Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-09-01

HIS MOTHER S IN THERE.

a group Of little boys and a few girls were at
play on the front steps aud in the heavy granite
porch of the Tombs. 1t was q delightful day.
Now and then a fash of sunshine fell over a part
of this merry group, lighting their faces with u
beauty you would hardly expect to find there at the
first glance.
Somehow it panied me! Those children there,
and at play! They were ragged, barefooted and
bareheadcd, some of them; but they were chill
dren-they were not all bad. They played good
naturedly and one felt that a pure love-angel
nestled yet in every little heart, bidding it love
everything lovable. Then why should they play
there ?
had just como from the country where children
could sport on the green hill-sides, and this was
such a contrast. 1t called up visions of childish
jewellers among the rugged hills of New England,
looking down upon us with radiant faces, as we
flee past them in the cars-Of one group of little
girls with their dolls, standing OUT against the sky
IN beautiful relief. like SO many inspired Cassan-
dras prophesying of a swift coming innocent future 4;
one little girl holding out her doll and evidently
bidding II look at us as We passed, in earnest faith
in its ability and its obedience and of n group of
boys a short distance beyond, with sheep and lambs
in the back ground-the boys so intent on Il game of
bali that 1t was with reluctance that they could stop
and give n parting hoora," with an destinations
flourish OF hands and hats. All that was delightful.
This was chilling. 1t almost seemed as though the
two or three men standing near ought to send these
H'NN'0 t'o' Hf~N'fJ W. AINib - paw n kulN. \ l
reminded me Of butterflies gathered around a
staGnant pool and sucking up miaSma when there
is plenty OF clear running water only a little way
off.
Then these children seemed to liken themselves
to the delicate green and bright tinted MOSES, that
Will sometimes grow up over a messy pool, trying
to make it look beautiful, but only causing the
heart to turn away sadly at seeing beauty and
ugliness 50 closely associated.
walked slowly around that square, massive
prison, feeling for it a kind Of fascination it would
be ditieult to defne. When again in Centres.
two boys came down the front steps and walked on
before me, hating upon the corner.
lis this ! pleasant place to play in, boys?" ]
asked.
"This?" said one little fellow, looking inauir.
ingly up and down the street and then resting
his eyes on mine rs if at a loss to understand the
question.
Here !-yonder!" I replied, pointing to .he
children on the steps.
The child dropped his eyes; his naked toes
worked neryously on the pavement, and HE whole
figure seemed to droop like a q ,wer that had been
suddenly drenched with cold water.
The other boy nodded with his head Significantly
toward the side entrance Of the prison Ills
mother = in there"
Both children understood the question now.
Ills mother 3 in there"
How the blood rushed over the boys face when
he heard this. ! would have given anything to
recall the words and the question that caused them
One moment the child bent forward painfully and
looked ashamed; then stealing a quick glanc,
into my lace, he turned hastily of and tried tt
whistle.
Poor little boy % / said, in an intense wish t,
give him comfort.
The words seemed to sting him rs though Their,
had been venom in them. lie writhed under il
and beat the ground lml atienuy as he passe,
on.
81 would MT care a peg, Ben" said the othe