Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-10-21

MN W run away rom nome and go TO the W est
lie foolshly consented, with high hopes of happy
tres, new scenes and great fortune. They came
as Tar as Cleveland, where he remained for several
days One morning the other two boys came to
his room early, and showed him large amount Of
Jewery, ect, which they said they had won at cards
during the night. Knowing that be 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
arrested for burglary, and as portion Of the pro-
perty taken from the store which was robbed was
found in els possession he too, was tried, convict
ed, and sentenced. BE had no friends, no money.
| and dared not to write home--so hope sank within
hirn-he resigned himself to bis fate never exDcct
ing to get out Of prison, or see his parents again
Upon inquirinS Of the two young eonvicts who
came with him on the same charge, learned what
Arthur had stated was strictly true, and that his
crime Was keeping bad company, leaving his home,
| and unknowingly receiving stolen goods Ques-
toned separately, they all told the s@me story, and
left no doubt in my mind OF Arthur's innocence.
Full Of compassion for the unfortunate little leI-
low, sat down and wrote full description Of Ar.
thur, his condition and history, as l 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 sentence, 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 if had heard from his mother; until at
last, hope deferred" seemed to make his heart
sick, and again he dropped and pined. Atlast a
letter came-saeh a letter 1t was from the Rev
| DIR. Bellows of New York. He had been absest
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 long and mysterious absence He had left
bis former place Of residence, had moved from city
TO city, from town to town; and travelled up ard
down the country, seeking the loved and the lost
He had spent most of handsome fortune; his
wife, the boys mother, was on the brink Of the
grave, 'pning for her frst-born and would not be
cOmfOried." They then lived in Western city,
whittier they bad gone in hope of finding or forget
ting their boy or that change Of scenes might
assuage their grief. He thanked me for my letter;
which he had sent to his father, and promised his
assistance to procure the young eonvict's pardon.
This news gave to Arthur be 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 10
dance in every nerve.
Days passed-and at last there came man to
the prison, who rushing frantically into the Office
demanded to see his boy.
The clerk, who knew nothing of the matter
calmy asked him for the name of his son.
ARTHUR -"
mo such name on our books; your son cannot
be here"
"He is here Show him to me Here, sir, is
your own letter! Why do you mock me?
The clerk looked over the letter, and saw at once
that Arthur Lamb was the convict wanted, and
rang the bell for the messenger.
There is the warden, sir, it was his letter you
showed.
Too much of the good thing is often unpleasant
The old man embraced ne and wept like a child
A thousand times he thanked me, and in the name
of his wife, heaped blessings upon my head. But
the rattling of the great iren door, the grating
sound Of its hinges indicated the approach of Ar
thur and | conducted the excited parent into the
side parlor. l then led his son to his embrace.
Such a half shrek and agonzing groan as the old
man gave, when he beheld the altered appearance
of the boy he stood clad in the degrading stripes
and behoIding the convicts cap in his hand! l
never heard before. 1 have seen many similar
scenes since, and become Injured to them; but this
one seemed as if it would burst my brain.
| drew up and sgued petition for the pardon
of the young convict, and such deep and tayorn-
bic impression did the perusal Of the letter wrote
in answer to the advertisement make upon tho di-
rectors, that they readily joined in tie petition,
though it was a long time before M'Lean consen-
ted. He was exceedingly cautious and prudent,
but the old man clung to him-followed him from
his Office to his country residence and in the pres
ence of his family, plead anew his cause. At length
excited by the earnest appeal Of the father the d.
rector looked over the papers again; his wife be-
coming interested, picked up the answer to the
advertisement, read it, then tears came to the res
cue. Mac said. rather harshly, that the warden
would let all those young rascals out if he could.
Those who knew Gov. Wood viii not wonder that
he was easily prevailed upon in this caase and the
pardon vas granted.
Need 1 describe the old mans joy-how be
laughed and wept--waIked and run, all inpatient
to see his son free. When the lad came out in
citizens dress the aged parent too full for u,
terance He hugged tie released convict to his
bosom-kissed him--wept and prayedl GFaspng
my hand, ne rendered me his farm, bis watch, any
thing l would take. Pained at the thought Of
pecuniary reward, took the old mans arm in mine
and his boy by the hand ard escorted them 10 the
gate-literally bOwing them away.
Inever saw them more! But the young man is
doing well and long may he live to reward the
flial affection Of his parents
This case may be but one among hundred
Where guilt is clear, there should be pity for the
youth, and some proper means taken to restore
them to the paths of rectitude and honor
SandHsky City A,ryr.