Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-10-10

with trumpeters and pipers. and players
on stl1nged instruments, to welcome the
pilgrims as they went up and followed one
another in at the beautiful gates of the
city. - PreSbyeriap Banncr.
"0ld jesse"
INCIDENT OF A JAILEE'S LIFE
While travelling through the West sever
nj years ago, l stopped at the historical
village of Springfield, for the purpose Of
transacting some business Of u mercantile
character. Two days after my arrival, l
received an urgent invitation to visit my
old friend, Colonel H, who was the su-
perrin endcnt Of the county Jail, which was
located at Springfield. On the evening of
the day | received the invitation, repair
5d to Jhe Coonel's residence, which, by
the way, adioined the prison, Being II
distant relative of the Colonel's, was ac-
corded most hearty welcome by himself
wife and daughter, the latter Il young lady
of seventeen summers While we were
enjoying Il pleasant tete.a-tete upon differ
ent topics, Jane, the servant, announced
that supper was ready. We entered the
dining-roon and sat down to one of those
good, od-fashioned meals, for which our
country cousins have the knack Of arrang-
ing. While engaged in eating the many
tempting viands with which the table was
/ literally filled, we were somewhat startled
TO hear scream proceeding from the Jail
department. An investigation showed
that the iailer. who was known by the
name of "Old jesse" had fallen insensi-
Bile on the stone floor Of the corridor.
Poor fellow" said the Colonel, "he
acts so very strange at times, that we hard
| ly know what to make Of him. He seems
to have some great trouble weighing on
| bis mind"
Alter assisting the Colonel to carry him
to his room and place him on bed, in
Quircd who "Old Jesse was. In answer
to my question, the Colonel said that he
had been the jailer for many years, and
had inherited that position from his father,
who had long since passed away. As the
old fellow lay unconscious on the bed, !
was enabled to get good look at him.
He had long, white hair, u deeply furrow-
ed forehead, n wan complexion, probably
the result Of close confinement and was of
slight figure, with II perceptble crook in
the back. This, us well us can remember,
was the appearance Of =" Old jesse who
had passed the greater portion of his life
within the gloomy prison walls, and who
had been brought face to face with some
of the most noted criminals of his time.
as We sat watching him he recovered,
and, raising himself up on one elbow, in
Il feeble voice said " Has he gomez Not
knowing to whom he referred, we We're
unable TO answer this mysterious question.
After staring around the room for some
minutes he remarked: 40 yes, rcmem-
Der; y5u don't know" Here a low, stied
moan escaped his lips.
Whats the matter? Who was it?" in
quired Miss Mabel, the daughter, in sym
pathetic tone.
Il was only thinking miss he replied,
at the same time getting out of bed and
taking seat in Il low rocking chair.
Tell us Of what YOU We're thinking,
pray?7
"Well, l don't mind, miss, but it's not
right TO speak Of the dead, and especially
ones own kin"
There was mist in the old mans eyes,
and II culver in his voice, as he said " It's
mighty hard; it's mighty hard" We felt
sure there was some great mystery con-
nected with his life, and we were anxious
to hear what had caused Kim so much
grief
He remained silent for while, and after
wiping the tears from his eyes, continued
Il have never told any one afore, and
don't know as | ought TO now, But, as you
ask me TO- suppose there is no harm.
Many, many years ago | had wife and Il
son-our only child. Frank was Il good
boy, and his pleasant ways and childish
pranks made our home Il world of sun
shine from morning until night. Our every
care was bestowed upon him, and he was
given II plain, useful education. Often
have my wife and | sat together when the
twilight was disappearing in the night
and built castles in the air on the future o
our boy. After he became Of age he took
but lille interest in his home apd remain.
ed most Of the time with Il party OF fast
companions who were in the habit of fire
quunlng saloons. We feared he wouC
become hardened by his bad indulgences
and, notwithstanding that we gave hin
such good advice rs only parents can give
he continued GA the broad path to ruin
One day he suddenly departed from homt
without even saying goodbye. Little die
we suspect that he had gone forever. Day!
became weeks, weeks became months anC
tines ilreting moments soon increased t
years-stll no word from our son was re
ceived Wife took it pretty hard, poo
soul, and became SO low-spirited that She
finally went to rest in that home wher,
every thing is comfortable. | WIS aWlUII1
despoudeni, and wished that |, too, couIC
die. Hardly Il year after wife died, father
who was then jailer, f)llowed her. b,
| the request of the prison authorities, sue
ceeded him us keeper. Five years after
took charge of the keys (Which was abou
= twenty years ago., notorious iorger wa
, ncarccrul ed in the prison, and | received
positive instructions loom the superinlend
ent to watch him closely, else he woult
escape. One day when ! took him some
thiug to eat, out of curiosity entered hi
cell, which was Il rare thing for me to do
didn't seem to dread to be in his pres
, ence for there was something in his way
which reminded me Of him who had lie
serted wife and long before. As hand
ed him the food which | had brought,
could not keep my eyes off his face, AN
1 he noticed my earnest look, but sad moth
+ ng. 1t was strange feeling that too
, possession of me, and, try ever so hard,
couldn't shake it off. just rs | was abou
to leave the cell, noticed familiar look
my locket lying on the floor, and don
, know why, but picked it up. | unclaspe
/ it, took one glance at the face, managed
reach the exterior of the cell, shove tn
9 bolt of the door, and then fell insensibl
On the stone floor Of the corridor. M
% assistant found me in this condition an
carried me TO the Office, where, by apply
/ ing some restoratves, he managed TO IT
yive me Tie locket | still had in IN
possession, and, us | nervOusly held it bt
Fl fore my eyes, could but too plainly sc
( the photograph Of my dear dead wifi
+ fle truth flashed across my mind-th
occupant of No. 20 was my son. II was
i terrible blow to my crushed SOUL and L
!, one but myself can tell the agony suffe
/, ed or the sleepless nights of misery el
lured. Fortunately he did not reeognii
!. me --lor, if he had, don't know VIII
4. woud have happened; perhaps | won
| nnv,4 hppn driven 10 lpsnpratiOn NJ