Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-08-08
RECLAIMED.

[Cin .innati Commercial. !

An extraordinary scene took place
In the gloom Of the cell-room Of the
Ninth-street station-house, yesterday
morning. 1t was the meeting and re-
Cancellation, after years OF SEPARATION,
between respectable, we'll to-do
father and his miserable erring
daughter who had sunk to the lowest
depths Of shame. The meeting came
about In this manner: Early In the
morning a woman calling herself
Hattie Clark, one Of the most aban-
doned white women in that wretched
quarter known as Bucktown, was ar
rested for fighting, and taken to the
station-house with her face pounded
black and blue, and her eyes so
swollen from the effects OF her en-
counter that she could hardly see out
OF them. She was taken before
Judge Wilson, who sentenced her to
the workhouse for thirty days, and
fined her $50 and costs. The poor
creature had often had the same SEN
tence passed upon her, and carelessly
twisting her hair into something like
decent shape, skunk out of the sight
OF the police court grabbers. and into
cell in the station house below, to
await the coming Of the prison van,
to convey her to the work-house.
She flung herself down upon the
bench Of her cell and was preparing
to take nap, IL possible, when she
heard voice in the outer Office in
quire Of Sergeant Devine, who was
on duty: Have you a woman lock-
ed up here named Hattie CLARKE"
Yes" exclaimed the woman, with a
rude oath, and without waiting for
the sergeant to answer the interrog-
ato1y. Here am. What's wanted?"
The officer showed the inquirer into
the cell-room, and Hattie got up and
went to the cell-door to see who it
was that could be interested in her.
The person who had asked for her
was tall, well-built man, with the
appearance OF an opulent farmer who
had weathered some sixty or more
years OF his life's vicisistudes. As
soon as the prisoner caught glimpse
OF his features as he drew dear her
she gave vent to piteous cry, and
throwing her apron over her bruised
and discolored face, shrank into the
farthest corner of the cell. The old
gentleman was deeply affected by
the sight before him, but mastering
his emotion, said in gentle, pleading
voice, My God,my grill it thus 1 find
you; but come to your father. dear
The tender words, TO which she was
so unsued' and which she never ex-
pected to come from those lips. broke
her down completely, and with a
flood OF tears she sank at the feet of
her father and clasped her knees to
her bosom. The old man wept with
her. and the scene brought tears to
the eyes OF the sergeant. Hattie
gradually grew calmer, and the cell
door being open the father took his
daughter to his heart, rags, filth,
bruised face, and all. He ignored
completely her wretched plight and
the still more wretched manner OF
life 1t indicated, and only wanted
that she should go away with him at
once. That could not be just then,
however, there was a sentence hang
ing over her, and besides she said she
wanted to @straighten up, get the
whiskey out Of her, and get rid OF her
black eyes," before she went with
him, and she thought the work house
would be the best place lor her to 60
to accomplish those objects. She
said that In a couple Of weeks she
would be in condition to go with him
wherever he desired, and would do sc
with as graceful a heart as ever beat
In daughters bosom. There can be
no doubt OF the sincerity Of her pro-
testations. The old gentleman re-
gretfully acquiesced in the arrange
ment that she should 60 to the work
housekeeping that he hadn't al
to do with that part OF the programme
but said that he would come II
two weeks and take her away. They
then parted, and Hattie returned t.
her cell changed woman, let vi
hope for the remainder OF her life
There Is no doubt, IL she continues II
her present mood, and shows al
earnest purpose to reform, that the
u proper authorities will release hel
from the work-house at the expira-
ton OF the stipulated two weeks
But whatever her course may be. the
grandeur OF character and tenderness
of soul exhibited by that good OLE
man, in folding to his breast that for
, lorn. draggled outcast daughter, mus
ar peal strongly to the hearts OF these
who know how rarely such christian
traits are displayed In this hard wick
ed city.
il The old gentleman was a farme
: and stock dealer, living near Elem
, ingsburg, KY. He came to Cincinna
ii from Wood county, West Va, ii
{ 1861, and lived here until six year
ago. Hattie is about thirty-thre
years OF age. and was born in Virgin
! ia She was married young to
conductor on the Baltimore and Obi
2 railroad, named Gibbs, who deserte'
her after they had lived together bu
IL