Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-09-14
5ftistellaneolls.
WOnnanss LOve--A Beautiful In
cideMt.

( cldeMt.
Six years ago, young man Just enter
ing life, under the influence of rum, com.
mitted crime against society, was tried in
this city, convicted and sent to Waupin,
where he served out his term behind the
prison bars Before his trial fair girl had
promised to Ink fortunes with him, and
cruel was the blow fer her. All through
the six long years did she wait for the day
Of his release. With true woman's heart
she had believed him innocent at last before
God and like the magnet she held on her
steady way, her heart pointing ever to the
future Long were the years to him.
Slow passed the hours Seconds were mi
nutes minutes were hours-hours days
days weeks-weeks months-months years,
and the years were like ages. Every toll
ing of the prison bell struck deep into his
heart, and every sunset took another thread
from his long skein Nor were the hours
less weary to her. Hope, that blessed an
gel, sat beside her by day, and resposed on
her pillow by night. Some there were who
laug he'd at her holy love-who sneered 50
meanly at her lover-a prisoner miles away.
But little mattered it to her. Others might
sheer, but she remained true to her heart
and him. Others might point to man in
PRISONS garb, toiling away from morn till
night, with but one star to guide him on. -
She saw but the honest soul that might be
saved-or be lost-and woman that she was,
nerved herself to bear the jibes and jeers
Blessed words came to him in his lonely
cell, words of love. Of hope, Of kindness, land
stronger grew the heart of him who had
truly his better angel watching over lis un-
broken nature.
Each word from her lightened the hours
as they slow y went by, and longer grew
the day on which liberty was to come. Men
visited him, and threw into his cell a mad
denina thought on which his soul must feed,
and tremblingly shrink to the darkest cor
ner of its living temple. Then letter from
her would dash aside the dark curtains, and
beckon him to spot of sunshine, outside,
and beyond his present reach.
So passed the years. Friends died and he
wont over them. The sin was long since
moro than atoned for, and at last the little
snot Of sunshine crept to his cell, and enter
;na Nv fhe kcvhofe Of the door, led him forth
INTO the bright rays of liberty. He was con.
dncted to the Office Of the prison by McGraw
and citizens dress instead of prison suit
aiven unto him. and into an inner roomt
Where she, who. years before, had promised
hafore Cod to be his. What meeting -
'Tis not for us to speak OF It,
On the evening train the two arrived in
=, ~, and were bv one of our divines
; ;oi0 s IN marriage. We we're witness at
The ceremony, and never shall forget it
n 1ns forget the eye mosened with tears Of
HAPPINESS bari nor the throbbings of the heart
that had 50 long waited and trusted. sa-
we'd, saved May the future De all the o s's
fer for the dark cloud that so long has hung
over it, and true friends be ever ready to
lend helping hand We believe in wo-
mar, mans love-in woman's devotion more n
after alfts, knowing the facts above stated; God
bless the true heart, wherever found Nit
,youhie Sentinel.