Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-08
breaking A Chain.

''You will have to open the shop this
morning, Lucia, and take care of it the
best you can," called my father from the
next room. ''for my head is aching so that
| shall be unable to leave my bed to-day"
| was quite little girl then, not more
than eleven years old, but as father and
were alone and there was no cne else to per-
form the task, arose cheerfully, shivered
into my clothes-fOr it was bitter cold and
quite early-and hastened down stairs.
Broom in hand for the purpose of sweep
ing off the side sidewalk first, l proceeded
to throw open the front door, but only, to
draw back, with faint cry OF terror and
surprise
CrouchIng behind the friendly shadow
of large packing-box, standing at one
side of the doorway, was lad, apparently
about twelve or fourteen, pooi, ragged
creature, with hollow checks and haunted
look in his dark-blue eyes that lived in my
memory for many a dav afterward.
''Please, please, don't cry out, or call lany
one," he entreated in low, pleading voice.
They'll surely take me again, and don't
want to go back"
Don't wsntto go back whereln Iasked,
growing courageous and taking step
nearer him.
For answer he pointed TO a heavy ba II
and chain attached to one of his ankles.
In those dsys-for the time of which |
write was long ago-it was customary to
attach weight of some kind to the legs of
convicts in order to prevent them from
going very far in case they should attempt
to escape; so | at once understood that he
had broken away from the town Jail.
81 was arrested for stealing meat-pie
and they treated me so bad at the Jail. :"
he said with dry sob that went straight
to my heart, ''that-that-"
You ran away, poor boy! Come in, and
I'll hide you safely awav."
| Together, and with much difficulty in pre-
venting the chain from Tattling which
would betray his presence to my father,
we succeeded in creeping down to the back
cellar. There | left him, well satisfied
with my mornings work.
A little while after, carried him bowl
of steaming coffee. and slice of bread,
which he swallowed TO my great satlsfac-
tion, with decided relish.
81 say, Sis, he whispered, as l turned
to leave, ''If had had a good strong file,
l could get this ere chain of, and then I'd
be all right"
81 will bring you not only file, but a
good suit of clothes that belonged TO my
brother that's dead, and an old red wig from
the garret, t. disguise you with, l an
swered ION one condition only"
"What Is itl" he asked, eying me curious
ly.
''Only this, that you give me your
solemn promise never 10 steal again, no
matter how poor or hungry you may be,
and to try and become good and respect
able boy"
A fash of brightness, visible even in the
dim light that struggled through the narrow
cellar ar-window, passed over his wan fea-
lures, and kneelIng down before me, he
caught one of my hands, and bending owe.
il, slowly breathed the required pledge.
For three days, during which time,
fortunately for my project, my father kept
his room, the poor fugitive remained in his
dingy retreat. Then when night came on,
and well knew the one constable our towr
boasted was snoring comfortably between
bis blankets, / softly opened the back door
and let John Ray as he called himself, Out
int the darkness.