The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-02-02


ing, for tempting to break jail; he don't
deserve little gal as looks like that one.
the villain. Come child, I'll go and find
your father"
He took Katy's shaking hand, with the
other she dashed the tears away fast as they
fell. 1t frightened her almost into calm
ness. to see the ponderous door at which the
jalor applied the great key and the still
ness Of the long tone passages; the dimness
thrown over all the constant succession Of
bars and bleak black walls was terrible to
sensitive mind like hers. How the heavy
tread of the jailor, and the tread of the War.
den behind him, echoed through the gloom
and the space. 1t was in truth a great tomb
through which they moved; a tomb in which
were confined living hearts, whose throb
could almost be heard in the awful stiffness.
On, on they went, now through this massive
door, now through that passage way. Every
thing spoke OF crime, fierce passions subdu-
ed and held in stern control; everything,
from the grim lace Of the ferocious watch
dog, to the sentinels armed.
They turned and went up the stairs, the
jailor holding the scared bird close to his
side with tender clasp, the Warden follow
ing. Another tramp, and at last they came
to stand still. The jailor raped at a cell
door. Slowly the figure of man with
harsh, hair-covered face appeared.
Here's your little girl come to see you,"
said the jailor.
Little girl hem you're green," said
the man, in grum accents; I've got no
little girl, or you wouldn't catch me here"
Father" said the childish voice. Ii
sounded SO sweet, so childish, in that terri
BILE prison. But, as the scowling face came
closer TO the bars, the child hid her head
quickly in the jailor's arm, halfsobbing; it
wasn't him.
We'll try the next one." He walked
further on, and spoke mere pleasantly this
time. Well, Bondy, here is little Katy !;
don't you want to see herr"
" Little Katy" there was long pause.
Il had Katy once-not little katy-I
broke her heart-God pity me. Go on, it
cant be for mef
Again the sweet voice rang out, " Father"
The prisoner came up close to the bars; Il
youthful face framed with light wayy hair
. IA face in which the blue eyes looked innO-
cent; a face, that it seemed sin to couple
with foul deed, gazed out. 1t saw the
child's earnest, pleading, fearful eyes; dark
expression rolled like wave across his brow
groan came up from his bosom, and with Il
. low moan he staggered against his bed cry
ing, " take her away can't stand the sight
; Of anything pure like that"
. Katy had hidden her face second time,
: as she ieebly cried, 1t isn't him;" so they
, kept on to the third cell:
!" Jim, here's little girl, little Katy, your
daughter, wants to see y0u."
: A stupid, "what~ came from the bed
/, the man had probably just awakened.
"Your little daughter Z"
1, There was a sound OF rattling irons that
: made the child shiyer. Dimly appeared the
: face and outlines Of a well made man--the
t countenancc handsome but evil. He seemed
. not to comprehend. But fast as his chains
would permit him, he came forward and
!. looked out at the anxious face below. II
was almost too much for the child. With a
2 loud, consulsiye cry, she exclaimed, Father!
, Father !" and fell nearly senseless against
. the jailor.
E Katy :" exclaimed the man, and there
was a nervous twitching about the muscles
Of the mouth. "What in Heavens name
| las brought her here?
The jailOr was calling the child to consci-
. business.
ENdI VIZ ttk HcE COuic " cell ASK
{ ed the Warden.
: Jim was dashing his hand across his face.
I A smothered eyes" issued from his lips.
They opened the ponderous door, and put
{ the child within. Her arms were outstrstch.
ed; his we're wide open, aud they came togeth-
. er with I!ankins sound; together about the
/; form Of that poor little child.
"0h, father "Oh, Katy. Katy - and then
there was a quiet crying. BY and by the
man lifted the little head whose glossy curls
! we're falling On his shoulder, and oh what
/. sharp rattle VI the chains smotc on her ear,
! and lonkcd in her face. After a moments
r irresolution he kissed her, and then his head
tell under her earnest, loving look.
i, "katy. what made YOU come 7"
Wanted 10 see you, father" and the
head was or his shoulder again.
/" llnw did you come, Katy; never mind
. tie noise, they are looking up; they will be
here again. aud let you OUT how did you
9 come, Katy Z"
81 walked here."
: "From New York, chldp
" Yes, father"
There was no sound, save that Of the chains,
as lie strained her closer to his bosom.
Aud how did you leaye--her--Ksty--
. your mother.
. The question was fearfully asked. but not
responded to. lie gazed eagerly in the
. child's face her little lip was quivering.
Katy, tell me quick -
d "She died, father" -.-.
A groan. terrible groan followed, the
conyict's head fell III the lap Uf his child, and
!, lie wcpt with strong cries. The jailor and
the Warden said that they never saw sight
j, 50 wonderful. And the child tried TO com.
fort him, still his strength seemed to be gone.
h and his s0bs we're like gasps.
: "Oh, KATY, when did she die Oh. my
poor MAY nv poor girl y
II aver 50 long ago. guess, eyer'so maHy
j. weeks" replied the child "but she told NE
IL 10 come aud see you, and comfort YOU"
,.0h. God this is hard shs always iOI.