The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-05-05
THE CONYICT'S CHILD.
TRUE AND DEEPLY AFFECTING STORY.

1t was early morning.
''Is this the way, sir. to Sing Sing?"
eyes," roughly replied a broad faced
countryman, and passed on.
It was afternoon. The child was some
what fragile in her appearance. Her bonnet
was of broken straw; her shoes were much
torn. and the sun played hotly on her fore
head. She walked on and On an hour long
er.
'Ts this the way to Sing-Sing, sir ?''
eyes, little girl, but what are you going
there for ?''
The child trudged on, her lips quivering,
but not deigningtO 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 sad as its
expression was.
The dew was falling. Kate had fallen, too,
almost. A rough stone by the way, imbed-
ded in moss, received her tired little frame.
She looked so worn and tired, sitting there,
her tangled lair 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 hold them back.
''Why, what is the dear little girl doing
here 2" The exclamation came from a pair
of young lips.
GA curiosity, 1 declare - exclaimed a
harsher voice, and Katie, looking up sudden
ly, covered away from the sight of the
young lady ard her agreeable looking CON-
panion.
"Whateyer are you doing here, little girl?"
asked Nell haywood, moving a little nearer
towards the frightened child.
''Going. Miss, to Sing-Sing," said Katie
"Why, George this child is going to Sing
Sing-ten miles off. Child did you know it
was so far off o.
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 sup
per pa
Katie shook her head
''Have you had any dinner ?"
Again the child shook her head.
"No dinner. Why, George, the poor thing
must be almost starved!"
II should think so,' mechanically replied
heI brother, just recovering from a yswn,
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 wen take
care of yOu tonight somehow, and see about
your going to Sing-Sing tomorrow"
Katie followed. What a glorious vision
burst upon her view The paIatial house
the rocks reddening in the low western sun
the shining river; the signs of luxury on ev-
cry hand.
Susan, give this child good supper she
IS hungry, and tired, too, imagine After
that l will see what can be done for her."
Susan wore mild face. She looked kind
ly down at the poor tired little one, and TAX
ing her hand, which trembled now. led her
into the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story OF that brief mart of If
which we know, was being told in the draw
ing room. The sylph-like figure in white.
lounging gracefully in the midst of delicate
cushions, accompanied her narration with
expressive gestures, and now and then lit
tie laugh.
81 should like to know what she is going
70 Sing-Sng for y she said, leaning laneuid-
ly back 1--WE must look her up something
70 wear-a bonnet, pair of shoes, and then
maybe we can manage to have her carried
some distance. Oh such an odd little
thing"
WHO is that, my little daughter ?"
''Oh, papa, you are come home Whv.
was talking about little mite of a child she
can't be more than ten, if that. I saw her
out here sitting on moss rock, the most for.
lorn object She says she is going 70 Sing
Sing"
i met her on my way" said the pleasant
faced old man, "she asked me about if and
would have stopped her, but she trudged
on Where is she? 1t was noon when sayy
her,
IN the kitchen, papa. Susan is taking
good care of her, think, and when she has
had hearty supper we will talk with her >,
a gay trio of young girls came in. The
hettings were put up, the gas was BURNING
brightly, and music and mirth ba1isbed ali
thoughts Of care. Suddenly Nell Maywood
remembered the odd little figure, and clan
ping her hands, cried, "Oh, I've something
to show you, girls 20 and disappeared.
Susan was picking gooseberries near the
pantry in the kitchen
'Where is the child, Susie ?'' asked Nell
haywood
"On 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 to the door.
why, she sat there some time after sun
per. turned and came in she was sitting
there, looking up, up at the stars, L expect.
thought she was mighty quiet child, but
she's deep deep Miss Nelly; she's gone.