The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-05-12
Through the Bars Of a Cell.

COURTEOUS READER:-I am the inmate
| of a State Prison. Do not be astonished,
my friend, at being addressed by such a
being. l can assure you l am a special
convict, and, perhaps, some of these days
when | am free, you may encounter my
veritabe self in the bosom Of your sociable
circle. If your curiosity is awakened, l
will breathe to you through the gratings of
my cell roy evensful history. 1t is strange
one, resr ected friend. Indeed make bold
TO say that stranger one was never breath
ed into your ear
| had an only brother. We had been
brought up in distant village, in the State
OF cnnsylvania. Our father died when my
younger brother was BON, leaving my moth
er very poor. She brought US up bravely,
however. l being the eldest, was sent off
at an early age to fight the battle OF lite,
and while helgiqg kg Wysef ,tq do tYs fibre
purpose in my mind made rapid progress
and finally had the har1ihood to set off TO
New York, rightly imagining that there
were the greatest prizes for an ambitious
youth. Full of the most ardent affection
for my mother, | tried to make everything
turn to my own advantage. | felt as tho
every act of my life had an effect upon their
fortunes. This feeling so inspired me that
self denial was not only easy, but delightful.
Feeling s Gid, that all my savings bene-
tited them so greatly, how could do other
wise than save?
was extremely fortunate in New York.
My last employers in the country gave me
letters to one of the chief merchants in that
city. He received me kindly. Finding
out my industrious and saving habits, he
speedily promoted me- Year by year he
added to my salary At length, after years
of labor, | found myself. at the age of
twenty-five, the confidential clerk of my
employer, with a large salary, and the con-
troll of millions.
Some years before l had conceived the
idea of giving my brother good education.
My brother was to me more like son than
anything else. His nature was widely DIFF
ferent from mine | was bold, rcsolute and
daring; he was gentle, poctical, and full Ol
sentiment. l was stern, practical and in'
dependent he was quiet, reliant and med
itative. was formed for life of warfare
and action, he tor life Of study and med
itation.
He went to college. His progress va.
remarkable; he was at the head Of every.
thing; he graduated with the hi CHEST hon
ors. | saw him at the final exhibition
when he obtained his degree. I admired
and applauded more than any one else my
young brother. In truth. as he stood there
with his fragile form, bis pale face. his eye
beaming with the light Of genius, he was
worthy of all the admiration had to be-
stow l have his portrait now with me-
1t resembles the poet Shelley more than any
face that have ever seen.
My brother went home, and, as suppos
Il IL
ponded always with my mother. My broth
er was always irregular in letter writing,
and l never thought much OF not hearing
from him. | soon became troubled, how
ever, at learning that he was unwell.
recommended trip across the ocean and q
tour through Europe, and offered to pay
an1iously to learn the effect. l did no,
hear from hone for nearly month. grew
very anxious, and thought very seriousl,
of paying them a visit. Since my depar
ture, fifteen years before, had never beer
home, and had only met my relatives OF
their visits 10 me at New York.
One day on going to the Office l found I
telegraphic dispatch. The words Of tha
dispatch have burned themselves into m,
memory:
Your brother is dying! Come home =
1t was strangers name Great God m.
brother dying! A stranger, too. telegraph
log to me! What means all this? Was N,
mother also dying?
l never closed my eyes for three day
and three nights, nor did eat mouthiu
until came in sight of my native town il
Pennsylvania. l waited for two hours try
: ing to overcome my agitation created b.
, fasting and want of sleep. Ordinarily noth
ing ruffled me; but now was As weak a
child. | xalked up the main street.
came within sight of the old familiar cot
.. tage. The blinds were all down. Grea
! Heaven. | was not prepared for such
, blow. l dreaded the worst The wors
i had come. A stranger opened the door,
stranger stared st me i recognized mucl
of the old furniture with which my mothe