The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-09-19
From the s,ndusky City Mirror.
THE LOST BOY.
An Incident In the Ohio Penitenti-
By THE WARDEN.

had been but few months in charge OF
the prison, when my attention was attracted
to, and deep interest icltin, the numerous
boys and Young men who were confined
therein, and permitted to work in the same
shops with old and hardened conyicts. This
interest was increased on every evening, as
saw then congregated in gangs, marching
to their silent meals and thence to their
gloomy bedrooms, which are more like liy>
ing sepulchres, with iron shrou,ls, than sleep.
ing apartments. These young men and boys,
being generally the shoi test in height, brought
up in the rear Of the companies as they march.
cd to the terrible " lnck-s STEP and conse-
quently more easily attracted attention. To
see so many youthful forms and bright coun-
tenances mingled with old and hardened
scoundrels, whose ylsages betokened vice,
malice and crime, was sickening to the soul.
But there was one among the boys, a lad of
about II years. who had particularly attract
ed ms attention not from anything superior
in his countcnance or general appearance,
but by the Looks of utter despair which ever
sat upon his brow, and the silent, uncom-
planning manner in which he submitted to
all the hardships aud degradations Of a prison
life. file was often complained Of, BY both
officers and men, and thought unnecessari-
ly, Tor light and trivial offences against the
c".s s or % posgsst and rs saH sg hsd ca m &c.
lie took the reprimand, and once the punish
ment, without tear or nurmur, almost as a
matter Of course, seemingly thankful that il
was no worse. lie had evidently seen bet
ter DAYS, and enjnyed the light Of home, pa
rents aud friends, if not the Injuries Of life.
But The light of hnpe seemed TO have gone
out--his health was puor--his face pale, his
frame fragile--and no fire beamed lu his dark
gray eye! thought every night, as ] sa"
him march to his gloomy bed. that would
go to him and learn his hisiory-but there
were So many duties TO perform, so much e
learn and do, that day alter day passed, and
! would neglect him--haying merely learned
that his name was Arthur Lamb, aud that hi.
crime was burglary and larceny, indicating
a very bad boy, Tor one 10 Young lie haf
already been there year, and had two NOR,
to serve He never could outiiyc his SEN
tencc. his countenance indicated that he lei
il. lie worked at stone cutting on the STATE
llousc--hence my poor opportunities for see
\ ing him were less than though he had work
ed in the prison yard; sill his pale face haunt
ed me day aud night--and resolved that oI
4 the next Sabbath, as he came from school,
would send for him and learn his history. |
/ happened, however, that was one day in ;
store, waiting for the transaction Of sulne bu
siness, aud having picked up an old ncwspa
per, read and re-read, while delayed, unit
at last my eve fell upon an advertisement Q
"A Lost Bny !-lniormatiun wanted Of bo'
named Arth0r -" will not give hi
real name, for perhaps he is still living y an
then followed description Of the bpy-ex
actly corresponding with that Of the youni
convict, Arthur Lamb Then there wa
somebody who cared for the poor boy, il, 10
deed, il was him perhapsa mother, his "a
ther, his brother and sisters who were search
Ing for him. The advertisement was nearl
4 year old-yef doubted not--and as 500
as the. cnnyicis were locked up j sent for Ar
thur Lamb lie came, as a matter Of course
with tie same pale. accomplishing face an
hopeless gait-thinkins, no doubt. that some
thing had gone wrong aud been laid TO HI
charge.
!. | was examining the Cnnyict's Registe
when lie came in; and when [ looked uI
there he stuod, perfect image Of despair
asked his name. lie replied,
Arthur"
i" Arthur what - said sternly.
j" Arthur -. Lamb," lie answered, h'
siiatingly.
/" Have you a father or mother livingi !"
Ills eve brightened--hs voice quiycred Z
hc exclaimed:
i "Oh have You heard IRON mother?
, she alive is she well p and tears, which
. had never seen him shed before, ran III
! great rain.drops doNn his cheeks. As !
became calm from suspense, told him ! ha
. not heard IRON his parents, but that had a pi
{ per | wished him 10 read. lie tunk the a,
. vertisement which had cut from the new
! paper, and as he read Il heexclained--
1 " "'lhat's me that's me !" and again sol
J. and tears choked his uttcrauce.
= assured him that the advertisement vi
. all could tell him abnut his parents--at
}. that as it requested information, ldesireJ
know what ] should Nriic in rspls. Il