Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-04-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
THRoUGH THE BANS OF A CELL.

COURTEoUs READER:-I am the inmate
of a State Prison. Do not be astonished,
my friend, at being addressed by such q
being. can assure you am a special
convict, and, perhaps, some of these days
when am free, you may encounter my
veritable self In the bosom of your social
CIRCLE. If your curiosity is awakened,
viii breathe to you through, the gratings
ofmy cell my eventful history. 1t is a
strange one, respected friend, Indeed !
make bold to say that stranger one was
never breathed into your ear.
brought up in a distant village,
in the State of Pennsylvania. Our
father died when my younger
brother was born, leaving my
mother very poor. She brought us up
bravely, however. / Ibeing the eldest, was
sent offat an early age to fight the battle of
life, and, while helping myself, todo some
thing toward helping others. With this
noble purpose in my mind made rapid
progress, and finally had the hardihood 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, I tried to
made everything turn to my own advance
ment. felt as though every act of my
Life had an effect upon their fortunes.
This feeling so inspired me that self-de-
nial was not only easy, but delightful.
Feeling as / did, that all my savings bene
dted them so greatly, how could do
otherwise than save
I was extremely fortunate in New York.
My last employers in the country gave
me letters to ono 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 large salary, and
the control of millions.
Some years before had conceived the
idea of giving my brother good educa-
ton. My brother was to me more like
son than anything else. His nature was
widely different from mine. was bold,
resolute and daring; he was gentle, poeti-
cal, and full of sentiment. I was stern,
practical and independent; he was quiet,
reliant and meditative. / was formed for
q life of warfare and action; he for life
of study and meditation
he went to college. His progressswas
remarkable; he was at the head In every
thing; he graduated with the highest hon
ors. saw him at the final exhibition
when he obtained his degree. admired
and applauded more than any one else my
young brother. In truth, as he stood
there with his fragile form, his pal face,
he was worthy of all the admiration had
to bestow. Ihave his portrait now with
me. It resembles the poet Shelley more
than any face that have ever seen.
Ny brother went home, and, as sup
posed, studied for his profession. cor
responded always with my mother. My
brother was always irregular in letter
writing, and i never thought much of not
hearing from him. soon became
troubled, however, at learning that ne
was unwalL 7 recommended trip across
the ocean and tour through Europe, and
offered to pay his expenses. After this
offer waited anxiously to learn the ef-
feet. did not hear from home for near
" q month. j grew very anxious, and
thought seriously of paying them visit
Since my departure, fifteen years before,
had never been home, and had only met
my relatives on their visits to ne at New
York sa
One day ON going to the Office found
stelegraphic dispatch. The words of that
dispatch have burned themselves into my
memory:
1t was strangers name. Great God
my brother dyingl A stranger, too. tele-
graphing to me What meant all thisP
Was my mother also dying?
never closed my eyes for three days
and three nights, nor did 1 eat a mouthful
until came IN sight OF my native town in
Pennsylvania. waited for two hours
trying to overcome my agitation created
by fasting and want of sleep. Ordinarily
nothing ruffled me; but now / was as
weak as child. 1 walked up the main
street. I came within sight of the old
familiar cottage. The blinds were all
down. Great Heavenl was not prepared
for such.a blow 1 dreaded the worst.
The worst had come. A stranger opened
the door-a stranger stared at me. /
recognized much of the old furniture with
which my mother would not part. l saw
my brothers portrait hanging in the hall
Are they inG" gasped out, not know
ing what said.
No one recognized me. did not wish
to be recognized. Fearful of being an OBJ
ject of vulgar pity, had determined to
act as stranger. So, with all the calm
ness that could muster, asked after my
mother by name Then the blow fell The
woman. at the door spoke solemnly:
"She's dead, Sir"
g Hadn't she a SOM" / asked, with a
trightful attempt at indifference.
Yes, &ir-his death broke her down.
She died next day"
Unfortunate peoplei"
"Ah yes, Sir. There's never been q
death lR The village SO unfortunate, Es-