Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-22
THREE LITTLE BoYs IN PRISON.

occasionally visit tho house pre-
pared for some of the criminals in our
city. IL is situated at the westerly
part, in very picturesque retreat
1t would pass, in the eyes of strangers,
as the seat of "a wealthy gentleman,
rather than tho residence of the poor
and culpable.
A recent visit to this place disclos-
cd very painful sight. Myself and
a friend wished TO visit the prisoners,
and various doors were unbotcd and
thrown open, that we might pass
Enclosed between some OF these walls
Of stone, were men imprisoned for
stealing, for intemperance, DC. The
door OF one Of these stone cages be-
ing opened, disclosed TO our sight
three tlttie boysi Their ages were from
ten to twelve years. They had been
sentenced TO thirty days imprison-
ment for stealingl What painful
contemplation was this The lads
had been there but few days. A
dreary period Of Imprisonment was
before them. They stood ut the gra-
ted window, looking out ut the high
fence by which the cells are closed
Their caps were upon their heads, as
though but few minutes were TO
elapse ere they could depart from their
rugged room. They turned towards
us. and burst into tears Tho most
touching appeals were made 10 US TO
obtain their liberation and promises
OF future good conduct were most
proiasely made. We conyersed with
thom. Two had been Sabbath school
scholars, and promised 70 attend
punctually on each Sabbath 10 their
class, IL they could but escape from
tho horrors of their prison house.
| was never more seriously affected
ut juvenile depravity and It's conse-
quences than by this scene. The boys
nad not the hardened boldness of ex-
perienced thieves, or the filthy coarse.
ness OF the bad boys we often sec at
large. They were we'll dressed, clean.
ly boys; the ruddiness OF health upon
their cheeks, and the sparkle of intel
leet In their eyes, and their deport-
ment were that OF lads whose parents
had cared for them,
"Whero arc your parcntsp' p ask
cd ono OF tho boys.
"My father Is dead my mother ID
ut home" was the answer.
Weeping, no doubt, said |, for
your imprlsonmont and for tho of.
ionco which causodit." A fresh flood
of tears broke forth, as the lad begged
for liberty TO go 10 his mother.
When we concluded 20 withdraw
from this unpleasant scene, they clung
TO us with the tenacity of despair, be-
soeching us for liberty, Even after
tho door of their cell had been boltod,
they applied their mouths 10 the in-
terstiees, and besought relief in most
piteous accents. Poor boys We
could afford them mono, and left them
TO wear away the tedious hours ofim-
prisonment, in the massive prison
house prepared for depraved men.
What perversion of natures laws
was hero These lads should have
been basking in tho sunshine and
fresh air, gladdcning tho hearts ol
parents by thcir happy faces and
buoyant laughter. How painful Oh,
reverse | could but doubt tho poll,
cy of imprisoning lads like these, in
u gloomy cell, with hardened men oi
degraded women on either side ol
them. The kind discipline of u par
ent, tho Wholesome restraint Of hu
name master-to turn their errine
steps in the true path, by counsel and
persuasion--how much better this Is
than such dicipline. Thethirty days
Of idlcness that these lads passed on
that occasion, did thom no good. II
may have made thcm more artfhl te
avoid Imprisonment again; but how
little was the heart affected by kind
ness. The hearts Of lads at their age
might be won TO virtue and honor by
the cright method, and with little pains
Their parents might ftly weep over
tho desolation of their house when
those whom they had so kindly cared
for, were far removed ut their tender
ago, from their care, and thus impris.
oned. IL is case which may wei
excite the pity of every parent.