Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-03-02
The Orphans.

At Williamsport, Pa, on the night before
the execution of Mira Miller, she was Wis
tied by her two children. Sheriff Wilson,
who throughout the tryins ordeal displayed
the most generous qualities of heart and
soul, resolved that this unfortunate mother
should have q visit from her little ones be
fore leaving the world in which her sor-
rows have been so heavy. At his own ex
pense he arranged with Constable Steven
son, of Jersey Shore, to bring them to the
city. MIR. Stevenson was the right man
for the work, and without delay he
bitched horse to a sleigh at Jersey Shore
and drove out into the country about three
miles, where these children were. One
was with family by the name of Cable,
and the other with Mr.. Aaron Willis. 1t
was soon ascertained that the children were
anxious to see their mother, and Steven
son did not have to wait long at either
place for his precious passengers. Having
been comfortably fixed in the sleigh-Jen-
ME, aged eight years, and Eliza between
five and six years old-he started for Will
Transport The first words spoken, after
the horses head was directed towards Will
Transport, the fatal home of their mother,
were from Eliza, the youngest who en-
Enthusiastically exclaimed:
''Oh, MIR. Stevenson, was Just saying
before you came that would like so much
to see my dear mamma. have two ap-
pies with me to give to my mamma"
Then Jennie, the Oldest of the two, ap-
paIently with full knowledge of the true
position of her mother, remarked:
Il don't see what mamma meant by go
ing out with such a man as George Smith"
81 suppose won't have any mamma af-
ter tomorrow, Mr.. Stevenson" inquired
the poor little Eliza.
perhaps not, Eliza" was the response.
81 don't know where I'll go to, Mr. Ste
venson. guess I'll go over into the val
ley, MIR. Stevenson. wonder if mamma
has had any apples 3"
''Oh my poor mamma is to be hanged"
exclaimed Jennie.
You must no. talk about that now,"
said Constable Stevenson.
Then the unfortunate little ones COM
menced to talk to each other, and stimuli
taneously they commenced to inquire if
they would be allowed TO stay all night
with their mother.
Arriving at the Jail, Constable Steven
son lifted the little girls out of the sleigh,
and with one at each hand went up the
steps and entered. He conducted them
into the Sheriff's cozy parlor, and soon they
were made TO feel as comfortable as they
could possibly desire. They soon felt that
they were close to their mother, and their
eyes became suffused with the brightness
OF cheerfulness.
AT this time several of Williamsport's
Christian ladies were in the cell with the
mother, fitting on her the dress which ac-
conpanIed her into the last sleep. Rev. L.
+. keeser, of St. Paul's Lutheran Church,
William street, was in the Jail when Mrs.
Miller's children arrived, and wisely deem
Ins that the administering Of the last sac
rament TO the unhappy mother should be
made before her last and terrible farewell
to her children should take place, he
Immediately made arrangements for his
Christian and humane task. The sacra-
ment was administered and at about slx
O'Clock the Children were taken up to cell
in the second tier Of the Jail, to partake
with their mother of her supper. With al
most the rapidity of lightning the doomed
mother seized one child and then the other,
embracing them with such enthusiastic de-
light as to almost crush the life out of them.
The youngest, Eliza, seemed to be her spec
ial object of affection. THIS child was the
first 10 respond to her mothers welcome,
and it was with the natural simplicity of a
Guild. Said Eliza, with all the enthusiasm
of one of her years:
'Mammal mamma! have something
for you !" at the same time bringing to
view those two apples.
The mother plead hard with the Sheriff
for her children to remain with her during
the night. This request the Sheriff gently
informed her could not be granted. He
told her, though, that he would leave them
with her until time she would deem it
necessary for them to be in their beds.
The children left the cell at half-past
eight o'clock and the parting from their
mother was terrible scene. Both of the
orphans threw their arms around their
mothers neck and clung to her, utterlng
cries of the most intense agony. After the
final separation, they were taken to board
ing house close to the jail.