the form exhaus
ted, she took her other two half furnished in
fants in her lap, when they all commenced
laughing and weeping together.
Meanwhile the watcl,man had told his wor.
ship that the cldcs, girl had called his a,,cn
huddcd together under stair, evidently in
state Of starvation, and with nothing to cove
them other than the rags they had on.
Court--Now, Mrs. Barclay, since 20,
have got your children, will you answer m,
a few questionsl I'll have you and then
properly taken care of.
Paisoner-I will sir. I'll do any thin;
now; but o whatever you do with US, dom
part us again.
Court--Nevcr fear. How long have yo'
been in this city!
Prisoncr-About two months sir.
Conrt-llow have you supported voursel
in that time!
Prsoner-I hardly know sir, but We ca
very little. tried to get work, but no ON
would employ me, because they say loo
so shabby. then wen, to beg, but som
told me they would have me taken up: an,
others that | was drunk; though God knows
at the time was almost wild with starvation
and with hearing my poor infants crying 10
for food. And so sir, was driven on b.
sheer necessity until did the thing tina
brought me here.
Cour,-What brought You to New Yor
when you had no friends hcrc2
Prisoncr--l came to seek my husband sil
who deserted me six months ago for anothc
woman; but when found him he only hca
me; and VIII n told him that and my chill
drcn were starving, he said he wished W
were dead--and God knows so did |.
Poor Ellen then stated, that for scvc
years her husband and she lived very con,
d. tortably together in Albany, where they ha
oh kept "a little store, but that servant Gil
ed whom she had hired to take care of the chill
he dren, while she herself attended the store
rk had induced HIM to 90 of with her, and t
d. take every thing Of value he possessed alon
We with them. From that time she did nothin
of but pine away until necessity compelled he
an to 90 in search Of her husband, whom sl
ser knew to BE- in New York. And we hav
lie. heard the result. The complaint of the lal
ceny having been withdrawn, the unfortuna,
~ family were ordered to be taken care of, an
,ut will probably be handed over to the Con
or, missioncrs Of the Aims House this mornn
ok
he YOU COUNTING FOLKS LOOK or