Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-07
Misffllat,fons.
THE LOST BOY.

4 u
He gives the following as one of the incl
control of the institution:
81 had been few months in charge of
the prison, when my attention was attract
ed to, and deep interest felt in the mum.
erous boys and young men who were con-
lined there, aud permitted to work in the
same shops with old and hardend convicts
The interest was increased on every even
ing as saw them congregate in gangs,
marching to their meals, and thence to
their gloomy heidi ooms, which are more
/ like living sepulchres with iron shrouds
than sleeping apartments. These young
men and boys being generally the shortest
IN height, brought up the rear OF the COM
panies, a they marched 10 the terrible
'lock-step, and consequently more easily
attracted attention To see many Youthful
J forms and bright countenances mingled
with the old and hardened scoundrel>.
whose ysages hetokened vice. malice. and
crime. was sckening to the soul. Blu,
there was one among the boys, lad OF
about seventeen years of age, who had
particularly attracted my attentions not
from anything superior in his countenance
or appearance. but by the look of utter
despair which ever sat upon his brow, and
the silent, uncomplaining manner in which
he submitted to all the hardships and deg
radations of prison life. He was often
complained OF by both officers and men.
and / thought unnecessarily for light ana
trivial offenses against the rules OF propii
ETY.. yet he had seldom any excuse or
apology. and never denied the charge
He took the reprimand, and once the pun
ishment, without tear on murmur, al
~
thankful that it was no worse He had
evidently seen better days, and enjoyed
the light of home parents and friends, if
not the luxuries OF life. But the light OF
hope seemed to have gone out. his health
was poor-bs frame fragile, and no fire
beamed in his dark gray eyes. ! thought.
every night as / saw him march to his
gloomy bed would 60 to him and learn
his history, but had so many duties to per-
! form, and SO much 10 learn and do that
day after day passed. and would neglect
him, having merely learned that his name
was Arthur Lamb, ard that his crime was
/ burglary and larceny, indicating very
bad boy for one so young. He had already
been there a year and had two more TO
serve. He never could outlive the sem
tence inflicted He felt it. He worked
at stone cutting on the State House, hence
my opportunities for seeing him were less
than though he worked in the prison yard;
sill his pale face haunted me day and
night. and resolved the next day Sab
bath. as he came from Sabbath school, |
would send for him and learn his history.
1t happened, however, that as | was one
day in store. waiting the transaction of
some business, and having picked up an
old newspaper, had read and re-read ii
while delayed. until at last my eyes fell
upon an advertisement of A Lost Boy
Information wanted of ii boy named Ar
thur q will not give his right name.
for perhaps he may be living.) And then
followed a description of the boy exactly
corresponding to that of the young con-
Wet. Arthur Lamb.
Then there was somebody cared for the
poor boy. If indeed it was he; perhaps Il
mother, his father, his brothers and sisters.
who were searching for him. The adver-
tisement was year old. yet doubted
not; and as soon as the conyicts were
locked up, | sent for Arthur Lamb. He
came, rs matter of course. with the
same uncomplainng face and hopeless
gait. thinking, no doubt, that something
had gone wrong. and had been laid to his
charge.
was examining the convict's register,
when looked up. and there he stood. Il
perfect plctnre ol uespa"' asked hiln
ms name. i''S rtpiY "aH:
-Arthuf'
Arthur what
'Arthur-Lamb. said he hesitatingly
nave N"" " i''h'r "r ui"'hef i'Nihe'
"Sheu'
ms eye, nr'Gn'ehe'' ms voice 4ui''Fed'
rs ne eNeFimeu'
Oh nave you heard from mo'he'? Is She
allVe:
Ana then tears Which had never seen
him shed before. ifii ihe great tain-dr"ps
down his cheeks
IS he became cam from suspense,
told him that mad not hearo from MS
mother, hat that had paper wished
him to read. lie took the advertisement,
which | had ent from the paper and as he
read he exclaimed =.
That is me That Is me
And again tears aud SobS choked his ut
terance.