The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-11-09
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dents which occurred while he had control Of
the institution: 2Ssa,a -
Il had been few months in charge of
the prison, when my attention was attracted
to, and deep interest felt, in the numerous
boys and young men who were confined
therein, and permitted TO work In the same
shops with the old and hardened convicts--
This interest was much increased on every
evening, as L saw them congregate in gangs
marching to their silent meals ard thence to
their gloomy bedrooms, which are. more like
living sepulchres, with iron shrouds than
sleeping apartments. These young men and
boys being generally the shortest in their
height brought up the rear of the companies.
rs they marched to the terrible clock step,a
and consequently most easily attracted at
tention. To see many youthful forms and
bright countenances, mingled with the old
and hardened scoundrels whose visages be-
tokened vice, malice, and crime, was sicken.
ing to the soul. But there was one among
the boys, lad of about seventeen years OF
age, who had particularly attracted my at
tention not from anything superior in his
countenance or general appearance, but by
the look of utter despair which sat upon his
brow, and the silent accomplishing manner
in which he submitted to all the hardships
and degradations of prison life lie was Of.
ten complained Of by both officers and men,
and 1 thought unnecessarily, for light and
trivial offences against the rules of propriety;
yet he had no excuse or apology, and never
denying the charge. He took the repri.
nand, and once the punishment, without a
tear of murmur, almost as matter of course
seeming 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--hisfraine fragile, and no fire beamed
in his dark eye. / thought, every night as
saw him march to bis gloomy bed, that |
would 60 to him and leara his history; bu.
there were SO many duties to perform, SO
much to learn, and do, that day after day
passed and would neglect him. L learned
that his name was Arthur Lamb, and that
his crime was burglary and larceny, indica-
ting very bad boy for one so young. He
had already been there year, and had two
yearst to serve. He never could outliye his
sentence, and his countenance indicated he
felt IL. He had 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 night, and / resolved
on the next Sabbath, as he came from Sab
bath School, I'would send for him and learn
his history. Ithappened, however, that l was
one day in store waiting for the transac-
ton of some business, and having picked up
an old newspaper, had read and re-read,
while delayed, until at last NY eyes fell upon
an advertisement of IA Lost Bowl Infor-
nation wanted ofa boy named Arthur" !"
Il will not give bis real name for perhaps he
is still liying,l and then followed descrip-
tion OF the boy, exactly corresponding with
that Of the convict, Arthur. Lamb. Then.
there was somebody who cared for the, poor
boy, if indeed, it was him-perhaps a moth
er, his father, his brothers his sisters, who
were searching for him.. The advertisement
was nearly a year old, yet / doubted not,
and as soon as the conyicts were locked up
/ sent for Arthur. Lamb. He came, as a
matter ofcourse with the same pale uncom.
planning face and hopeless gait, thinking no
doubt, that something had gone wrong and
had been laid to his charge
was examining the Convict's Register.
when / looked up, there stood---a perfect
image Of despair I asked his name. He
replied "Arthurw Arthur lwhat - said Il
sternly. "Arthur----Lamb p said he hes.
itatingly.
Have you father Of mother living 3n
His eye frightened his voice quiyered as
he exclaimed:
"oh, have you heard from, mothers Is
she alives and tears, which had never seen
him shed beforeran like great rain drops
down his cheeks. AS he became calm from
suspense, told him had not heard from
his parents, but that had a paper wished
him to read. He took the advertisement
which l had cutfrom the paper, and as he
read 1.-THE exclaimed: gTi
That Is me that is me p And again
sobs and tears choked his utteranee.
l assured him the advertisement was all ]
could tell him Of his parents--and that as /
requested jnformation,, desired to know
whas 1, should write In reply. The adver-
tisement directed Information to be sent to
the Christsan Chroniele, New York.
''Oh, do not write, = said he at will break
poor mothers hcart r j
I told him ]. must write. and IL wonld bo
a lighter blow to bis mother's feelings to
know whese he was .han the terrible uncsr.
ta;nfY wbich myet haunt her mind day ana
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