Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-05-11

l came back to London, say, but on
ly to rest few weeks aud then start out
| anew.
Once in the old fam liar city, and in
my old home, old habits, too resumed
their sway. and each day found me at one
of the several prisons, pursuing my accus-
toned rounds of visits among tho hun
dreds incacerated there.
Entering Newgate, on morning, was
accosted by one of the chief officials an
| old friend of mine
you are just the right man in the righs
place, sir 7 be exclaimed I was wishing
you would happen aloug. The fact is, |
want your help. There is fne- looking
young fellow here, just committed for trial
last night, and he is very ill. I don't
believe, sir, that the boy is guilty of any
thing except keeping bad company. You
see, he continued, as we walked along the
corridors, the police made raid, last
night, on house five miles out Of the
city. They had received information that
gang of burglar, and counterfelters made
| the place their headquarters, and they
found them there, sure enough, and nabb
ed the whole lot of them. This young
fellow is an altogether different-looking
sort of man from the rest he vas not
with them, but up stairs, sick in bed
OF course, his being there at all was sus-
picious ; so the officers brought him along
and he was com mitted for trial with the
others. And l say, sir, though, may be,
| shouldn't continued the warm hearted
officer, that it's downright shame =
That poor fellow will die before his trial
can come on. He needs better care than
we can give him. He declareshc is innocent
and, by Jove! l believe him Won't you
60 in and talk to him. Sir, and see if
something cannot be done for him 2
That l will . 1 exclaimed, laughingly;
especially as feel soiho cur losity to see
the youth who has fascinated a hardened
old jailor like you ?
In few moments more, my friend
ushered me into the young mans cell, and
then left us alone, while he proceeded to
attend to his duties
The prisoner was lying down on the
outside of the rude pallet bed, and started
up as | entered.
There was an embarrassing pause as we
stood gazing at each other i'll dim light.
had expected to find rough, com
mon man but, although | was unable to
trace his features, there was something
in his bearing that convinced me that he
had sprung from the higher c!assed, and
had moved 10 good society.
He, on his part, had evidently expected
to see one Of his jaiiors, and was equally
surprised as myself
at length broke the silence by infor-
ming him that | had for years been &C
customed to visit the prison, and alleviate
the condition Of the. captives as far as pos
sible, and that had come as friend, to
ascertain whether | could be of any use
to him.
While was speaking, the youth { he
could not have been over twenty seemed
strangely agitated. Sinking back upon
the bed, he covered bis face with his hands
and for some time after | had finished
made no reply.
You are very kind, SIR he said, at
longth, in sti6ed voice. I do not
deserve such treatment
am great siner, sir although I am
guilty OF no crime that the law can take
bold Of, yet have sinned against God, |
snd-my friends
He sprung to his feet, and rapidly
paced to and fro.
'Yes, l am great sinner I see it all
now. [ am thankful that nv mother died |
when was an innocent child. And my
poor father !-ah, sir his head is whittier |
than age alone has made it, and his heart
is well-nigh broken. Oh help me out
of this troubule, that may bring no futh,
er disgrace on him, and will 60 to him
and ask his forgiveness in all sincerity
Ipromised to do all that was in my
power, and then elected from him all the |
facts connected with his incarceration.
They were briefly these He had been !
taken ill., and one of his companions,
whom he had believed to be guilty of
nothing worse than dissipation, had in
vited him to his married brothers. house
1t was just out of London, he told him,
and his ssterin-law would give him all
the attention he required.
The youth had gladly accepted the in
visation, and arriving at the house, weak
and suffering, had Immediately retired to
his bed, from which he had not arisen un-
til dragged from it by the officers of the
law.
'And now,' said I, as he concluded, /
perhaps you can be of use to me in
purpose have very much at heart.
hsve'for mounths been searching for
young man-William Bclton-and from
what you have told me, should judge
that his case much resembles your own.
He was led away by evil companions, and
after years of patient remonstrance and
pleading, his poor father was at last COM
PEELED to disown him. as the last chance
of awakening him to true sense Of bis
sinful course. But instead, he disappear.
ed, and his father, tried in vain to find
him And |, bis best friend, gave him
my solemn promise never to rest until |
had found the erring boy. and had told
him that his fathers last words were. i
forgive him y
What whatV shrieked the young
prisoner, as he sprung to his feet, and
laid a trembling grasp on my arm. =
dead ? Dead Oh, don't tell me that
Oh, Uncle Win, Uncle Will, don't you
know me 2
And then he fell on his knees, and sobb-
ing bitterly, dropped his head on my
shoulder.
Ny heart gave great leap!
Yes, it was he for whom had been
searching SO long, and now had met at last
lin felon's cell.
Time & had not seen him for two years.
and dissipation, and illness, had SO chang
ed him that had not recopnized him