Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-07


d1ss6Sed II euv 81 II, they were all arres-
nd fpr burglary, and as a portion Of the
propertv taken from the store which had
beer, robbed, was found In his possession,
he too, was tried, convicted, and sem
fenced. He had no friends. no money,
and dared not write home. 50 hope sank
within him. he resigned himself to bis
fate,--never expecting to get out OF prison
or see his parents again.
Upon inquiring OF the two young con-
victs who came with him on the same
charge. learned that what Arthur said
was true, and that his only crime was
keeping bad company, leaving his home,
and unknowingly receiving stolen
goods. Questioned separately they all
told the same story, and left no doubt in
my mind Of the boys innocence.
Full Of compassion for the unfortunate
little fellow, sat down and wrote full
description of Arthur, his condition, and
his history, as / obtained it from him.
painting the horrors of the place. the
hopelessness of his being reformed there,
even if guilty. and the possibility of not
living out his sentence, and described the
process to be used to gain his pardon.
L HIS i stul dCCOluiuS W NhS uhSNtAoh III
the advertisement. But week after week
passed, and no answer came. The boy
inquired if had heard from his mother,
until at last hope, long deferred, made his
heart sick, and again he dropped and pinned.
At length letter came. Such letter !!
1t was from the Rev. DR.. Bellows, of New
York. He had been absent in distant
city, but the moment this good man read
the letter he responded. The father of the
boy had become almost insane on account
of his sons long mysterious absence; he
had left his former place of residence. and
moved from city to city, and from town to
town, and travelled up and down the
country, seeking the lost and loved. He
had spent the most Of his handsome for
tune; his wife, the boys mother was on
the brink of the grave, pining for her first
born, and would not be comforted. Then
they lived in western city, whittier they
had gone in hope Of finding or forgetting
their boy, or that change of scene,
might assuage their grief. He thanked
me for my letter, which he had sent to thu
father, and promised his assistance to Sc
sure the conviets pardon.
This news communicated to Arthur
he seemed panied and pleased; hope an
fear. joy and grief filled his heart alter
nately. but from then his eyes beanie
brighter. his step was lighter, and hop
seemed to dance in every nerve.
Days passed, and at last man came +
the prison, rushed frantically into the OF
fee. and demanded to see his boy
My boy my boy! oh, let me see him
The clerk who knew nothing of thu
matter, calmly asked him for the name Q
his son.
No such name on our books; your sol
cannot be here
He is here; show him to me. Here
Sir, is your own letter. Why do You mocl
meP'
The clerk looked over the letter, saw a
once that Arthgr Lamb was the convic
wanted, and rang the bell for the messen
ger.
There is the warden, sir. ii was hi
letter you showed
The old man embraced me and wep
like child. A thousand times he thanke.
me, and in the name of his wife heape,
blessings on my head. But the rattlin,
of the great door, and the grating SCUM,
of its hinges, indicated the approach o
Arthur. and ! conducted the excited paren
into parlor. left his son to his EN-
brace. Such half shrek and agonMin
groan as the old man gave when he be
held the altered countenance of his boy
as he stood clad in the degrading stripes
and holding convicts cap, in his hand,
never heard before. have seen man
similar scenes since, and have become in
ured to them. but this one seemed as if
would burst my brain. drew up an
signed petition for. the pardon of tn,
young convict, and such deep and ia
vorable impression did the letter | wrot
in answer to the advertisement have upol
the directors, that they readily joined il
the petition. Governor Wood was easil,
prevailed upon in such case, and pardon
was granted.
Need / describe the old mans Joy
How he laughed and wept. walked anl
ran, all impatient to see his son set free
When the lad came out in citizens dress
the aged parent was too full for utterance
He Rugged the released convict to his
bosom and kissed him-wept and prayed
Grasping my hand, he rendered me hi
farm, his gold ch,-anything would
take.
Panied at the thought of pecuniary re
ward, took the old mans arm in mine
and his boy 10y the hand, and escorted
them to the gate, literally bowling then
away.
never saw them more hut the young
man is doing well, and long may he liv.
TO reward the filal affection of his parents
This case may he but one among hun
lred, where the innocence of the convict i,
certain.-but even where the guilt is clear
there should be pity for youth, and some
proper means taken to win them to the
paths OF rectitude and honor.
Press nj Il & 7jllinohnef