Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-13

'E'Z,c Pretty Eickpockct who Night
Ezave Been "a Eastfoyf;s,se Cscsgr.

'Eae Pretty E'ickPockct who Night
Ezave Bcen "a Eashiopabze Esc,se.
Ten years ago this month refined
and pretty young girl was sent to
BlachwelI's Island Tor picking tho
pocket OF a lady on Broadway. Day
before yesterday the same girl, row a
lovely woman OF twenty-fortr was con-
victed of the theft and sentenced to
four years hard labor in the State
prison. The story of this unfortunate
woman is q most Interesting one. Born
IL Lexington avenue Of wealthy and
respectable parents, SHE nevertheless
inherited that unfortunate tempera-
nlent known as the hysterical or emo
tional. When the young girl was con-
yicted the first time the mother plead
ed hard for the misguided daughter,
but it was hoped that thu discipline OF
two years would be OF advantage to
her, and SO the sentence was carried
into execution. Thoughtless and gay
as child she donncd the convicts
dress. She utterly refused to work,
and considerable liberty was given
her. Everybody liked her, for she
was pretty and winning-more Ike a
spci ed child than dangerous woman.
10 the son of the warden, a tall youth
OF Gig teen, she seemed veritab!e an
gel, with her soft hands, deep blue
! eyes, and her volatile ways. It took
him about three months TO arrive at
the conclusion that she was the most
admirable being that this earth con-
tanned, and SIX months more to decide
that it was wrong for such refined
little lady to be kept i'll such place.
He was serving an apprenticeship as
gas-ftter in New York. He began to
neglect his work on plea Of illness, and
to stay upon the island instead of going
over to the city. 1t was astonishing
what an interest he took in all that re-
lated to the affairs Of the prison.
Never was SO grand chance offered
blow to captivate his lady. If Pauline
Deschappelles had been a convict in
stead OF merchant princess, Claude
AIelnotte would not have had to resort
to the snbterfuge OF personifying
marry me- 2" said the Claude of Black
wells Island; and his Pauline respond
ed: eyes, you or anybody else; only be
quick about it." In broken words.
caught through gratings or behind
II oiA NacoiS, ChV
it. She should get away and leave the
island alone, remain i'll New York
three weeks and then he would Join
her
A proper opportunity vas long IN
presenting itself, but it came a last
The warden had lett i:77r time his son
on guard alone. vD sister of the
young man was in her room ebove; she
was called down on some pretext and
sent to neighboring brildine. Quick
IS a flash the pretty Jail bird dashed
up stairs. tore off the convict garb,
and dOnned the SISTERS best suit She
did not forget the veil and parasol
. with which to shield her features, and
she had the wit to sober down her
usual airy gait to the more staid mo-
ton OF the one into whose shoes she
had stepped. Our Claude was waiting.
Here. want YOU to row my sister
over to New I ork, - he said to the men.
md they did so.
It is not known low lie fixed matters
with the family, but certain It is that
tGree weeks later he promised to cher
Isl and protect for life that liberated
iail-bird and she to love him, 10 honor
and to obey.
: couple aged respectively fourteen
ais. eighteen were rather young to be-
;5.h housekeeping. SO they lived in
hotel. lis love for herwas a real pas
sion; she was lis angel 10 matter what
she did, and he.worked hard all day and
, every day to support her. As for her,
she certainly respected her husband,
she was grateful to him, she had kept
her promise, but the stained, dark
hands of the gas-fitter were always q
horror TO her; it was towards the light
fingered gentry that she gravitated
gracefully aud naturally.
Having the whole DAY to herself, IN
the midst of the great metropolis, the
hereditary dormant passion was surely
and speedily reused to life -Thieving
is a disease. With this poor girl it as
sInel the chronic state. Before she
Lad been Il wife two years she was ar
rested for grand larceny, tried and
convicted, and sentenced. TO Sing Sing
for three years. Wien She came out
she thought herself cured the hus-
band, Ike Douglas, ever tender and
true, took her home again. Unfortu-
nately for her she never loved him,
and she WAS incapable of keeping her
promise to be honest.
At last she did fall in love. Size
tried to pick the pocket Of q rich South
erner, and he caughther IN the act and
cliyalrously forgave her. Again a
yearning for something nobler end bet
ter took possession Of her. and again
she promised never TO yield to tempta-
ton ; bat the new love awakened IN
il her heart made her ashamed of her
hushand Soon she was again on trial
ior larceny, and the father OF Ler hus:- !
band came forward ana did not spare
his evidence IL full. She received an
other term II Sing Sing. In time the t
warden's son was divorced and mar |
ried again.
Adelaide came from prison the third |
time to stand beside the death-bed OF |
her mother. IF you are again tempt I
ed to yield TO the fatal passion, my !
child, think how much your mother /
loved you" said the dying woman;
and again the daughter took the pledge /
OF abstinence. She went to live with a |
sister in Brooklyn. At the age of .
than she had been at fourteen.
81 an going up to my home" she
aa'd yesterday, Sing Sing-I call it
my home, I have been there SO much.
/ believe l like it better tn III this New
York. I suppose it's because [ am so
and the eyes fiji with tears.
Her last pledge is broken the panic
came with its great excitement for all, .
and an excitement especially calcnla- /
ted to aggravate Hla'ady like hers :
She, for four more years must occ,lry
Il prison ce!l-N. J. Cfj-a;5Hir
8he North Carolina Press Asaec.a-