The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-06-23
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like Young hickory, and soma'll break first
it wants pretty good judge OF human
nature to deal with 'em" and the selF-satis-
fed air of the speaker ignored all acqualn-
lance with bad arrangements on his part
"His mind is in a very critical state just
now; be careful and irritate him." said Mr.
Mann, by way of finale.
The signal for closing sounded.
The prisoners dehled in at the lower stone
door. Winfield reached hesitatingly for his
ration of mush and molasses he had eaten
nothing Stree morning, but hunger was on
" drop in his cup of misery. That day,
in bitterness and blindness, the prisoner had
madlv cursed his God. That day the spirit
within had chafsd aps frett'd like fF'n-
zied demon.
Winfield paid no heed to the knock at his
door. The slide was moved.
"Mr. Winfield, we want to come in
there's little fellow out here has claim on
you"
He started
"A claim to make you more miserable"
said voice in his heart.
They turned the key, and the door swung
heavily in. Paul and haggard sat the prls-
oner on his cot-his evening meal untasted.
He looked up wildly.
'Charley!'
Father, Father, is it your
The chaplain and his attendant drew back,
The passionate hold of the parent relaxed;
some words were spoken. Charley forgot the
cell and the stripped epparel-his blue eyes
lit up with ioy-he had found his father -
Finally, the husband found voice to say,
Elbow is pou. mother Charley?-does she
ever say anything about me?" he whispered
casping the child closer to his bosom.
90, she cries so much!'' said Charley; "and
she prays every night for you've all do, too
though little Fannie, she can't pray much
all she can say is, God, pease to let my papa
come home;'' and for the moment, Charley
rather seemed to plume himself with supe-
rior attainments. 1--WE 90 to meeting every
Sabbath since mothers Joined the Church,
and I 90 to Sabbath school," continued
Charley.
For some minutes Mr.. Winfield did not
speak.
"Who came with you, Charley" was the
question mechanically put.
| came all alone-this morning Uncle
James took mother over to his house to stay
till to morrow night, and was to go to grand
pa's--they didn't expect me, so Thoughtful
come out here-I wanted to see you so bad,
father" and charley laid back his head on
the thin shoulder, and stroaked the pale
cheeks foundy.
"You have to wear this coat on the Sab
bath?" asked Charley, twirlng' his finger
in the button-hole. Mother has made me
one out ofyour green one-it has real pretty
buttons on, too Fannie's got new red dress
and cape, and little white bonnet she wears
and she will carry mas lymn-book, and
hold it open when they sing. How much
longer before you can come home, father ~
asked the child, timidlv, with sigh.
"Home!' the word thrilled him; it vilbra-
ted strangely and sweetyl its memory was
like apdles of gold.
"Where will you sleep tonight, my little
SOM" said the parent, triumphing over the
prisoner,
Mr.. Mann heard the qnestion-pushing
back the door, he said
81 will take care ofyour son, sir, and per
haps he had better retire with me, now-he
must be hungry, think.
81 don't know but had ought to go back
to grandpa's to-night-Uncle James said
there would be a bright moon.
'.How far is its' asked Mr. Mann.
'It's fifteen miles, but ant afraid of any
thing" said Charly, with arpsolute air.
81 expect to go several miles his way, ear
ly in the morning, Mr.. Winfield, and will
make the best arrangements can for him:
so, Charley, guess we had better CO., said
Mr.. Mann, taking his hand
'Shan't see my father again?' was the
earnest question. .E.
The child and the parent parted.
When the next evening came, Mr.. Mann
sought the cell of his friend He felt that
then was the convicts day of visitation
And so it was. Finally he yielded to the
Spirits will; finally it was said of him, as of
Saul, 'Behold, he prayethr' Days and
nights ofdespairing doubt succeeded Could
the blood of Christ wash out such moral tur-
pitude! Could the promise of the All forgiv-
ing be extended to him! Still the living
voice of dulcimer sweetness sounded Though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white
as snowr' "The Spirit and the Bride say,
Come" He cast himself upon the mercy of
Jesus; the pardon came-his acceptance was
bright and convincing.
"Writc the good news to my wife, said
Mr.. Winfield to the chaplain; "tell her, by
the blessing Of God, Charley's visit has
proved to me SAVIOR of life unto life"
The prison-t term has closed, and the united
family walk together in the ordinances ofthe
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