New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-19
CHAPTER VI.
TIE FATHER OF TIFF MARSUALSEA.


waik on the left hand side of the way going south
ward the Marhasea Prison II had stood there many
before and it remained there some years alter
ward hut it is gone now, and the world is none the
wore without il.
II was an oblong pile of barack building, parti-
toned into squad houses standing back to back, 30
that there were no back rooms; enyironed by mar
row paved yard. hemmed in by high walls dulv -pked
at top Itself coee aud confined prison for debtors,
il contained within il a much closer and more confined
Jail for smuggeS. Offenders against the revenue
laws and defsuter- to excise customs, who had IN
CURED fines which they were unable to pay, were sup
posed to be incarcerated behind rOn-plated door,
closing up second prison, consisting OF strong ecu
or two, and blind alley some yard anu bali vide,
which formed the mysterious termination OF the very
limited battle-ground in which the Marshasea debtors
bowled down their troubles.
Supposed to be ncarceracd there, because the time
Ind rather Cutgrown the strong cells and the blind
alley. In practice thew had come to be considered
little too bad, though in theory they were quite as
good as ever; which may be observed to be The case
at the present day with other cells that are not at all
strong and with other blind alleys that are stone
blind. Hence the smugg.ers hsbituay consoted with
the debtors who received them with open arms eX-
cept at certain constitutional moments when some
body came from some Office to 20 through some Iorm
Of overlooking something, which neither ne nor any
body else knew anything about. On those truly Brit
ish occa sions the -huggers If any, made teint OF
yalking into the strong cells and the bind alley while
this somebody pretended to do HI. something; ana
made a reality Of walking out again as soon a. he
hadn't done it-neatly epitomzlng the administration
Of most of the public affair in our right little tight
little, island.
There had been taken to the Marshalsea Prison,
long before the day when the sun shone on Marseies
and on the opening of this narrative, debtor with
whom this narrative has some concern
He was, at that time, very amlaole ana very help-
les, middle-aged gentleman, who was going out again
directly Necessarily, he was going ont again directly
becau:e the Msrshalsea lock never turned upon
debtor who was not. He brought in portmanteau
with him. which he doubted its being worth while TO
10. ,.alaa Ill nj he YR-f a.
then, ii turnkey OH the cck said-that be wo' gong
out again directly. a., :, =,
He was a shy retiring man. well-looking, though
in an rfrminae stye; with mild voice, curling hair
and rresolute hand4-rings upon the fingers in those
davs-which neryOusly wandered to his trembling up
Hundred times in the rst half-hour of his acquain-
ance with the jail. His principal anxiety was about
bis wife. .u.
she viii be verv much shocked if she should como to
tie gate tomorrow mornlngF
The turnkey gave it the result of his experience
that some of 'en was and some of 'em wasn't. In
General more no than yes "What like il she you
?" he .philosophcaiy asked; "tnats "ha' II
hinges on." ,.-,,
THAT" said the turnkey, is agen her.
"She il so little used to go out alone said the
debtor. "that am at loss to think how she viii ever
make her way here, if she walks
"Praps." quoth the turnkey "she'h take a ackney
coach" J.. -.
"Perhaps" The rresolute fingers went to the
trembling lip. IL hope she will. She may not think
of it," ,..
lions from the top of his welworn wooden STOOL as he
might have offered them to child for whose weak
mess he felt compassion, praps, sheIi get ner
brother, or her sister, to come along with her,.
''She has no brorher OF sister,"
"Neee, nevy, cousin, servant, young CONAN
ereengrocer.-Dash it One or another on EN-, said
the turnkey, repudatng beforehand the refusal Of all
his suggestions. ,
Il fear-I hope it is not against the rules-that she
will brug the children" ,
THE Children ~ said the turnkey. "And the rules ?
Why lord set You up like corner pin we've reglar
playground o. children here. Children Why, We
swarm with EN-. How many you got =
1.-TWO" said the debtor, lifting his iresolute hand
to his lp and turning into the prison.
The turnkey followed him with his eyes; " And
YOU another" he observed to himself, (which makes
three on you. And urwife another, III laya crown.
Which makes four on you. And ! Il go another seven
and sixpence to which il the bcplesses the I'M
born baby you "
He wa: ripit in all his particulars She came next
day with little boy of three years old, and little
girl two and he stood entirely corroborated.
Got a room now; haven't you the turnkey
asked the debtor after a week or two.
"les, have got very good room.
"Any little sticks a coming to furnish it q said the
turnkey
II expect few necessary articles of furniture to be
delivered by the carrier this afternoon
"Mssis and little 'uns coming, to Keep you cobs
pany ?" asked the turnkey.
"'WLy, yes, we think ii better that we should not
be scattered even for few weeks
" Even for q few weeks, OF course, replied the
turnkey, And he followed him again with bis eyes,
aud nodded his head seven times when be was gone
Tie affairs of this debtor were perpie1ed Dy
partnership of which be knew 10 more than that he
Lad invested money in IT. by legal matters OF assign
mept and settlement, conveyance here and convey
ancc there suspcion.of unlawful preference OF cred
itors in this direction and of mysterious spirtng
away of properly in that; and az nobody on the lace
of the earth could be more incapable OF explaining any
single item in the heap of confusion than the DEBTOR
himself nothing comprehensive could be made vi MS
case. To question him in detail, and endeavor 10 re-
concle biz answers; 10 closet hun with 9ccountshts
and sharp practitioners learned IN the "iies Vi ro
yency aud bankruptcy was only 10 put the cas- out
at compound interest of incomprehensibilty Inc ~
resolue fingers futtered and more inenectuahy
about the trembling lip every such occasion. ana
the sharest practitioners gave hun up a. hopeies7
job. 49,. 90.
Uness hi, creditors take Lin by the shoulders and
shove him out"
He had been there FIVE or six months, when he came
running this turnkey forenoon 10 tell hi Dream
lees and pale, that his wife was III. 49, .,
As anybody might known she would be, SAID
the turnkey.
I'VE intended he returned, &" nat she should go
to country lodging only tomorrow y, nat sii 10
d" Don't waste your time in cla-plng your hahds anu
biting your fngers" responded the practical turnkey
taking him by the elbow, but come along VII m,
The turnkey conducted him-trembling from heaa 10
foot and constantly CRYING under his breath, What
was lie to do while his inesolute fingers oedaooied
the tears upon hi face-up one OF the common stan
cases in the prison to door on the garret story
Upon which door the turnkey knocked with the hande
ofhis key.
Come in I" cried voice inside.
The turnkey opening the door, disclosed ID d
wretched ll-,meling little ROOM two hCarSe, Puny,
red-faced percentages seated at nckety table playing
1 "a 4