Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-02-05
A CONVICT'S STORY.
TOLD BY HIMSELF.

TOLD BY HIMSELF.
A letter, written by man who was
recently q convict in State prison, to q
converted companion who is still at the
prison, was read at a meeting held in
the Presbyterian church in Poughkeep-
sic, and produced profound impress
sion. The copy is exactly like the origi-
nal except names. 1t tells its own story
90 frankly and sincerely that none can
fail to be touched by it, and it furnishes
q grand incentive to perseverance on the
part of those who labor for the worst
classes:
Friend Tom, if may still call you so,
i know you are surprized to get letter
from me, but hope you wont be mad at
my writing to you. I want to tell you
my thanks for the way you talked to me
when was in prison, it has led me to be
a better man. guess you thought did
not cair for what you said, h and at the
first go off didn't, but noed you was
q man who had don big work with good
men, & want no Sucker, nor want gas
ing, & all the boys knod it.
I used to think at mite what you said,
L for it nocked off swearing months
before my time was up, for saw it want
no good nohow-the day my time was
up you told me if would shake the
cross (quit stealing) & live on the square
for three months it would be the best
Job ever done in my life. The state
agent gave me ticket to here, 4 on the
car thought more of what you last said
to me, but didn't make up my mind.
When we got to Y on the cars from
there to here pulled off an old womans
leather (robbed her of her pocketbook)
i hadn't no more than got it off when
wished hadn't done it; for while be-
fore i made up my micd to be square
bloke for 8 months on your word, but
forgot it when saw the leather was a
gif (easy to get), but kept close to her
& when she got of the cars at way
place, i said, nam, have you lost any
thing; and she tumbled her leather was
off (found her purse was gomez, is this
it, says i, giving it to her. Well, says
she, if you aren't honest, but hadent
got cheek enough to stand that sort of
talk, so left her in hurry.
When got here had 81 and 25 cents
left, & didn't get no work for 3 days as
aint strong enough for a roust-about
(deck HANDY on steambote. The after
noon of the Sd day spent my last 10
cents for two moons (large round sea
biscuit) and cheese & was thinking
would have to go on the dip again (pick-
ing pockets), when thought of what you
once said, about fellors calling on the
Lord when he was in hard luck, &
thought would try it once anyhow, but
when tryed it, got stuck on the start,
and all could get off was, Lord give a
poor fellow q chance to square it for 3
for Christs Sake, Amen, &
kept thinking of it over and over as
went along. About an hour after that
was in 4th st., & this is what happened,
and is the cause of my being where i am
now, & about which twill tell you before
| get done writing. As i was walking
along herd a big noise & saw horse
running away with carriage with 2
children in it, grabbed up peace of
box cover from the sidewalk and ran in
The middle of the street, and when the
horse came up smashed him over the
head as hard as could drive, the bord J
split to peaces 4 the horse checked up
title L grabbed the reins and pulled
his head down until he stopped. The
gentleman what owned him came rum
ming up and as soon as he saw the chill
lren were all rite, he shook hands with
ne and gave me a $50 greenback, and
ny asking the Lord to help me came
INTO my head and was thunderstruck
couldn't drop the reins nor say nothing,
he saw something was up, & coming |
back to me said, my boy are you hurt9
Z the thought come into my head just
hen to ask him for work, and asked
aim to take back the bill l. give me |
Job, says he jump in here and lets talk
sbout it, but keep the none. He asked
ne if could take care of horses &
,aid yes, for used to hang round livery
stables, and often would help clean and
lrive horses, he told me he wanted a
man for that work and would give me
Big month Il bord me. You bet took |
that chance at once, that mite in my lit
lie room over the stable sat long time
over my life 4 of what had
ust happened, and just got down on my
ices and thanked the Lord for the job,
Z to help me to square it, and to bless
7ou for putting me up to it, Il the next |
done it again & got me some
lew togs (clothes) & a bible, for made
Up my mind, after what the Lord had
lone for me would read little every
lite and morning, & ask him to keep an
,ye on me.
When had been there about week,
Mr.. q. Chats his name) came in my
'oom one mite, and saw me reading the
Bible. He asked me if was Christian,
md told him no-he asked me how it |
vas read the Bible instead of papers
md books. Well, Tom thought had |
better give him a square deal on the
tart, SO told him all about my being
n prison & about you, & how had al
most done give up looking for work, &
how the Lord got me the job, when
asked him, & the only way hal to pay |
him back was to read the Bible & square
t, h asked him to give me chance
lor three months. He talked to me like |
| father for long time 4 told me could
,tay, and then felt better than ever / |
1ad done in my life, for I had given
Mr.. "a fair start with me & now
lident fear no one giving me black cap |
exposing his past hfe) Il running me
IF the job.
The next morning he called me into
he library & gave me another square
ak & advised me to study some every
lay 4 he would help me one or two hours
,very mite, & he gave me an arithmetic, a
spelling book, q geography, and a writ
ng book, 4 he hers me every mite. He
cts me come into the house to prarers
Every morning 4 got me put in q Bible
lass in the Sunday School, which like
very much, for it helps me to understand