Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-01-04
From the N. X. MasieaI WorId aad Times. 1
THIS SIDE AND THAT.

| set--WsaIJ oI sWfkiug iopa aud nrnlQle6e
bellies. exchanging their small coin ofR1ttsry
and their endless genufexious--let ~ rc out
Of Broadway; somewhere anywhere. nm
round the wheel, Dame Fortune. aud Nv
up the other side.
"The Tombs y we never thought t6be
there; nevertheless, we are not to be fright
eued by grated door or stone wall, so we
pass in: leaving behind the SET wind Of this
Indian Summer day, to lift the Autumn leaves
as gently as does loving nufse her dropping
child.
| We gaze into the narrow cells. and draw
long breath. Poor creatures, tempted and
tried How many to whom the world SOW
pays its homage, who sit ia high places,
should be in their stead ? God knoweth
See them With their pale faess prcsssd MP
against the grated windows. orpscing up and
down their stone foors liked chained beasts.
There is little boy not more than ten years
old. what has he done?
Stolen pair of shoes!'
Poor child be never heard of "Swart-
wout." How should be know that be was
put in there not for stealing. but for doing
it on so small scale
Hist Do you see that figure seated in
the farther corner of that cell with bis hands
crossed on his kneess His whole air and
dress are those Of a gentleman. How came
such man as that here?
"For murder p
How sad! All. All. somewhere in the
length and breadth of the land mothers
heart is aching, because she spared the rod
to spoil the child.
There is coffin, untenanted as yet, but
kept on hand; for Death laughs at bolts and
fetten, and many poor wretch is borne
struggling within its gloomy walls. only to be
carried to bis last home, while none but God
may ever know at what Preside stands his va
cant chair.
And here is woman's cell. There are
two or three faded dresses hanging against
the walls. and bonnet, for which she has 1T
tie use Her friends have brought her some
bits of earpeting, which she has spread over
the stone floor. with her womanly love Of or
der (poor thing,) to make the place look
home-ike. And there is q crucifx in the
corner. Sec, she kneels before it May the
Holy Virgins blessed Son. who said to the
SHINING one. Neither do I condemn tbce,n
send into her stricken heart the balm Of holy
peace .fs.zs
Who is that? No! it cannot be--but
yet it is he and what wreck. See, be
sh-inks away. and a bright flush chases the
marble paleness from bis cheek. God bless
me. That R should come to this
Still lntemperance, with her thousand voices
crieth "Give give - and still, alas it is the
gifted, aud generous, and warm hearted, who
oftenest answer the summons.
More cells but there is no bed in them !;
only wooden platform raised over the stone
floor. IL is for gutter drunkards-too foul,
too loathsomc to be placed upon bed, and
turned in here like swine to wallow 10 the
same slough. Oh, how few, who, festively
slipping the rosy wine. say, my mountain
stands strong" e'er dream of such an end as
this.
Look there tread softly angels are near
us, Through the grated window the light
streams family upon little pallet where.
sweet as dream of Heaven, lies sleeping
babe Over its cherub face smile is fitting
The cell has no other occupant; angels only
watch the slumbers of the prison cradled-
The place is holy. stoop to. kiss its fore
head From the crowd Of women pacing up
and down The guarded gallery, one glides
gently to my side, saying half proudly. half
sadly, "Tis my babe"
at is so sweet, and pure and holy said T..
The mothers lip quivered; wipiug away a
tear with her apron. she said in q choking
voice
"Ab, it is little the likes of you, ma am,
know how hard it is for Us to get the honest
bread % M
God be thanked, thought l, that there is
one who 'judgeth not as man judgeth;" who
holdeth even the scales ofjustice; who weigh
eth against our sins the ,chirlpool of our
temptations; who forgetteth never the count
less struggles for the victory, ere the despond-
ing, weary heart shuts out the light of Heav-
emf FANNY FERN