American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-12-20
VOL. XXIII.

| uoCulnent tnat nOluS me pTlSOner-lS tHls
sufficient? If not, please tell me what
else is required of me?'
Her manner had required such quiet
dignity that my intercourse could not GO
beyond business questions; although my
interest and curiosity would like to have
known more about her family and self
and particularly the crime that brought
her under my supervision.
| She still retained her caimness when
locked in her cell. Without exhibiting
any particular emotion she entered the
little, dark room 1 directed her to the
bed, gave her a few particulars in regard
to the rules of the place and left her alone
This was the beginning of distressing
drama
| The following morning / went to the
examining bureau to find particulars in
regard to Adeline Won r., but could dis
| cover little The ease had been heard at
some place quite distant, where the priso-
| ner was formerly resident, and in the
| requisition it was particularly remarked
that she desired to 'serve her time''
under me, but the act that called for seven
days Imprisonment was not stated
whether by design or mistake we were to
| be left in Ignorance, l could not say.
| There is nothing more passing than
| time. Adeline Won r., had done penance
| six days. Only l had seen her during
this time; even the director, being indis-
posed, had not made his customary revis-
ion. did what was in my power to make
her punishment light, and she showed
her appreciation by giving me no cause to
complain.
stances. Every attempt to question her
was delicately turned, and was given to
understand that my right did not extend
into her private affairs
The morning of the seventh day she
greeted me with a hearty cheerfulness,
telling me how she would count the hours,
and l discovered that some one was look
ing for her release as anxiOusly as she
herself desired it, but could not tell was
it father, mother, brother, or sister, or
friend. Another time and place enlight-
ened me.
Some hours later I received an order
for the appearance of A. Won R. before
the examining judge. The person that
brought it limited at something peculiar
in regard to the prisoner, as the judge and
the city officials with him, were enjoying
some joke in connection with her arrest
did not send her the order, but went
myself, to acquaint her that she must
again appear before the court. Joyfully
she met me.
'Oh, Mr.. Inspector" she cried, sonly
six hours and a half and then 1 shall be
free. 1 can again inhale the air of free
dom. Sweet thought! FreedomI how
shall love thee now; but what is it, you
look so stern, so dark, as if"
You are to appear before the Judge !;
follow me-"
l do not know this man; what can he
want of me?"
II cannot inform you; he will no doubt
enlighten you. Hasten, they are waiting"
zone moment, will be ready"
She appeared innocent, certainly she
was astonished, but more impatient than
frightened. But her lovely eyes no longer
laughed; she searched for something,
and they espied a cloth hanging on the
back of a chair. With charming move
ment she threw it over her head and
placed herself a. my side.
"Mr. Inspector, my toilet is finished.
The judge has probably some news to
communicate, for, of course, can abide
here no longer"
She again laughed in childish glee All
the way her spirits were joyous, she was
unconscious of wrong, and, hoped, free
from future punishment. With the judge
were other officials belonging to the city,
and stranger unknown to me, large,
stout man, evidently detective in civil
ian's dress. Feeling that he would figure
him.
AS we entered 1 noticed him cast a
quick, sharp glance at my prisoner, and
his features relaxed into meaning smile.
l read in it that my prisoner was guilty
person and he detective. AT the time
that did not annoy me as much the
mans smile. How could he laugh.
The profession is not trifling one. To
hunt up guilty parties requires character
hot Of thx dnfio
takes, and to characterize it with frivo-
lous carelessness seemed out of place
then. The mind must have body with
out heart in it, and been entirely without
feeling.
"Well 81 asked the judge.
at is as 1 said," replied the man.
"Mr. Inspector" said the judge, turn
ing to me, you gave notice that Adeline
Won II. was under arrest with you seven
days"
ayes"
at is false.'
Judge! Sir!"
81 repeat it, it is false! Are you per
sonally acquainted with Adeiine Won R.. ?"
mop
"Ihts person has lied to you. She has
assumed a name she has no right to.
What IS your name ?" he asked the pris-
oner.
l had quite overlooked her since we
enteredahe ROOM Now turned toward
her; she was standing near the door, pale
as death, trembling, dumb, as if she had
not heard the Judge.
He stepped toward her. II asked
you to give your name, will you an
swer?" he questioned in loud and angry
voice.
The prisoner seemed frightened, so that
her limbs refused to bear her, and had l
not quickly grasped her, she would have
fallen to the floor. l placed a chair for
her and remained standing at her side
Spite of all our endeavors we could not
get the girl to speak. She sat silent and
utterly speechless, gazing on the floor;
but as the judge in conversation with
others declared, "This person remains
prisoner! She cannot go free'' she
sprang from the chair 'ere the last word
was uttered, let her eyes rove from one to
another until they rested on him, and,
looking him firmly in the eyes, she said
have suffered my seven days i'm
prisonment; tonight at half past seven it
is at an end. YOU dare not detain me
longer. You have not the right"
" That is not for you to decide"
But, think, sir, ] am not guilty of any,
thing; not only l, but two others will lie
so miserable if you do not let me 90"
The poor child was the picture of suf-
fering and fright.
Now" said the judge, mildly, an
swer me. Are you the Adeline Won X.
that was condemned by military court
at 81"
"No, | am not the condemned But
what of that?' she asked.
Much, very much. You are guilty of
an act punishable by ten years imprison-