Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-21
An Hour In the nstensssry.

the penitentsry, !here. We had letters 10 the
kind,hesrted warden, Mr.. Scattergood, "a most
appropriate. name, BY the wsy.) who extended
TO ms all the courtesy we could have desired.
| We were conducted through the prison, and in
company with Mr.. 8. we, entered seyers. oftbe
cells. The superinte ndept learning we. we're
from Boston, informed us ths. a pri-oner was
confined there. for passing counterfeit money,
who hailed from Massachusetts. He had been
there two or three year, and we found hin, a
very intelligent man. ilis cell was exceeding.
ly cieany. and upon tho table in the corner, we
discovered several standard books, a Bible. &c.
which gave evidence Of having been thoroughly
read by the prisoner. lie was eaid 10 be very
industrious. and certainly appeared comfortable.
under the circumstances. His name was Geo.
-. He remarked that he was very glad to
see any one from Boston, and seriously regret
ted that he should have been one Of the few
i5ostbnians comparatively. who had disgrsced
the honorcd name Of the "Old Bay State, lie
was happy, apparently. snd as we parted. we
shook his hand, snc remarked that it was posi-.
Die we might call upon him sgain, in q few
weeks You will bs sure, sir. to find me at
home said he, with q smile, as we left the door
Of bis cell!
| As ve entered the reception room once more.
4 bulky despatch was handed to the warden by
one Of his deputies, and upon opening il lie in.
formed US that it was . pardon for one Of The
convicts We enquired il il would encroach
upoo the prison rules, under such circums,an-
he should read il to the prisoDee, and were kind.
ly informed that We could Join him, We. soon
reached the cell, where we sound q fresh-iaced
young msn, Of perhaps twenty -four, who was
busi!y engaged at little Ioom, weaving. si-I
Good morrow. Johu.' said the warden. -
'GUod morning, sir 1''' ''''']'"' '.'t
Thee keeps busy. John =
%. yes, sir--but it's very dull ''
Does thee tire Of work. John = .--''
No, sir-but J think Of home
.Aud thee woald like 10 vis,t home once
more!s .,s f.-sss.r, sff .I i.... ,,,Ir,x ,-1is4
| 5'Oh, sr--if could but do so.'----,. s.fs,,r
And thee would no, return aga,np ,.t
! Il would try 10 deserve better, sir l.l s-a.
'Wen. John, wbn. would thee say, # I should
tell thee had pardon for thee r. ,.,. a' b
oh, sir such news " ouId be ton good. r
But thee would like TO hear ir .'
Il care moi f;m myself 70 much,' raid the poor
prisoner, anS tears filed his eyes-but for my
wife and child, would be so happy ''.-
And thee would shun wicked company
JohO = t..-.l. .,,..4.......... .... .,..
oh yes--snd would labor for my wife and
little one .,.s .D,,..a ,t.,f,.,,
'Weli, John, here is thy ldon.' continued
the good old man--aad he read the document.
which freed this unfortunate being. who had
been the dupe OF other knaves. We had the
pleasure ot seeing him released. after three
years confinement and of learning that he JON.
ed his young family, to whom he has since been
faithful guardian. 'i 'a s1 eal 1876 s'5-aofI
We passed QUITO the ante.room again, where
We encountered q new conner, who had Just
reached the prison as we re.entered. He had
been sent up for FIVE years, on charge of eu,.
bezzemcnt.
lie was elegantly attired in the latest style
of fashion, and possessed all the nonchalance aud
deyil-De-care appearance Of genieel rowdy.
lie twirled his watch chain, looked particularly
knowing at a couple Of ladies' who chaaced In
be present. and seemed utterly indifferent about
himself or the pred aicament 10 wa, plncsd in. -
/ Ia taa d.li