Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-02-21

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to know the truth. Well sir, that's my
hone. I've seen it, and I've seen her ev-
cry day fer three months 1t used to
make me crazy, but bear it better now.
But this chance this great ehance-was
toe much for me. And to think that ]
came near losing all hope of ever seeing
her again
Could | doubt trese struggling sobs and
tears? Thqre was truth in every tome
| looked through the window and saw, as
he told me, woman standing on the
Threshold opposite with little child
You wont trust me, [ know, said the
prisoner; but l want to beg OF you not to
let the warden know of this. It's no use
l know. Well, swear that I'll be true
to home after this. Nothing but three
solitary years now, and who can live thro'
that ?-No, no. you'll let this go by, wont
you? You may belieys me,
Feet shifting along the passages announ-
ced the return of my companions. The
prisoner endeavored to calm himself. and
put on an air of uneoncern which I think
was very successful under the circumstap-
ces
Not shaved yet! said the warden II
he had but known how close shave l had
been through, o
l 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-
] think not, said /, another time will do
fer me.
So wiped my face, and we vent on
our way.
Of course | was bound to tell the war;
den what had happened !; but even in that
great excitement which had naturally fol
lowed so narrow an escape, | think that
set forward all that could in the peor
fellows favor The warden received tie
story with perfect composure, ana assured
me that he would act in such manner as
he thought the occasion needed. He con-
demned his own heedlessness in opening
SO evident an opportunity for guilt, with
much mere earnestness than be spoke Of
the event itself.
could not resist visiting the wife of
johnson. discovered that his story was
true and learned his real name Sic was
happy in her ignorance of his real condi-
ton. | sought to ascertain whether she
was able to sustain herself until be should
rejoin her; and then she told me that
Mr.. - the wardel Of the prison. had
alse come to her, shown interest in her be-
half, for which she could not well sccount,
and assured of his aid and protection in
any need that might come 20 her. She
was most grateful, but wondered why he
had done so.
A few months ago the following news
paper paragraph appeared 1t was much
copied, and suppose will be remembered;
1t is the custom of the prisen of D to
permit prisoners whose terms are within a
few weeks of expiration, to work outside
the walls under the supervision of an off
GER. This privilege is, in most eases glad
ly accepted. A few weeks ago however,
it was denied by man, who, as his time
of Fl eedem drew near, appeared more rest
less under his confinement than any 9th
ers. On inquiry it was found that this
prisoner had wife and child living direct
ly within short view of the walls, and
that for nearly three years he had seen
her daily, she being all the while ignorant
of his imprisonment, and suppesing that
her husband, whe was sailer, was at sea
on a long voyage. He was unwilling that,
at the last moment. the fact should be re-
vealed to her; and at bis own request be
continued within the walls until his liberia
ton. Excepting on one occasion, his con-
duct while in prison has been without
blemsh