The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-07-26

State Prtson-IHree Uiocs IN Iadi-
ana-One Wife IN New York-One
Wfe IN Baltimore-And Uucounted
Fires Elsewhere.
Passing through the Southern Pris-
on the other evening, nv attention
haye a sort of supervision of the hos
pital. 1t was my second visit to this
delectable institution, and [ felt some
interest in asking for the welfare OF
the innocents. Without exception,
every one who talked to me was an
innocent man-the victim of circum-
stances. In this particular case, my
sympathics were enlisted for a con-
vict named Greene, a Babtist preacher
by profession, according to the record
of the prison, incarcerated "for OBJ
tanning signature undertake. pretense."
"He is" said the warden, Colonel
Shuler, to ME, zone of the most IL
telligent men in the prison. He de-
livered a lecture t the prisoners the
other evening, which was truly remar
kable. He is natural orator.. and
can handle a subject with case and
power"
My man Greene was seated by the
stove, and as l was introduced, arose
and offered ME his chair l took an
other near by and sat down. In this
time | observed that he was over fifty
years of age, short set, with a very
intellectual heal. The forehead was
broad and high, reaching higher at
the temples, ard hedged about by a
two inch crop of iron-gray hair The
eyebrows were dainty, and arched over
large, beaming, and impressive black
eyes. A fair and comedy nose formed
the centre Of well shaped cheeks, and
ended the fair outward seeming OF the
man. A crueller, colder, more SEN
sual, and
D~ECEPrIoUS AND TREACHEROUR
never graced a rascal. The chin, too,
was bad, and in keeping with the ri
bald throat.
He talked to me in q pleasant tone
for some time, abiding finally to his
''prcsent difficulties"
Correspondent-How did they come
about?
Convict-You sec 1 had a charge in
Grecusburg.
Correspondenr-What kind of a
''charge I"
Ccnvict-Charge of the Baptist
Church. 1 got into a little difficulty
l had a note in bank for $500. and
when it came due l could not pay it,
and one of my endorsers went back on
me.
Correspondent-That was very cru
Convict-Yes, it was hard to bear.
You see, 1 wcs building a fence round
my house, and improving my side
walk, and could not raise the money.
Correspondent-Did not the church
give you a sufficient support?
Convict-A very nice support, in
deed. l had a beautiful church, and
a lovely charge. My endorser went
back on me though.
Correspondent-Was he a member
of your charge?
Convict-No, but he was a Bap-
fist.
Correspondent-That was sad.
Convict-It was very, very sad.
Correspondent-flow did it al
happen?
Convict-You see I wanted some
money, and to get him to go upon my
note, L rather imposed upon him L
represented to him that l had some
property, which you see I had made
out worth more than it was. l own
up to that. When 1 failed to pay the
note, he inquired into it, and came to
me and charged me with having de-
ceived him. You see l did deceive
him and 1 owned up to him. He had
me arrested. 1 did wrong. 1 W to
that.
Correspondent-That owning up
was very foolish of you. Why did
you not say you never did it, and
DARE HIM TO PROVE IT?
1 had proceeded thus far when he
turned his head away impatiently.-I
had been watching me out of the
corner of his eye all the time he was
me the plausible story, the
only of which is given above.
Finding l did not believe him, he re-
into a kind Of imperturbable
sullenness impossible to describe
"What became of your family all this
l asked, at length
II hav'nt any family but a wife,"
he replied, s'and she has been to see
several times since my i%mprison-
ment. She is a loving oma Her
home is in Baltimore"
Those who knew her in Green's
burg say that she is a most amiable
woman, and her appearance is very
prepossessiug. Which one of the
many wives of the wolf in sleeps
she claims to be, I ana unable
10 say.
Since my return I have been shown
letter from a respectable citizen of a
,aiohborino State. which Tins briefly