Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-02-14
Story Of a sisters Love.

I A few days ago was at the State Prison
at Sing Sing, whereI heard the facts am
about to relate. They furnish as touching
an instance of devotion as / have lately met,
and they show us that in the humnlest walks
even in the atmosphere Of vice and crime
they may flourish some of the pIrest pas.
sions, that ought to win our charities and
make US respect the poor.
A young man of Nova Scotia came tc
the city of New York and fell among thieves
He became the companion of criminals
perhaps criminal himself. Certainly he
was arrested on charge Of crime, was
tried, convicted and sent to the prison al
Sing Sing. Ia Ill ~
His sister in Nova Scotia heard of the
fate Of her brother, and resolved to secure
his deliverance from prison. She was on.
y servant girl, and her scanty purse was
barely sufficient to defray her expenses
through the long journey to the city
When she reached New York, she learned
that the only way to get her brother out Of
prison was by pardon from the Governor
OF the State, and he was at Albany. She
had no means to employ counsel to aid hel
in making the application, nor even the ii.
tie that was necessary to pay her own way
to the feet Of the governor. She went te
service in the city and worked faithfully
till she had earnedmoney enough to defray
her expenses to Albany, and was soor
there, a stranger. young, unprotected NO.
man, with no other recommendation thar
that Of having brother in the State Pris.
on. She inquired the way to the house Of
the governor, obtained an audience, and
then with all the eloquence Of love so long
spent in her own bosom, she made known
her request. The governor said that he
must have some reason for granting the
pardon, or he could not interfere. q go 81
But my brother is an innocent man,
said the girl, who had never for moment
INDUCED the thought that he could have
been guilty Of crime. The governor want
ed something more than her word for it,
and giving her The small comfort Of words
of sympathy and kindness, SER. her away
to devise ways and means to prove inno-
cence Of her imprisoned brother. 81
She returned to New York, and finding
place, again resumed her domestic SER
vice, and indefatigably labored, as time and
opportunity allowed to accomplish what
was now the great end Of her life. And
what. will not perseverance and love
achieve? Hopeless as the attempt might
appear, she found the men who composed
the jury that convicted her brother, and
obtained the name Of every one Of them to
petition setting forth mitigating circum-
stances in his case, and asking the interpo-
sition Of executive clemency in his behalf.
With this petition the devoted sister har-
ried to Albany, and full Of hope she pre-
sented it to the governor1 He was moved
by the intensity of her purpose and the ar
dent strength Of her affection. But he still
hesitated. i1.' ~ 'ts#i i
'Why,' said she, you must pardon my
brother. Ishall never leave you until you
do. shall Just say here and pray, for
ever; and il you wish me to so away you
must pardon him and | will bless you, and
God will bless you the, longest. day you
i've Her prayers and tears so far pre-
vailed, as to extert a promise that he would
make immediate enquiries into the case
and if they were satisfactory he would
transmit the pardon by certain day, which
he named, through the mail to the prison
at Sing Sing. 9a7u G. .t1s9 N
Once more the noble hearted girl re-
turns to her work and waits for the slow
weeks to wear away. But they flew fast
er when she thought that the time Of hel
brothers liberty drew near. This was tc
be the reward Of her toll and suffering.
On the very day which the governor had
named, the constant sister makes her APP
pearance at the door Of the prison at Sing
Sing and informs the keeper that she had
come former brother. who on that day Yves
to be pardoaed by the governor. She was
told that no pardon had been received
Her heart sank within her. Was she af-
ter all to be disappointed? But the gov
ernor said he would send it by the post
and it would be here to day. He will keep
his promise, know he WILL The keep.
er was struck with her appearance and
deeply interested in her manner. He told
her to come in and he would send to the
pOSt &pOulCes sVVttsSo SalS messenger was
gone, she walked the room in great agita.
ton, trembling between hope and fear, and
when the word was brought that there
was no pardon, she protested that It would
come, and she should not leave the prison
until it did. The Nnd-heafted keeper
took her to his house, and permitted her to
stay there waiting the arrival Of the gov.
ernor' ; letter. The next day it cane--th,
pardon cdsse-and she embraced her broth.
er free, and freed by his sisters sacrifice
and love. li9easiH ms siaA3' sis-t s''s.s = +
The pardon was accompanied by letter
from the governor to the prisoner, urging
him in strong and impressive language e
conduct himself hereafter in q manner
worthy Of the noble sister Of whom he hat
reason to be proud and to whose self-de.
nying and persevering efforts he was in.
debted for liberty. The brother and sistel
rejoicing in their Reunion and the boon o
freedom 50 joyfully won, took their wal
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