Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-04-27
nl tsfellaneous.
The Prisoners Child.
BY MRS MARY DENNIsoN.


1t was ealy morning.
is this the way to Sing Sing?
Yes roughly replied brown faced coun-
tryman, and passed on
1t was afternoon. The child was some
what fragile in her appearance. Her bonnet
was of broken straw; her shoes were much
torn, the sun played holy on her tender fofe-
head. She walked on an hour longer.
is this the way to Sing SingY
Yes little glrl but what are you going
there for?'
The child trudged on, her lip quivering.
not deigning to answer the pleasant faced old |
man who had stopped the jogging of his horse |
to note her hurried manner, and who liked I
that little face, anxious and sad as its express
sion face
The day was falling. Katy had fallen too |
almost. A rough stone lay by the way i'm
bedded in moss, received her tired little frame
She looked so wearied and aged, sitting there, !
her tangled hair falling on the hands that
were clasped over her face! By the shaking
of her frame, the tears were coming too, and
she was brayely 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 declared exclaimed harsh
er voice, and Katy looked up suddenly, cow
cred away from the sight of the pretty young
girl and ner agreeable looking companion.
What are you doing here little girl?' ask
ed Nell haywood, moving little nearer to
the frightened child.
Going to Sing Sing, said Katy. 10 a scared
way.
Did you ever, George. this child is going
to Sing Sing, why, it's ten miles off. Child
did you know that it was SO far off
Katy shook her head. and wiped away the
hot and heavy tears one by one.
Why, yes you poor little goose What
are you going to Sing Sing for? Have you
had your support
Katy shook her head.
Have you had any dinner?'
Again the sad child shook her head.
Nor breakfast? Why George. the poor
little thing must be almost starvedY
i should think so,' mechanically replied
her brother, just recovering from yawn and
showing signs of sympathy
( Look here; what's your name:'
Katy
We'll Katy you must come up to the house
and get something to eat. Going to Sing
Sing on foot; dear me how ridiculous. Fol-
low me, Katy, and we'll take care of you to
night, somehow, and see about your going to
Sing Sing tomorrow
Katy followed What glorious vision
burst upon her viewl The palace house; the
rocks reddening in low western sun, the
shining river; the signs of luxury on every
hand.
They walked up wide avanue. Elms aud
caks threw their branches on each side; here
and there flower bunch might be seen; vines
grew around the noble pillars, twisting up to
the glittering windows
Susan gives this poor child good supper
she is hungry and tired TOO imagine. After
that will see what can be done for her
Susan wore mild face. She looked pleas
ant.y down at the poor tired little one, aDc
taking her hand which trembled nov, led hel
to the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story, or that brief part o
it which we know, was being told in the dra7
ing room The sylph-like figure in white
lounging gracefully in the midst of DELEGATE
cushions, accompanied her narration with ex
pressive gestures, and now and then littl
laugh.
I should like to know what she is going t
Sing Sing for?' We must get her somethin;
to wear; bonnet, pair of Shoes and theI
may be, we can manage to have her carries
some way, if her mission is of any impor
tance. OH such an old looking little thing
'Oh, Papa you have come home; why,
was talking about the mite of a child. sh
cannot be more than ten, if that. ] saw be
out here sitting on moss rock, the most for
lorn object. She says she is going to Sin
= Sing"
e L met her on my way said the pleasan
l. faced old man; she asked me about it, and
would have stopped her, but she trudged o
n Where is she. 1t was noon when [ sa'
is herr
,r In the kitchen, papa. Susan is takin
IS good care of her, l expect, and when she ha
e had harty supper we will talk with her.
,r A gay trio of young girls came The ne
10 tings were put up, the gas burned brightly
is and a usic and mirth banished, all though
" of care. Suddenly Nell Haywood remembel
d ed the little odd figure and clapping he
$. hands cried, oh, I've something to sho
N you girls, and disappeared.
IS Susan was picking gooseberries IN the par
IS try near the kitchen.
A. Where is the child, Susy? asked Ne
st haywood.
SIS 'On the doorstep, Miss, Susan replied
picking away
why no Susan, there's nobody here, nj
o. body to be seen.'
tn yes, Miss Susan placed her pan dow
r. held her apron up to catch the stems of ii
or berries, and walked deliberately to the doo'
s. Why, she sat here sometime after suppe
e, 1 thought she was a mighty quiet child; b.
ry she's deep, deep, Miss Nelly! she's gone. l.
of me see-there amt any silver around
= should be afeard she'd took something, ths
as are mighty artful.'
on Why, did'n you tell her she might st.
at all nightr Nell haywood was peeping he
and there to spy her if possible.