Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-06-28
[From the Maine Farmer.l
THE CONVICT'S CHILD.

It was morning.
''Is this the way, sir, to Sing-Sirg 2
Yes, roughly replied a broad-faceo
countryman and passed on.
1t was afternoon. The child was
somewhat fragile in her appearance.
Her bonnet was of broken straw, hel
shoes were much torn; the sun played
hotly on her forehead. She walked on
an hour longer.
is this the way to Sing Sing, sir ?''
Yes, little girl, but what are you 60
ing there for ?"
The child trudged on, her lips CULVER
ing, but not delgning to answer the
pleasant-faced old man who had stopped
the logging of his horse to note her hur-
ried manner, and who had liked that
little face, anxious and sad as it's express
sion was.
The dew had fallen. Kate had fallen,
too, almost. A rough stone by the way,
Embedded In moss, received her tired lit
tie 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 do
ing here ?" The exclamation came from
a pair of young lips.
A curiosity, declared p exclaimed a
harsher voice, and Katie, looking up
suddenly, covered away from the sight
of the young lady and her agreeable
looking companion.
Whatever are you doing here, little
girl ?" asked Nell haywood, moving a
little nearer towards the frightened
child.
"Going, Miss, to Sing-Sing," said
"Why, George! this child is going to
Sing-Sing- miles off, Child, did you
know it was so far off %
Katie 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"
Katie shook her head.
SO Have you had any dinner ?"
Again the child shook her head.
No breakfast. Why George, the poor
thing must be almost starved I"
81 should think so, mechanically re-
piled her brother, just recovering from a
yawn, and showing signs of sympathy.
"Look here, what's your name
Well, girl, you must come up to the
house and get something to eat. Follow
me, and we'll take care of you tonight
somehow, and see about your going to
Sing Sing tomorrow.
Katie followed. What glorious Wis
ion burst upon her viewi The palatial
house; the rocks reddening in the low
western sun; the shining river; the signs
of luxury on every hand.
''Susan, give this child a good sup.
per; she is hungry, and tired too, I i'm
agine. After that I 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 trem-
bled now led her into the kitched.
Meanwhile her story, or that brie1
part of it which we know, was being
told in the drawing room. The sylph
like figure in white, lounging gracefully
in the midst Of delicate cushions, accom-
panied her narration with expressive
gestures, and now and then little
laugh.
81 should like to know what she is go
ing TO ong-Olng TOR! she SAID, leaning
languidly back. Sc We must look her uE
something to wear-a bonnet, pair o.
shoes, and then may be we can manage
TO have her carried some distance. Oh.
such an odd little thing"
Who is that, my daughter %
"Oh, papa, you are come home
Why I was talking about little mite O.
child; she can't be more than ten, i
that. | saw her out here sitting on
moss rock, the most forlorn object. She
says she is going to Sing-Sing."
81 met her on my way" said tht
pleasant-faced old man, " she asked m,
about it, and I would have stopped her
but she trudged on. Where is she? L
was noon when I saw her.
g In the kitchen, papa. Susan is tax