Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-07-28


cutting, on the State house-hence my oppor-
he had worked in the prison yard-still his
pale face haunted me day and highland l
resolved that on the next Sabbath, as he
camo from School, / would send for him and
learn his history.
1t happened, however. that | was one day
in store, waiting for the transaction of some
business, and having picked up an old news
paper read and re-read while delayed, until
at last my eye fell upon an advertisement of
"a Lost Boy Information wanted of boy
named Arthur" Il will not give his real
name for perhaps he is still living) and then
followed a description of the boy-exactly
corresponding with that of the young convict
Arthur Lamb Then there was somebody
who cared for the poor boy, it, indeed, it was
him perhaps a mother, his father, his bro
theirs and sisters, who were searching for him.
The advertisement was nearly year old-yet
l doubted not-and soon as the convicts were
locked up / sent for Arthur Lamb. He
came, as matter Of course, with the same
pale, accomplishing face and hopeless gait
thinking, no doubt, that something had gone
wrong, and been laid to his charge.
was examining the Convicts' Register,
when he came in; and when l looked up,
there he stood, perfect image Of despair. l
asked him his name. He replied,
"Arthur."
arthur what ?" said I, sternly
"Arthur--Lamb," he answered, hesta-
tingly.
Have you father or mother living?"
His eye brightened-his voice quivered,
as he exclaimed:
"Oh have you heard from mother? Is she
alive is she well :" and tears, which | had
never seen him shed before, ran like rain
drops down his cheeks. AS he became calm
from suspense, l told him had not heard
from his parents, but that l had paper |
wished him to read. He took the advertise
ment which had cut from the paper, and as
he read it he exclaimed,
"That's me that's me y and again sobs
and tears choked his utterance.
assured him that the advertisement was
all I could tell him about his parents--and
that as it requested information, l desired to
know what should write in reply. The ad-
vertisement directed information to be sent
to the editor of the Christian Chronicle, New
York.
"Ob, do not write" he said, at will break
poor mothers heart"
told him / must write and that it would
be lighter blow to his mothers feelings to
tainty which must haunt her mind day and
night. So he consented; and taking him to
my room, I drew from him in substance the
following story:
His father was n respectable and wealthy
mechanic in an interior town Of the State Of
New York. That at the holding of the State
Agricultural Fair, in his native town, he got
acquainted with two stranger boys, older than
himself, who persuaded him to run away from
home and 90 TO the West. He foolishly con-
sented; with high hopes Of happy times, new
scenes and great fortune They came as far
as Cleveland, where they remained several
days. One morning the other two boys came
to his room early, and showed him large
amount of jewelry, &c. which they said they
had won at cards during the night. Knowing
that he was in need Of funds to pay his board
they pressed him to take some Of it, for means
to pay his landlord. But before he had dis
posed of ahy of it they were all three arrested
for burglary, and as portion of the property
taken from the store which had been robbed
was found in his possession, he too was tried,
convicted and sentenced He had no friends,
no money, and dared not TO write home so
hope sank within him he resigned himself
to his fate, never expecting to get out of
prison, or see his parents again.
Upon inquiring Of the two young convicts
who came with him on the same charge,
learned that what Arthur had stated was
strictly true, and that his only crime was
keeping bad company, leaving his home, and
unknowingly receiving stolen goods. Ques-
toned separately they all told the same sto-
ry, and left no doubt in my mind Of the boys
innocence. Full Of compassion for the unfor-
tunate little fellow, / sat down and wrote a
full description Of Arthur, his condition and
history, as obtained it from him, painting
the horrors of the place, the hopelessness of
his being reformed there, even if guilty, and
the probability of his never living out his SEN
tence, and describing the process to be used
to gain his pardon. This l sent according to
the directions in the advertisement. But
week after week passed, and no answer came
The boy daily inquired if had heard from his
mother, until, at last, "hope long deferred
seemed to make his heart sick" and again he
dropped and pned.
At last letter came--such letter 1t
was from the Rev. DIR. Bellows, of New
York. lie had been absent to distant city,
but the moment he read my letter the good
man responded The father of the poor boy
had become almost insane on account of his
sons mysterious absence. lie had left his
former place of residence, had moved from
city 10 CITY, from Town 10 tOWn, auu lTdNelleu
up and down the country seeking the loved
and the lost He had spent the most of a
handsome fortune his wife, the boys mother
was on the brink of the grave, "pining for her
first born, and would not be comforted."-
They then lived in western city. whittier
they had gone in the hope of finding or for
getting their boy--or that a change of scene
might assuage their grief He thanked me
for my letter, which he had sent to the father,
and promised his assistance to procure the
young convicts pardon.
This news gave to Arthur; he seemed
panied and pleased-hope and fear, Joy and
| grief, filed his heart alternately but from
thence his eye beamed brighter his step was
lighter, and hope seemed to dance in every
| nerve
! Days passed-and at last there came a
man to the prison, rushing frantically into the
Office, demanding to see his boy.
"My boy! my boy Oh, let me see him %
The clerk, who knew nothing of the matter
calmly asked him for the name of his son.
Arthur So"
mo sgeh name on our books; your son
cannot be here"
"He is here Show him to me Here. sir
is your own letter Wbv do Won p,ool, No op