The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-05-04

blue eyes wore an expression Of intense
melancholy; her hair had beencombed and
cuTled, and some one had put q good pair
Of shoes on her feet
We'll. my little girl, - said the warden
kindly, for he was preposSessed in her
favor, "where have you come frOmr"
New York, =" said the child faintly.
The men looked at each other incredu.
lOusly. r...
"DO you mean to say that you came to
Sing Sing from New York on foot r"
I" Yes, sir" said the child, frightened at
his manner, which had in 1t something of
severity.
"What have you come for ?"
"TO zee my father" the child burst
forth with one great sob, and for mo.
ment her frame mas shaken with tenn.
pest Of feeling.
I" And who is your fathcr:'' asked the
warden kindly.
/" lie is Mr. Lloyd" said the child. as
soon as she could speak for her rushing
SObs.
The warden looked at the jaiIor.
" Lloyd! there are three LlOyds here,
Ronhy, Jim and Dick"
THAT may not be their proper names,"
said the warden.
That's so, said the jailor, "but can
try 'cm oil. Little one, was your fathers
name Jim 7"
The child nodded her head, or they
thought she did; she was all convulsed
by the reaction brought on by the termi.
nation Of her journey.
IF it's Jim, he's bad one" :" said the
jailOr in a low voice, he IL in irons this
morning for attempting to break Jail. lie
don't deserve little girl as looks like that
one, the villain. Come, Child, Ill 60 and
find your father"
He took Katy's shaking hand with
the other she dashed the tears away as
fast as they fell 1t Enlightened her almost
at which the jailor applied the great key ;
and the stiffness Of the long stone pas
sagca, the dimness thrown over all, the
constant succession ofbarc and black walls
was terrible to q sensitive mind like hers
How the heavy tread of the jailor, and
the tread Of the warden behind him, echoed
through the gloom and space. Il was in
truth a great tomb through which they
moved-a tomb in which were confined
living hearts in the awful stiffness. On,
on they went, now through this massive
door, now through that passage way.
Everything spoke Of crime, of fierce pas.
siOns subdued and held in stern control
everything, from the grim face of the Zero.
ciOus watchdog, to the sentinels armed.
Then they turned and went up the stairs,
the jailor holding the scared bird close to
his side with tender clasp, the warden
following. Another tramp aud at last they
come to stand still. The jailor raped
at the cell door. Slowly q man with
harsh, hair-covered face appeared.
Here's youriittlO girl come to see you, y
said the jailor.
Little grill hcml you're green, said
the man in grum accents; "IFve no little
girl, or you wouldn't catch me here"
Father" said the childish voice. It
sounded so sweely, so childish, in that
terrible prison.
But as the scowling face came closer to
the bars, the child hid her head quickly
in the jailOr's arms, half sobbing; it was
not him.
"We'll try the next One." lie walked
further on, and spoke more pleasantly
this time. swell, ROndy, here il little
Katy; don't you want to see her?'
"Little Katyl" There was . long
pause. "I had Katy Once-not little
Katy-I broke her heart-God pity me.
Go on, il can't be for me-"
Again the sweet voice rang out, "FAth.
eri" The prisoner came up to the bars |;
. youthful face framed with light wavy
hair; face in which the blue eyes looked
innocent; . face that seemed q sin to
couple with foul deed, gazed out. saw
the child's earnest pleading, fearful eyes
. dark expression rolled like wave across
his brow: . grOan, he staggered against
llis bed. crying, "Take her away can't
stand the sight Of anything like that"
Katy had hidden her face q second time,
as she feebly cried, ut isn't himl"
Jim, here's . little girl, little Katy,
your daughter, wants to see you"
A stupid "whate" came from the bed
the man had probably just awakened. -
"YOur little daughter"
There was sound Of rattling irons that
made the child shiver. DiInly appeared
the face and outlines Of well made man
the c0untenahce handsome but evil.
He seemed not to comprehend but as fast
~ his chains would permit him, he came
forward and looked out at the anxious face
below. It was almost too much for the
child. With loud, cOnvulsive cry, she
exclaimed
"Father Fatheri' and fell nearly
senseleSs against the jailor.
"Katy I" exclaimed the man, and there
was q nervous twitclIing about the mus
cles Of his mouth; "what in heavens
name brought ybu .herey"
The jailOr was calling the child to con.
sci0usncss.
"ShalI We let her come in the cell ?"
asked the warden.
Jim was dashing his hand across his
Gacc; . smOthered {" yes" issued from his
lips. They opened the p0nderous door
and put her in her ayms were outstretch.
ed his arms were wide open, and they
came together with clanking sound, to-.
gether about the form Of that poor little
child. ,....
20, Father!"
20, Katy. Katy!" and then there was
quiet crying. By and by the man lifted
the little head whose glossy curls were
falling on bis shOulder& After q moments g
irresOlutiOn he kissed her, and then his
head fell under her. earnest loving look.
katy, what made you cOme3"
wanted to see you, Father" and the
head was on his shoulder again.
." How did you come, Katye Never
mind the noise; they arelOcking up; they
will be here again and let you out. How
did you come, Katyl"
~ walked here"
"FrOm New York, child ?"
"Yss, Fatherl' h .....
There vaa no sound save that Of the
chains % he strained her n his bosom.
"And how did you lsave-her, Katy
your mother :" " '"'t 7''''
The question was fearlc@sly asked, but
not responded to. He gaaed eagerly in
"a ID