Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-11-23
A YEAR IN PRISON.
From the watehman lad Reaector.

airy, | see said a tall, clerical-looking
man, TO one somewhat younger than him
self A bad example for US ministers
to set the world he added, smiling dryly.
Nevertheless I'm there was the re-
ply and there l suppose shall re-
main for the present, especially as you,
in the office of chaplain, have given me
the benefit of your example,
Yes, and glad enough was / to get
out. 1 can tell you, sir, that you have a
barren field before you-all flint, all
rock. ] never saw so hopeless set of
men. You can't get near them, sir
you can't get near them. Christianize
them? Why, they are worse than
The heather. They're adamant. -
They'll laugh in your face when you tell
of religion, or else be SO penitent that
you easily see it's all mockery. For my
part ! used to lose all heart. / hope
you won't brother, but it's hard feld.'
Indeed, I pray that l may have grace
given me, was the reply, with a sunny
smile.
How different the aspect of the two
men! One sombre, dark, forbiddingly
solemn; the other cheerful, 1.-THE and
frank in every feature. Gloomy enough
might a prison look, with its rows Of
hardvisaged conyicts, its stern and silent
keepers, and in the chapel pulpit a cler-
gyman solemn as the grave, and as dark
and cherries.
There was a stir among the men, as
the new chaplain entered on the succeed
ing Sabbath. He seemed like a sun
beam, for he carried the joy of his heart
on his face, and his love and goodwill to
man were conspicuous in his very move
ments. 1t was not without dread, and a
shiver of disgust, that he had walk ed
through gloomy halls, over stone flag
ging heard tie ponderous keys turn in
the locks the slamming to of the nigh
ty iron doors watched here and there
a pale, scowling face looking out from
behind the bars. 0, yes, his heart had
sunk down, down, till it felt more like a
leaden weight than anything warm and
human, but as he thought, what must
tn, Sc poor fellows feel, who Though
they are sinful, and perhaps hardened, are
yet men-men with impulses as ardent
as mine, it may be with affections as
lively, and sympathies as keen? l will
brighten up, then, and try to cheer them,
| will teach them that Christ is ready
TO make their prison a paradise, if they
will only open the doors of their hearts
and let Him in. This was the reason
why he stifed his feelings and entered
the chapel with smiling face, as if he
meant to make friends of them all.
What an assembly it wasl Ferociou!
faces disfgured with boards, and tn,
wicked light OF illgleaming eyes; gray
headed men, whose faces seemed carved
all over with iniquity; the sensual lip
malignant sheer, the contemptuous smil,
he took them all in. And yet anon,
these evil faces looked forth fair an,
generous countenance, now and ther
That was scarcely more than a boy Sc. t
ed before him, whose mild blue eve
seemed never to have looked with unhol
longing upon any of the lures of tn
wicked world. o, to save him H
could not be old in wickedness.
The stolid, brutal face met his view
the under look from the thick. bush
eyebrow; the stupid down-hanging {
head and neck artful meekness, so evi
IDENTIFY put on for the occasion, and tha
when he was not looking, was quick
exchanged for grimaces, winks an
shrugs. All these were not lost on hin
for the minister was quick sighted, an
moreover had the admirable art of cor
trolling the attention of those he addres,
ed.
A plain Gospel sermon was that whic
be preached. No particular referenc
was made TO their peculiar condition
the fact that all men we're sinners wa
broadly stated, and the remedy fully ex
planned. Have done any good?' though
the young minister, as he sat down afte
giving out the closing hymn. Thou
Lord, knowest, let me be satisfied tina
thou wilt apply Thine own truth to thes
poor, maynard hearts,
As he went out, there were many call
for the chaplain.
DO as you please about going sir
said the jailer they have all hard sto
ries to tell about some fancied grievanc
or other
i will 60, as l have leisure reptile
The young man, anxious to learn the rou
tine OF prison life. First l will yisi