The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-09-03
miscellaneous.
An Hour I'm tho PennemrIary.

During our s%ojourn in Philadelphia,
last summer, we one day accepted an in
%vltstion TO visit the ~Peniientiary. there.
We had letters to the kind hearted War.
den' Mr.. scattergood, IA most appropriate
name blythe way) who extended TO us
all the courtesy we could have desired.
We were conducted through the Prison,
and in company with Mr.. s., we entered
several of the cells. The Superinten.
dent learning we were from Boston. in.
formed US that a prisoner was confined
there. for passing counterfeit money, who
hailed from Massachusetts. He had
been there some two or three years, and
we found him a very intelligent man.
His cell was exceedingly clearly, and up
On a little table in the corner, we discov-
cred several standard books. a bible, &c.
which gave evidence of being thoroughly
read by the prisoner. He was said to
be very industrious. and certainly APP
peared very comfortable under the cir
cumstances His name was George.
tie remarked that he was very glad 10
see any n from Boston, and seriously
regretted that he should have been one
of the few Bostonians. comparatively,
who had disgraced the honored name Of
the "Old Bay State" He was happy,
apparently, and as we parted, we shook
his hand, and remarked that it was pos
sible we might call on him again, in a
few weeks. "You will be sure, sir, TO
find me al home," said he with a smile, as
we left the door ofhis cell.
AS we entered the reception room once
more, a bulky despatch was handed 10
the Warden by one of his deputies, and
upon opening it, he informed US that it
was a pardOa for one Of the ]convicts.
We inquired ifit would encroach upon
the prison rules, under such circumsian.
ces, to accompany the Warden TO the cell,
while he should read it 10 the prisoner,
and were kindly informed that we could
join him. We soon reached the cell,
where we found a fresh faced young man,
of perhaps t%wenty-ffour who was busily
engaged at a little loom, weaving.
GOOD morrow. John" said the war
den blandily, as we entered.
Good morning, Sir"
"Thee keeps busy joint"
20, yes Sir-but it's very dull"
docs thee tire of work, joint"
mo Sir-but ] think Of home"
"And thee would like to visit home
once more2"
ooh, Sir-ifI could but dc SOL
"And thee would not return again1"
II would try to deserve better, Sir"
"Well, John, what would thee say, if
should tell thee l had pardon for theel'
"Oh, Sir, suchnews would be too good"
"But thee would like to hear in"
81 care not for myself, so much said
the poor prisoner, and tears filled his
eyes-"butfo for my wife and child, l would
be happy
"And thee would shun wicked compa-
ny, John?"
"Oh yes-and l would labor for my
wife and little ones."-
"Well, John, here is thy pardon" con-
tinued the good old man-and he read
the document which freed this unfortu.
nate being, who had been the dupe OF
other knaves. We had the pleasure Of
seeing him released, after a three year:
confinement, and of learning that he join.
ed his young family, to whom he has since
been a faithful guardian.
We passed out to the ante again
where we encountered a newcomer,
who had just reached the prison as We
entered. He had bean sent up for five
years, on a charge acknowledgements.
He was elegantly attired in the latest
style of fashion, and possessed all the
nonchalaace and devil-may care appear,
ance of a gen;eel rowdy. He twirled
his watch chain, looked particularly know.
ing at a couple of ladies' who CHANGED to
be present and seemed utterly Indifferent
about himself or the predicament he was
placed in! The Warden read his com.
mitment, and addressed him with
"Charles l am sorry to see thee here
at can't be helped, old fellow"
"What is thy age, Charles2"
"Twenty.three."
"a Philadelphian7"
"Well-kinder, and kinder not"
"Thee has disgraced myself, sadly"
"Well, | amt troubled, old cock"
"Thee looks not like a rogue"
matter ofopinion!"
"Thee was we'll situated"-
"Yes-well enough
"ln good employ"
"Well--so So"
"And thee has parentsl"
"Yes-"
perhaps thee hast a mother, Charlesl'
The convict had been standing during
this brief dialogue perfectly unconcern
ed and reckless, until this last interroga
tory was put. Had a thunderbolt struck
him he could not have fallen more sudden
than he did when the name of mother
fell on his ear. He sank into a chair 6
torrent oftears gushed from his eyes the
very fountain ofhis heart seemed to have
burst, on the Instant. He recovered par
tially-and said imploringly to the War
DON
Don't you, Sir--for Gods sake don
call her name in this dreadful place! d.
what you may with me, but don't men
ton that name to mel"
There were tears in other eyes beside
the prisoners, and an aching silence per
vaded the group who surrounded the an
~fnrtunafa ~convict y y y Tho hlacl