The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-03-10
THE PRISONERS CHILD.
BY MRS. MARY A. DENIsoN.

1t was early morning.
is this the way to Sing Singl'
Yes, roughly replied brown-face
countryman, and passed on.
twas afternoon. The child was some
what fragile in her appearance. He
bonnet was of broken straw; her shoe
were very much torn, the sun played hot
ly on her tender forehead. She walkeC
on aud on an hour longer.
"Is this the way to Sing SiDgi"
Yes, little girl, but what are you goint
there for 2
The child trudged on, her lip quiverinl
not dcigning to answer the pIessant-faced
old man who had stopped the jogging oI
lis horse to note ber buried manner, and
who liked that little face, anxious and sad
as its expression was.
The dew was falling, Katy had faller
too, almost. A rougd stone by the way
imbedded in moss received her tired little
frame She looked so wearied and eyed
sitting there, her tangled hair falling OIL
the hands that we're cssped over her
face BY the shaking OF her fran e, the
tears were coming too, ard she was brave
" trying to hold them back.
Why, what is this dear little girl doing
here ?
The exclamation came from a pair OF
eager young lips.
"a curiosity | declare" " exclaimed a
hsrsher voice, and Katy looked up sud-
denly, covered away from the sight of
the pretty young girl aud her agreeable
looking companion.
What are you doing here, little girl ?
asked Nell haywood, moving little
nearer to the frightened child
Going to Sing Sing, said Katy, in a
scared way.
Did you ever. George! this child is
going to Sing Sing; Why, it's ten miles
off Child, did you know it was SO far
off,
Katy shook ber head, and wiped away
the hot aud heavy tears one by one.
Why, yes, you poor little goose. What
are you going to Sing Sing for! Hare
you had your supper
Katy shook her head.
Have you bad any dinnerr
Again the sad child shook ber head.
Nor breakfast Why George, the
poor little thing must be almost starved!'
Il should think So mechanically re-
piled her brother, just recovering from a
yswn and showing signs of sympathy.
Look here; what's your namer
katy
well Katy, you must come up to the
house, and get something to eat. Going
to Sing Sing on foot; dear me how ride
uloas. Follow me, Katy, aud we'll take
care of you tonight, somehow, and see
about Jour going to Sing Sing to- morrow
Katy followed What a glorious wis.,
ioa burst upon her view! The palace
house; the rocks reddening in low wes-
tern sup; the shining river; the signs of
luxury on every hand.
They walked up wide avenue. Elms
and oaks threw their pleasant branches
on each side; here and there a flower
bush might be seen; vines grew around
the noble pillars, twisting up to the gilt
tering windows.
Susan, give this poor child a good
supper; she is hungry, and tired too, |
imagine. After that, l will see what
can be done for her,"
Susan wore mild face. She looked
pleasantly down at the poor tired little
Que and taking her hand which treubled
now, led her into the kitchen.
Meanwhile, her story, or that brief part
of it which we know, was being told in the
drawing room. The syph figure in white
lounging gracefully 10 the midst of deli
cate cushions, accompanied her narration
with expressive gestures, and now and
then little laugh.
Il should like to know what she is GO
ing to Sing Sing for 7 she said, leaning
languidly back. we must get her some
thing to wear; bonnet; pair of shoes;
and then, may be, We can manage to
have her carried some way, if her mis-
sion is of any Importance. Oh such an
odd looking little thing
Who is that; my dsughter!'
'Ob, Papa you are coue home; why,
was talking about the mite of child; she
cannot be more than ten, if that saw
her out here sitting on moss-rock, the
most fOrlorn object She says she is 60
ing to Sing Sing
Il met her on my way said the pleas
ant faced old man; she asked me about
it, and would have stopped her, but she
trudged on. Where is she I 1t was noon
when ] saw her,
In the kitchen, Papa. Susan is taking
good care of her, expect, and when she
has had a hearty supper We will talk with
her.
A gay trio of young girls came. The
MEETINGS were put up; the gas burned
brightly; and music aud uirtb banisbed