Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-04-14

putting up their defences, aud doing 1t first
rate, too"
l had only time for a glance at the inside
of the enclosure. We were already at the
principal entrance, which was wide door
opening into hall. with staircase lead
ing up to the second floor. On the right
hand was a stronglygrated iron door, open
ing into the main corridor between the
cells; the other side seemed 10 be devoted
to offices and quarters for the guards. 1
saw knots of men about, but only the two
at the entrance appeared 10 be armed, aud
they bad that lounging, easy air, that be-
longs TO security and the absence Of thought.
1t was in every respect opposite to my pre-
conceived idea of penitenliary, aud all
recollection OF its first design fed when 1
saw Ruth's CHEEKY face, bright and hand
some as ever, beaming on me from the first
landing, and felt her warm, firm arms
clasping me in an embrace of lifecIiOuate
welcome. II was my friends homo and
nothing else, from that moment, and very
pretty, daintily ordered home it was. She
had five rooms on the second floor, with a
kitchen below; this was her parlor in front,
a bright, well-furnished room, tastefully
ornamented with pictures, some of which
| recognized as her own paintings in our
school days. and here was her dining
room TO the lei( with a small guest cham
Der that she hoped l would occupy when I
returned. The other rooms on the west of
the parlor we're hers and Nellie's- Oh, 1
had not seen Nellie, her 1ve-year- old, nor
her dear husband, who was so much better
to-day, though he could not rise without
difficulty; and would therefore come and
see him?
As Ruth gave me thus passing glance
at her household arrangements, l saw
through the open door OF an apartment back
of the dining-room light shower Of plas-
.er fall to the ground, marking the oicloth
that covered the floor, and for one instant
sending out into the hall a puff of whitish
| dust.
"oh, that is one Of the effects Of our ter
ribly dry climate" said Ruth, following
my glance and noticing the dust "every
little while portions of our walls crumble
and fall in like that There is no doubt
sad litter in Mr.. Foster the clerks room,
| where that shower occurred; he has gone
10 the city for the day, however, and it can
he cleared before his return. Here is my
husband, Jenny"
In recess by the parlor window, on a
lounge, Mr.. Denham was trying TO disguise
the necessity for keeping his tortured limb
extended by an appearance Of smiling ease.
He was a handsome, frank faced man, with
firm, fearless eye and a gentle, kindly
and I "A
friends look OF sweet content when saw
him and her child Nellie, who was hang.
ing over her papa with the fond, protecting
air Of precocious nurse. sat down quick
ly beside them to prevent my hosts at
tempting to rise, and the hour that elapsed
before dinner flew by in interesting con-
versation.
81 am sorry had TO go FOR = little WHILE"
said Ruth, returning 10 announce that meal,
"but my good Wang-Ho is sick to day,
and had to help him little"
where is Lester, Ruth?" asked her
husband.
"Oh, be is kind and helpful as ever, but
he does not understand making dessert,
you know, Edward"
"Thars true; aud Miss Jane will excuse
you, l am sure, for she and have been
reviewing the principal features Of pioneer
life, and she processes herself Father in love
with il than otherwise"
at is all so fresh and enjoyable, despite
its discom forts and Inconvenience, !" said;
''and need quote a stronger argument in
its favor than yourself, my dear Ruth3
You seem perfectly happy, and really
cannot see why you should not be So"
She had her golden haired little girl in
one arm, and she laid the other hand ca
ressingly on her husbands shoulder.
There is none; 1 am happy" she said in
low, earnest tone; and then added laugh
inGly, Tor shall be as soon as Edward gets
well of sciatica and Wang-Ho RECEIVERS
from his chills."
Mr.. Denham begged us to go before him,
and his wife led the way TO the dining
room.
poor fellow" she whispered, she suf-
fers horribly when he moves, and 1 tried
to persuade him TO have his dinner sent in
to the parlor, but in honor of your presence
he will come and he doesn't want us to see
him writhe and groan under the effort"
Just as we entered the dining room a
young man came in by another door, car
rylng tray with dishes. had seen plen-
ty of Cinnamon, but this was not one, nor
could l reconcile his appearance with the
position of a servant. He was tall, we'll
made, and his face, though unnaturLly
pale, was decidedly good looking. lie
wore pair OF coarse gray pantaloons with
| n ramark ahln Al rim Ankrn h,,t hoI
on beautifully clean and fine white shirt
fastened at the throat with diamond but
ton. The weather was warm, and he was
without coat or vest, and had a sash OF red
knitted silk, such as Mexicans wear, round
his middle.
Ruth took the dishes from him and placed
them on the table. "Please tell Wang Ho
about the coffee, Lester" she said as he re-
tired.
as that man servant, RuthP" asked
in an astonished whisper.
mo" she replied in the same low tone !;
she is murderer condemned for liEe."
Mr.. Denham hobbled in and slid down
upon seat. appreciated his gallant at
tenlion, but ii was painful to see the effort
II cost besides, much as l had seen of pi-
oneer life, to be waited on at dinner by
young and handsome murderer condemned
10 prison for life was a sensation new aud
startling, and was full of curiosity as 10
the nature of his crimo and the peculiar
administration of the Western penal code
that made house-servants of convicts. See
ing my perturbation, Ruth evidently in
tended to relieve it by the explanatory re-
mark of "He Is a rusty Jenny duar,"