True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-13
From the Tuscaravas Advocate
THE LOST BOY

The Editor Of the Sandusky Mirror, was
ormerly Warden of the Ohio Penitentiary.
He gives the following as one Of the iu-
cideuts which occurred while he had con-
troll ofthat Institution:
~ had been few months in charge of
the Prison, when my attention was attrac-
ted TO, and deep interest felt in, the numer-
Gus boys and young men, who were cOndn-
ed therein, and permitted to work in the
same shops with oldand hardened convicts.
This interest was increased on every eve
ming, as / saw them COngregated in gangs,
marching to their silent meals, and thence
TO their gloomy bed ROOMS, which are more
like living Sepulchres, with iron shrouds,
than sleeping apartments. These young
men and boys being generally the shortest
in height, brought up the rear Of the COM
panies, as they marched to their terrible
'lock stop, and consequently: more easily
attracted attention. To see many youthful
forms and bright cOuntenances, mingled
with the old and hardened scoundrels,
whose visages betOkened vice, malice and
crime, was sickening to the soul. But
there was one among the boys, a lad of
about seventeen years Of age, who hadpar-
ticularly attracted my attention; not from
anything superior in his countenanOe or
general appearance, but by the look of
utter despair which ever sat upon his brow,
and the silent, uncomplaining manner in
which he submitted to all the hardships
and degredations Of prison life. He was
often complained Of by both officers and
men, and thought unnecessarily; for light
and trivial offenses against the rules ofpro-
priety; yet he seldom had any excuse or
apology, and never deuyinga charge. He
took the reprimand and once punishment,
without tear or murmer, almost as q
matter of course, seemingly thankful that
it was no worse. He had evidently seen
better days, and enjoyed the light of home,
parents, and friends, if not the luxuries Of
life. But the light Of hope seemed to have
gone opt-his health was poor-his face
pale-his frame fragile, and no fire beamed
in his dark grey eye! I thonght every
night as saw him march to his gloomy
bed, that l would go to him, and learn his
history-but there were so many duties to
perform, SO much to learn, and do, that
day after day passed, and would neglect
him-having merely learned that his name
was Arthur Lamb, and that his crime was
burglary and larceny, indicating very bad
boy, for one so young! He had already
been there year, and had two more to
serve. He never could outlive his sentence,
and his countcnance indicated that be felt
it.--He worked at stone cutting on the
State House-hence my opportunities for
seeing him were less than though he had
worked in the prison yard--still his pale
face haunted me day and highland res
olved on the next Sabbath, as he came from
Sabbath School, / would send for him and
learn his history. 1t happened however,
that / was one day in a store, waiting the
transaction Of some business, and having
picked up an old newspaper, 1 had read
and re-read, while delayed, until at last my
eyes fell upon an advertisement of"A Lost
Boy"--Information wanted of boy nam
cd Arthur-," & will not give his
real name, for perhaps he. is still living
and then followed description Of the boy
exactly corresponding with that Of the
young convict--Arthur Lamb. Thea there
was somebody cared for the poor boy, if,
indeed it was him, perhaps mother, his
father, his brothers, and sisters, who were
searching for him. The advertisement was
nearly year old--yet I doubted not-and
Is soon as the convicts were locked up,
cant 70. Arthur Lamb. He came as q
matter Of course, with the same pale, un-
complaining face and hopeless gait; thinking
no doubt, that something had gone wrong
and had been laid to his charge.
l was examining the Convict Register,
when l looked up, there be Stood per.
feet image Of despair! asked him hi.
name. He replied "Arthur" Arthur
whatl said l, sternly.-"Arthur-IAmbp
sAid hs hesitatingly.
"Have you mother or Q isther liv
iug''
His eye frightened bis voice quivered, q
he exclaimed
"Oh, have you heard from motheri Il
sho well7" and tears, which l had neve
seen him shed before, ran like great rail-
drops down. his checks. As he becam
calm from suspense, I told him had no
heard from his parents, but that I had
paper I wished him to read. He took th
advertisement which l had cut out fror