The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-05-25
THROUGH THE BARS OF A CELL.

COURTEOUS READER:-I am the in
mate of State Prison. Do not be as
tonisled, my friend, at being address
ed by such a being. ! can assure you
/ am special convict, and, perhaps,
some of these days when l am free,
you may encounter my verifable self
in the bosom of your social circle. If
your curiosity is awakened, will
breathe to you through the gratings of
my cell my eventful history. 1t is a
strange one, respected friend. Indeed
| make bold to say that stranger one
was never hreatlied into your ear.
| had an only brother. Wehad been
brought up in q 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. /
being the eldest, was sent off atan ear
~ age to fight the battle of life, and,
while helping myself, to do something
toward helping others. With This no.
bic purpose in my mind | made rapid
progress, and finally had the hardihood
to set off to New York, rightly imagi-
ming that there were the greatest prizes
fQr an ambitious youth. Full of the
most ardent affection for my brother, l
tried to make everything turn to my
own Advancement. ] felt as though
every act of my life had an effect upon
their fortunes. This feeling soinspired
me that self-denial was not only easy,
but delightful. Feeling as did, that
all my savings benefited them so great.
| ly, how could l do otherwise than
save? 81 5s.
| was extremely fortunate in New
York. My last employers in the conn.
try gave me letters to one of the chic
merchants in that city. He received
me kindly. Finding out my industri
Gus and saving habits, he speedily pro.
melted me. Year by year he added tt
my salary. At length, after years o
labor, I found myself, at the age o
twenty five, the confidential clerk o
my employer, with large salary, ant
the control of millions.
| Some years before l had conceived
the idea of giving my brother a goot
education. My brother was to MI
mole like son than anything else.-
His nature was widely different from
mine. l was bold, resolute and daring
he was gentle, poetical, and full 0
sentiment. l was stern, practical ant
!, independent; he was quiet, reliant ant
meditative. was formed fur life o
warfare and action; he for a life O
stndy and meditat :on.
4 He went to college. His progress
was remarkable; he was at the head il
everything; he graduated With th'
highest honors. Isaw him at the fina
exhibition when he obtained his de
gree. l admired and applauded more
than any one else my young BROTHER
In truth, as he stood there with his fra
! gile form, his pale face, his eye beamin.
with the light of genius, he was worth,
of all the admiration had to bestow
I have his portrait now with me. /
resembles the poet Shelley more thai
any face that / have ever seen.
My brother went home, and, as
supposed, studied for his profession
1 corresponded always with my moth
I r. My brother was always irregular
IN letter writing, and I never though
much OF not hearing from him. l sool
became troubled, however, at learning
that Ire was unwell. I recommended
trip across the ocean and tour through
Europe, and offered to pay his expen
SEES. After this offer waited anxious
~ to learn the effect. / did not hea
from home for nearly month. l gres
lvery anxious, and thought seriously q