The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-12-23

ing. Another tramp, and at last they came to
stand still. The jailor raped at cell
door. Slowly the figure of a man with
harsh, hair face appeared.
J "Here's your little girl come to see YOU"
said the iailor.
"[ttle girl! hem! yo&re green, said the
man, in grun accents; "pve got no little girl,
or you wouldn't catch the here"
1 .sFather," sale the childish voice. II sound
ed so sweet, SO childish, in that terrible
prison.
But, as the scowling face came closer to
the bars, the child hid her head quickly il,
the jailor's arm, half sobbing; it wasn't him.
sWe'll try the next one." He walked
further on, and spoke more pleasantly this
time. SWELL, Bondy, here Is little Katy /;
don't sou want to see her?"
"Little Katy" there was long pause
81 had Katy once--not little Katy broke
her heart-Gcd 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 a
face, that it seemed sin to couple with foul
deed, gazed cut. 1t saw the chld's earnest,
pleading, fearful eyes; dark expression
role. like wave across his brow; groan
came up from his bosom, and with a low moan
he staggered against his bed, crying, stake
her away; cart stand the sight Of anything
pure like that"
: Katy had hidden her face a second time, as
she feebly cried, sit isn't him y so they kept
; on 10 the third CELL
: "jim, here's little girl, little Katy, your
daughter, wants to see you.'
A stupid 'sahat !" came from the bed; the
, man had probably just awakened.
"Your little danghterI'
There was sound of wrattling irons that
made the child sbiver. Dimly appeared the
face and outices Of we'll made man-the
countenaace handsome but evil He seemed
not TO comprehend. But as fast as his chains
would permit him, he came forward and look-
ed out at the, anxious face below. 1t was al
most too much for the child. With loud,
convulsve cry. she exclaimed, s:Father
Father! !" aid f. II nearly senseless agails, the
jailor.
sKaty 20 exclaimed the man, and there was
nervous switching about the muscles of the
mouth, 'What Ia Heavens name has brough,
!, her here?"
The jalor was calling the child TO conscious.
ness.
'Shall we let her come in the cel?" asked
the Warden
jim was dashing his hand across his face
A smothered ''yes" issued from his lips
They opened the ponderous door. and pu, tie
child within Her arms were outs,retched
his were wide open, and they came together
t with a clanking sound together about the
form of that poor little child.
, "Oh, Father!' "Oh, Katy, Ka.y!' and
7 then there was quiet crying. BY and by the
I man lifted the little head whose glossy curls
were falling on his shoulders, and oh Z! what a
e sharp rattle Of the chains smote on the ear
t and locke in her face. After moments ir-
r resolution he kissed her, and thei, his head fell
under her earnest, loving look.
"Xaty, what made you come ?"
+; 'WanteI TO see you, Father" and the head
was on his shoulder again.
, slow did you come, Katy; never mind the
: noise, they are locking up; they will be here
3 again, and let You olt; how did yo.. come,
/; Katy ?"
+, 81 wslkel here"
, 'From New York, child?"
eyes, Fatherr'
; There was no sound, save that of chains
as he strained her closer to his bosom.
"And how did you leaye-her-Katy-you
mother ?''
. The question was fearfully asked, but not
responded to He gazed eagerly in the child's
face; her little lip was quivering.
"Katy. tell me quickp
'.She died, Fatberv'
A groan, a terrible groan followed; the con-
vict's head fell in the lap of his child, and he
; wspt with strong cries. The ,lor and the
Warden said that they never saw sight so
woeful. And the child tried to comfort him,
till his strength seemed to be gone, aud his
sobs were like gasps.
"Oh, Katy, when did she die? Oh, my
poor May! my poor grip
SEVER so long ago, guess, ever 50 many
week, !" replied the child; "but she told me to
come and see you, and comfort you." a
"Oh, God! this is hard she always forgave
me-"
"She told me to pray for you, too; she told
me to ask yoa would yon be real good after
you come ont, ahd meet her in Heayen." :.
SIN Heaven! IN Heaven,o groaned the
man, giving away again 20 his agony. The
child was angel guided. Her soft touch was
better for his souls good, than the strfss and
the chains. He had been hardened her little
love had melted down the adamaAt had found
the locked-up good Of his nature, and she ha d
sent her sweet smiles through its prison door.
Long he sat there, his heal in the lap Of his
beautiful, quiet child. None dared disturb
him; jjaiIor aai Warden walked 20 and fro.
"Fa'her, when yoa come out, PH take care
ofyeu."
/ He lifted his head; his eyes, red with weep
ing, were fastened on her face.
"Mother said might"
Goods blessings on you, my angel child !;
you NAV save your miserable father =,