The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-08-26


broke her hesrt--God pity me. Go on, it
can't be for me-"
Again the sweet voice rang out, "Father."
The prisoner came up close to the bars a
youthful face framed with light wavy hair; a.
face in which the blue eyes looked innocent
face, that it seemed a ain to couple With
foul deed, gazed out. 1t saw the chilfs
earnest pleading, fearful eyeS q dark ex-
preston rolled like a wave across his brow
q groau came up from his bosom, and with
low moan he staggered against his bed,
crying, stake her away ] can't stand the
sight OF anything pure like that"
Katy had hidden her face q second time,
as che feebly cried, "lt isn't him )" so they
they kept on to the third cell. !"
"Jim, here's little girl, little Katy, your
daughter, wants to see you"
A stupid "what !" came from the bed /;
the man had probably just awakened.
"Your little daughter"
There was sound Of rafting irons that
made the child shiver. Dinly appeared the
face and outlines of well-made mnn-the
countenance handsome but evil. He seem.
ed not to comprehend. But as fast as his
chains would permit him, he came forward
and looked out on the anxious face below.
1t was almost too much for the child. With
loud, convulsive cry, she exclaimed,
"Father Father ~ and fell nearly sense
less against the jEilor. "aa %"
"KstyI" exclaimed the man, and there
was nervous twischiuc about the muscles
of the mouth, "What in Heavens naus has
brought her here - ...
The jaior was calling the child to con
sciousness. e
"Shall we let her come into the cell o.
asked the Warden.
Jim was dashing his hand across his face.
A stnothered Eyes" issued from his lips
They opened the ponderous door,. and pat
the, child within. Her arms were outsuetch.
ed d; his were wide open, and came to-
gether with clankmg sound about the
form of that poor little child.
"Oh, Father }" "Oh, Katy, Katy ~ and
then there was quiet crying. BY and by
the man lifted the little head whose glossy
curls were falling on his shoulders, andoh
what sharp rattle of the chains smote on
the ear, and looked in her face. After q
moments irresolution he kissed her, and
then HE head fell under her earnest, loving
look. *
"Katy, what made you come Z"
."Wanted to see you, Father" and the
head was on his shoulder again.
"How did you come, Katy 4; never mind
the noise, they are locking up; they will
be here again and let you out how did you
come, Katy = ... '..
81 walked here" e.
! "From New York, shild!' r......
"Yes, Father u s-- ..-.
There was no sound, save that of the
chains, as he strained her closer to his bo.
som.
Sand how did you leave-her-Katy-
your mother !" ......
The question was fearfnlly asked, but moi
responded to. He gazed eagerly in the
child's face her little lip was quivering.
"Kuty, tell me quick = .....
s'She died, Father" :" ..............
A grcen, terrible groan followed the
convict's head fell in the lap Of his child,
and he wept with strong cries. The jaior
and the Warden said that they never saw q
sight 80 woetul. And the child tried to
comfort him, till his strength seemed to be
gone, and his sobs were like gasps.
"Oh, Katy, when did she die =! Oh, my
poor May my poor girl ~
"Ever so long ago, guess, ever so many
weeks" replied the child "but she told me
to come and see you, and comfort you."
"Oh, God this is hard /; she always for
gave me-"
"She told me to pray for you, too she
| lOIu Nlo W uEA Jpu "ouiu yoh w 'ool Soot
after you come out, and meet her in Heav.
en-" ,.-
"In Heaven! lin Heaven" groaned the
man, giving way again to his agony. The
child was angel-guided. Her soft touch
was better for his souls good, than the
strifes and the chains. He hcd been har.
/ .
dened her little love had melted down the
adamant had found the locked-up good Of
his nature, and she had sent her soft sweet
smiles through it's prison door, Long he
sat there, his head in the lap of his beautiful
quiet child. None dared disturb him Jail
or and Warden walked to and fro.
"Father, when you come out, III take
care OF you."
He lifted his hesd his eyes red with
weeping, were fastened on her face.
Smother said might"
"God's blessings on you, my ongel-child
you may save your miserable Father !"
~ giR save you, Father"
| The Warden cleared his throat !; the Jail
or spoke roughlyto one OF the prisoners ]
was to hide his emotion. "You had bette
come now" he added, going to the cell.
"Katy, you must goi will you COM
again, my child ~
i "Can't I stay !"