The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-09-19

York.
30, do not write" he said; 81 it will break
my poor mothers heart
told him must write, that il would be a
lighter blow to his mothers feelings, to know
where he was, than the terrible uncertainty
which must haunt her mind night and day.
So he consented; and taking him to my room.
| drew for him, in substance, the following
story:
His father was a wealthy and respectable
mechanic in an interior town Of the State Of
New York. At the holding of the Agricultu-
raj Fair in his native town, he got acquainted
with two stranger boys, older than himself,
who persuaded him to run away from home
and 20 to the West. lie foolishly consent
ed, with high hopes Of happy times, new
scenes aud great fortune They came as far
as Cleveland, where he remained for several
days. One morning the other two boys came
to his room early, and showed him a large
amount Of jewelry, etc, which they said they
had won at cards during the night. Know
ing 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 disposed Of it, they were all three ar
rested for burglary, and as a portion of the
property taken from the store which was rob-
bed was found in his possession. he too, was
tried, convicted and sentenced. lie had no
friends, no money, and dared not to write
lome--so hope sank within him--he resign
ed 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 what Arthur had stated was strictly
true, and that his crime was keeping bad com
pany, leaving his home, and unknOwingIy
receiving stolen gonds. Questioned sepa,
rately, they all tuid the same story, and left
no doubt in my mind Of Arthur's innocence.
Full Of compassion for the unfortunate lit
tie fellow, sat down and wrote full de-
scription Of Arthur, his condition and history,
as obtained il from him, painting the hor-
rors Of the place, the hopelessness of his be-
Ing reformed there, even il guilty, aud the
probability Of his never living out his SEN
tence, describing the process to be used TO
gain his pardon. This | sent according to
the directions in the advertisement. But
week after week passed, and no answer came
The boy daily inquired il | had heard from
| his mother; until at last, hope deferred"
| seemed TO make his heart sick, aud again he
dropped and pined. At last letter came
Bellows, Of New York. lie had been absent
! to distant city, but the moment he read my
i letter the good man responded. The father
Of the poor boy had become almost insane on
account Of his sons lung aud mysterious alb.
sence. He had left his former place Of re-
sidence, had moycd from city to city. from
/ town to town; and travelled up and down
/ the country, seeking the loved and the lost
lie had spent most Of handsome fortune !;
his wife, the boys mother, was on the brink
Of the grave, "pining for her FIRST born, and
would not be cOmloried." They then lived
in a Western city, whittier they had gone in
hope Of finding or forgetting their boy or
that change Of scenes might assuage their
grief. lie thanked me for my letter which
he had sent TO his father, and promised his
assistance to prOeare the young conyicts
pardon.
This news gave to Arthur; he seemed
panied and pleased-hopc aud fear, joy and
grief, filled his heart alternately; but from
thence his eye bcamcd brighter. his step was
lighter, and hope seemed to dance in every
nerve.
/ DAYS passc,l--and at last there came man
to the prison, who rushing frantically into the
Office, demanded TO zee his boy.
]. My boy! my buy oh, let me see
him,
The clerk, who knew nothing of the mat.
+ Ter, calmly asked him for the name Of his
son.
Arthur -"
No such name on our books your sou
Cannnt be here"
"IIe Is here. show him 70 me Here
! sir, is your own letter. Why do you mock
me !"
The clerk looked over the letter, and saw
i. at once that Arthur Lamb was the convict
, wanted, and rang the bell for the messen'
ger.
There is the warden, sir, il was his letter
you showed.
Too much Of the good thing is often un
pleasant. The old man embraced me and
!. wrpt like child. A thousand timeshe thank
cd me, and in the name Of his wife, heaped
: blessings upon my head. But the rattlln.
OF the great iron dour, and the grating SOUND
! of,ts hinges Indicated the approach Of Arthur
and conducted the excited parent into III,
side parlor. | then led his son 70 his embrace
Such alfshriek aud agonizing groan as III,
/. old man gave, when be beheld the alteret
appearance uf tile boy as Ne stood clad in Ii,
degrading stripes aud beholding the convict
cap in his hand, never heard before.
have seen many similar scenes since, and be
come Injured TO them; but this one scemet
as il il would burst my brain
{ | drew up and signed petition for the par
A - h.. aeI t.h sIuat
d aud favorable impression did the perusal o
! the letter wrote in answer TO The advertise
/. mcnt male upon the directors, that the,
!. readil, joined in The petition, though il wa
long time before MLean consented. ii
j. was exceedingly cautious and prudent, bu
the old man eluug to him followed him fror