Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-03-06


into the space behind him, pointing at
the same time behind him, and in the
same direction with my arm. By a
llucky chance I pointed to the window.
| / think that movement saved my
life. t
He stopped, irresolute, glanced at the
window, flung bis hands over his head.
gasped as if be we're choking, and
dasbing the razor against the wall, fell
trembling upon his knees. As I slept
swiftly across the floor, be called out to
me.
Don't go, don't gor he said. Stand
at the door if you choose, but wait a
minute. It's all over now; and per-
haps If you hear me. you won't wonder
that l was driven mad
1 hardly knew how to act; but as 1
involuntarily checked my steps, be con-
tinued:
Look ont at that window, sir, and
you'n see,- Just over the road, a woman
with child in her arms, standing in a
doorway. That's nv wife and baby
nv poor wife and baby. She doesn't
know I'm here-thank God for that.
came here under a wrong name,
and she supposes l am far away at sea.
I'm sure it would break her heart to
know the truth. Well, sir, that's my
home. I've seen it, and I've seen her,
every dav now, these three months. It
used TO make me crazy, but l bear it
better now. But this chance--this
great chance, was too much for me-
And to think that 1 came near losing
all hope Of ever seeing her againl
Could l doubt those struggling sobs
and tears? There was truth in every
tone. l looked at the window, and
saw as he told me, a woman standing
on the threshold opposite. with little
child. She tossed it up laughingly once
or twice and disappeared.
You won't trust me, / know said
the prisoner; but l want to beg you
not to let the warden know of this
It's no use, / know
We'll, 1 swear, that I'll be true to
home after this. Nothing but three
years solitary confinement now, and
who can live through that? No, no.
you'll lei this go by. won't you? You
may believe me--you may indeed
Feet shutting along the passages an
nounced the return Of my companions.
The prisoner endeavored to calm him
self,--and put on an air of concern
which | think was very successful un-
I der the circumstances.
Not shaved yet?' said the warden.
astonished. II he had but known how
close a shave l had been through
1 have broken my razor said john
son looking appeallngly at me. See.
sir, must have another
Very well.' said the warden, will
you wait, he asked me.
Il think not said /. another time
will do for me-
So wiped of my face and we went
on our way.
or course I was bound to tell the
warden what had happened; but even
in that great excitement which natur-
ally followed so narrow an escape, l
set forward all l could in the poor fel-
lows favor. The warden received the
story with perfect composure and as
surcd me that he would act in such
manner as the occasion needed. He
condemned his own heedlessness in
opening so evident an opportunity for
guilt with much more earnestness than
he spoke of the event itself.
could not resist visiting the wife Of
johnson. / discovered that his story
was true, and learned his real name
She was happy in her ignorance of his
real condition. l sought to ascertain
whether she was able to sustain herself
until he should rejoin her and then she
told me that Mr.. --, the warden Of
the prison, had also come to her;
shown interest in her behalf, for which
she could not well account, and assured
her of his aid and protection 10 any
need that might come to her She was
most grateful but wondered why he had
done so.
A few months ago the following
newspaper paragraph appeared. 1t
was much copied. and suppose, will
be very readily remembered:
!. 1T is the custom at the prison ol
D. to permit prisoners whose
terms are within few weeks Of expi.
ration, to work outside the walls under
the supervision Of an officer. This
privilege is in most cases gladly accep-
ted. A few weeks ago, however. il
was declined by man, who. as his
time of freedom drew near, appeared
more restless under his confinement,
than any of the others. On inquiry il
was found that this prisoner had a wife
and child living directly within view ol
the walls. and that for nearly three
years he has seen her daily, she being
Ill the while ignorant Of his imprison-
ment. and supposing that her husband,
who was a sailor, was at sea on long
voyage. He was unwilling that, at the
last moment the fact should be revealed
to her; and at his own request, he con-
tinued within the walls until his liberia
ton, which took place last week. Ex-
cepting on one occasion, his conduc,
has been without blemish.'
! ~We hear Of stealing kiss. But
why should lady charge gentleman