Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-09-23
A CONVICT's CHILD.

l
1t was morning.
is this the way, sir, to Sing
Sing ?"
eyes," roughly replied a broad
faced countryman and passed on.
1t was afternoon. The child was
somewhat fragile in appearance
Her bonnet was of. broken straw,
her shoes were much torn the sun
played hotly on her forehead. She
walked on and on an hour longer.
"Is this the way, sir, to Sing
Sing?"
"Yes, little girl, but what are you
going there for ?''
! The child trudged on, her lips
quivering, but not designing. to
answer the pleasant-faced old man
who had stopped the jogging of his
horse to note her hurried manner,
and who liked that little face,
anxious and so sad in its express
sion.
The dew had fallen. Kate had
fallen, too, almost. A rough stone
by the way embedded in moss, re-
ceived .her tired little frame. She
looked so worn and tired, sitting
there, her tangled hair falling on
her hands that were clasped over
her face. BY the shaking of her
frame the tears were coming, too,
and she was bravely trying to keep
| them back.
"Why, what is the dear little
girl doing here ?" The exclama-
ton came from pair of young
lips. !.
ed a harsher voice, and Kate, look
ing up suddenly, covering away
from the sight of the young lady
and her agreeable-looking cOmpan-
| ion.
"Whatever are you doing here,
little girl?n asked Nell haywood,
moving nearer to the frightened
child. .i, -s
"Going, Miss, to Sing-Sing," said
Kate.
"Why, George! this child is GO
ing to ng-Sing-ten miles off.
Child, did you know it was so far
OFF,"
Kate shook her head and wiped
away the hot and heavy tears, one
| by one.
"Why, you little goose, what are
you going to Sing Sing for ? Have
you had your supper ?"
Kate shook her head.
"Have you had any dinner ?"
Again the poor child shook her
head. -
"No breakfast. Why, George,
the poor little thing must be almost |
starved D.. -
81 should think So" mechanical |
ly replied her brother, just recover
ing from yawn, and showing signs |
of sympathy.
"LoOk here, what's your name?
Well girl, you must COME up 10 the |
house and. get something to eat.
Follow me and We'll take care of
you tonight, somehow, and Well |
see about your going to Sing-Sing
to-mOrrows
Kate followed. What a glorious
vision burst upon her view. The !
palatial house, the rocks redening
in the low western sun; the shining |
river; the sign of luxury on every |
hand. ~ .ft.st 4Is t.
"Susan, give this child a good |
supper; She is hungry and tired,
too, l imagine. After that | will |
see what can be done for her."
Susan wore mild face. She |
looked pleasantly down at the poor,
tired little one, and taking her
hand, which trembled, now, led her
into the kitchen.
Meanwhile herstory, or that brief |
part of which we-know, was being |
told in the drawing room. The |
sylph-Iike figure in white, lounging |
gracefully in the midst Of delicate |
cushions, accompanied her narra-
ton with expressive gestures, and
now and then a little laugh.
II should like to know what she |
is going to Sing-Sing fort" she said,
leaning languidly back. '.We must
look her up something to Wear-a |
bonnet, pair of shoes, and then
may ne we can manage to have her
carried some distance. Oh! such an
odd little thing"
"Who is that, my daughter !"
"Oh, papa, you have come nome. |
Why, was talking about a little
mite of child, she can't be more
than ten II that. | aaw her out
their sitting on a moss rock, the |
most forlorn object. She says she Is |
going to SiDg-Sing."
"I met her on my way" said the
pleasant faced ON man "she asked
Inc about it, and / would have stop
ped her, but she trudged on.
Where is she? 1t was noon when /
! saw her.
"In the kitchen, papa. Susan is
taking good care of her think, and
when she has had hearty supper
we will talk with herr
A gay trio of young girls came
in. The nittings were put up, the
gas was burning brightly, and music
and mirth banished all thoughts of
care. Suddenly Nell haywood
remembered the odd little figure,
and, clapping her hands, cried,
"Oh, Ive something to show you
girls ~ and disappeared.
Susan was picking gooseberries
| near the pantry in the kitchen.
"Where is the child, Susan?" ask
ed Nell haywood. A
Son the doorstep, Miss"
"Why, no, Susan, there's nobody
to be seen."
mo! Miss ?'' Susan placed her
pan down, held her apron up to
catch the stems of the berries, and
walked deliberately towards the
door.
"Why, she sat there sometime
after supper. l turned and came
in /; she was sitting there, looking
up, at the stars, expect. l thought
she was a mighty quiet child, but
she's deep, deep, Miss Nelly; she's
gone. Let me see, there amt any |
silver around-I should be afeared
she'd took something they are
mighty artful:"
"WRy didn't you tell her she
might stay all night ~ Nell May
wood was peeping here and there to !
spy her if possible.
ayes, Miss Nell, and told her
what a good bed there was over
the yoodshed; but she looked
strange out Of them large eyes of
| her's.n - ...s.... e-f,
1.-THE poor child is i'm trouble, /"
| said Nell, qiite sorrowful that she
could not farther relieve her neces-
-sitiea. ssPd, had given her some
thing to wear, and we could have
sent her to Sing Sing and perhaps
she will come back again-lf so will
YOU send her to me ?"
arr Sho docs, / will. MisSo an