The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-10
MOTHER AND INFANT IN
PRISON.
Experience of an Old Turnkey.
His Little Story.

Stroliing down by the Fifth Precinct Station
our reporter dropped in and met the old veteran
Mr. Edw. Bieganski, who now officiates at tina
precinct in the capacity Of telegraph operator
He politely rendered us chair, and, taking on
himself, he lit his pipe, and, through the cloud
Of smoke that curled into the air. any one of per
ceptIon could plainly see that the old man wa
buried deep in meditations Of the past Our re
porter endured this for while but his curiosit.
got the better of him, and clearing his throat
he said
snow, Mr. Bieganski, you seem to be think
ing. What are your thoughts? The reason The
question is asked is because your experience in
police circles must have been filled with Incl
dents Of deep interest"
The old man removed the pipe from his mouth,
and looking his interrogation in the face, replied
''Yes, young man, 1 was thinking OF the past and
the time since my arrival in America, for you know
am one of those suffering Polanders who, from
oppression, in 1880 and 81, compelled to
leave my country and seek refuge from the con-
querors of my dear land. Since that time, sir,
have seen some very ludicrous sights; and
again-oh, sir, such sad and heartrending scenes
that were enough to make turnkey shed tears,
for you know, what with being patrolman,
turnkey and telegraph operator, my connection
with the police in this city sums up round
twenty five years.
81 was telling you of sad sights; this CONVEX
satlon brings to my mind incident that will,
perhaps, cause in your heart, even at this late
day, pang OF sorrow Some years ago, when
was turn key, a very pretty woman came into
the station. She was intoxicated and half clad
and tell you, the night was bitter cold, one of
those sleety, miserable nights that chills one to
the very heart. Clinging on to the woman's
breast was baby OF, suppose zen months old,
thin, pale and almost stiff with cold. 1t was q
sad sight to look at, and though / was a turnkey,
became interested in the young woman's his
tory, and after she had registered der name as
Mary Wengle, ventuted to ask the poor crea-
ture something OF her life.
H. kind tone seemed immediat ely to touch
her heart, and her senses almost instantly
tlrned. She looked ut me in the face with a
look, sir, that i can never forget, and said
well, You seem to be kind and its been a long
time since ever L had good word spoken to me,
andas ] don't believe this frame can much long
or stand the trials and fortunes of wasted life,
l don't mind telling you the truth. | am not DID,
sir no, but care will pillow furrow, in the brow
that time can never make. / was raised pretty
well; went to school and receive very fair du-
cation. My parents were very good to me, and
loved them dearly. But time passed on, and then
the old messenger, DEATH came to our happy
" | was left all alone without any relatives in the
city, and my earthly possessions were very few.
Yes, was thrown upon the world, and l had to
work for lIving-hard, oh so hard. But this
was happiness, sir, compared with the hardships
of betrayal and heart trouble. of course, work
ing from place to place as sewing girl for was
handy with my needle) / came III contact with
not only my own sex, but very often men. One
day, sir, was driving away at my work, for |
had a ball dress to finish for lady by o'clock
in the evening, and we poor sowing girls get such
seedlings when we disappoint / had finished
my work at the appointed hour, and, putting my
hat and shawl on, started for home.
81 had not not gone two blocks before l was
accosted by a very polite gentleman, who said:
I" Excuse me, miss, but it is late in the evening
for young lady to walk by herself" and politely
offered to see me home. | thought it kind, for l
knew nothing of the wicked ways Of the world. |
Therefore | consented, and he went with me
home His converse ton was pleasant and kind,
and felt so lonely in the world that almost felt
happy at his good, kind words. Evening after
evening he WAS always at the spot to take me
home, and in this way / became to know him
quite well. After some months of our acquaint- |
ance, he one evening asked me il | would marry |
him. l was very much frightened, and begged |
him to give me little time to consider. |
'"Atfe few evenings after this he asked me If had |
concluded to give him an answer. Well, sir, to |
make long story short, told him L would be |
his wife, The day was fixed and the clergyman
(?) was on hand, and we were married Some |
months passed away and | very happy for
the time. saw that was about to be mother.
This endeared me to my husband doubly, and | |
was wrapped up i'll him.
But, sr, all joys have, bell We. a sad end
ing, and few weeks before my baby was born
my husband disappeared. Oh! | was miserable
knew not whore to find him. | advertised in
every aper, but still no news to cheer my break
ing heart,
and determined to see lawyer who had always
attended to my fathers business. went to nv
trunk, and taking my marriage papers out went
with them to the lawyer | told him my sorrow.
1.-The first words he asked me were 'have Won
your marriage certificate p" "Of course" said
!, and Immediately produced them l saw dark
shadow overspread the good mans face, and |
asked him, in the agony OF my fears, what was
good girl you have been duped these papers are
you have never been married. The |
man has played you fslse."
so could contain myself no longer, and with
piercing scream l fell upon the floor.
What happened then / know not but when
| recovered | was mother. Oh, sir, you don't
know what sorrow of the heart is-at least hope
you don't. But / do, sir-I do. | recovered
shortly afterwards, and being in poverty the peo-
Pile in the house would not believe my story and
turned me out with my poor little baby at my
breast. tried everywhere, but only received the
cruel scorn of an unbelieving world. Poverty
stricken, heart-brokeu, miserable, / knew not
where to turo. My sorrow always haunted me
ike an evil spirit.
"'At last to drown it took to drink, and you
zee to what q pass it has brought me. | thank
'ou for your kindness. Good night" I
Here the poor woman laid upon the cell
loor, and l left TO attend to other prisoners. {
During TIE night went to sec if the poor crea- t
ure needed anything. Hearing sound in the
ell, entered, an there stretched upon the flo r.
ay Mary Wengle, cold in the arms of death a
With the poor little baby still sucking its dead
Mother"
Mr.. Biegansk turned around then to hide a L
alhng tear, and in tremulous voice said: ''Mr r
sep"rter. don't you think that poor creature
Uttered" =
''Of course was the reply. We thanked the i
I'd gentleman and bid HIM good night, proms- a
az to call again and listen TO some more of his c
xperience. a
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