The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-03-27


uT.ook ont that window, sir, and
von,n see. lust over the road,a woman
LII child in her arms, standing in a
door way. That's my wife and baby
my poor wife and baby. She doesn't
know Pm here-thank God for that.
I came here under wrong name, and
she supposes I'm 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, I've seen her, every day
now, these three months. 1t used to
make me era, +, but I bear it better
now. But this chance-this great
chance-was too much for me. And
to think that l came near losing all
hope Of ever seeing her again =
Could / doubt those struggling soos
and tears? There was truth IN every
tone. I looked through the window,
and saw as he told me, "a woman stand
inc on a threshold opposite with a lit
tie child. She tossed 1t up Iaughlngly
once or twice and disappeared.
You won't trust me, L know, SAID
the prisoner; "but want to beg you
not to let the warden know OF this.
It's of no use, know. Well, l swear
that I'll be true to home after this.
Nothing but three years solitary con-
fnement now, and who can live thro'
that? No, no, you'll let this go by,
won't you? You may believe me-
you may indeed"
Feet shutting along the passage? an
nounced the return of my companions
The prisoner endeavored to calm him
self, and l put on an air OF unconcern
which think was very successful IN
der the circumstances.
" Not shaved yet? ?" said the war
den, astonished. Ifhe had but known
how close shave | had been through;
* have broken my razor, SAID
Johnson looking appealingly at me.
" See sir! must have another"
Very well,'' said the warden.
" Will you wait % he asked me.
q think not" said l. " Another
time will do for me.
So [ wiped off my face and we went
on our way.
OF course I was bound to tell the
warden what had happened, but even
in that great excitement which natu-
rally followed so narrow an escape, l
think that [ set forward all that L
could in the poor fellows favor. The
warden receivd the story with perfect
composure. and assured me he would
act in such a manner as he thought
the occasion needed. He condemned
his own heedlessness in opening so
evident an opportunity for guilt, with
much more earnestness than he spoke
OF tho event itself.
could not resist visiting the wife Of
johnson. l discovered that his story
was true, and learned his real name
She was happy III her ignorance OF his
real condition. | sought to ascertain
whether she was able to sustain her
self until he should rejoin her; anc
then she told me that Mr.. M, the
warden of the prison, had also come tC
her, shown interest in her behalf, fol
which she could not well account, and
assured her Of his aid and protection
in 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 II
was much copied, and, / suppose, viii
be readily remembered:
d" 1t is the custom at the prison Of
D-to permit prisoners whose terms
are within few weeks of expiration
to work outside the walls under the
supervision of an officer. This priv
lego is in most cases gladly accepted
A few weeks ago, however, it was de
clined by man, who, as his time 0
freedom drew near, appeared more
restless under his confinement thai
any Of the others. On inquiry it wa
found that this prisoner had wife ant
child living directly within view of thu
walls, and that for nearly three years h
had seen her daily, she being all the while
ignorant of his imprisonment, and sup
posing that her husband, who was
sailor, was at sea on a long voyage
He was unwilling that, at the last mo
mcnt the fact should be revealed t.
her; and at his own request, he con
tinued within the walls until his liber
alton, which took place last week. Elk
cepting on one occasion, his condue
been without a blemish."