River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-09-14
THE COXVICTS' CHILD.
A True story
II was morning.

face, anxious and sad as its expression
was.
The dew had fallen. Kate had fallen.
too, almost. A rough stone by the way,
imbedded 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 nere?' The exclamation came from
pair of young lips.
"a curiosity, declared exclaimed a
harsher voice, and Kate, looking up
suddenly, covered away from the sight
of the young lady and her agreeable
looking companion.
what are you doing here, little girl?
asked Nell haywood, moving a little
nearer toward the frightened child.
"Going, Miss, to Sing Sing" said
Kate.
ssWhy, Georgel this child is gong to
Sing 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 child shook her head.
"No breakfast. Why, George, the
poor thing must be almort starved"
81 should think So" mechanically re-
piled her brother, just recovering from
yawn, and showing signs ofsympathy.
'Iook here, what's your name! Well,
girl, you must come up to the house
and get something to eat. Follow me
we'll lake care of you tonight somehow,
and see about your going to Sing sing
tomorrow"
Kate followed. What a glorious WIS.,
ion burst upon her view! That paltial
house; the rocks reddening in the low
western sun; the shining river; the sign
of luxury on every hand.
"Susan, give this child good supper;
she is hungry and tired too, 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 trem-
bled now, led her into the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story, or that brief
part of it which we know, was being
told in the drawingroOm. The sylph-like
figure in white, lounging gracefully in
the midst of delicate cushions, accom-
panied her narration with expressive
gestures, ard now and then little
laugh.
81 should like to know what she is
going to Sing Sing for!" sho said, lean
ing languidly back. eve must look
her up something to wear-a bonnet, 81
pair of shoes, and then maybe we can
manage to have her carried some dis
lance. Oh! such an odd little thing!'
"Who is that, my daughter
"Oh, papa, you have come homel
Why, | was talking about little mite
of child; she can't De more than ten,
if that; | saw her out here sitting on a
moss rock, the most forlOrn object.
She says she is going to Sing Sing"
81 met her on my way" said the
pleasant faced old man; 'she asked
me about it, and would have stopped
her. but she trudged on. Where is
she? 1t was noon when saw her."
A gay trio of young girls came in.
The MEETINGS were put up, the gas was
burning brightly and music and mirth
banished all thoughts of care. Sud-
denly Nell haywood remembered the
odd little figure, and clapping her
hands, cried, "Oh, I've something to
show you, girlsl' and disappeared.
Susan was picking gooseberries near
the pantry in the kitchen.
"Whefe is the child, Susie?' asked
Nell haywood.
"On the doorstep, Miss"
"Why, no, Susan, there's nobody to
be seen"
'tNo! Miss" Susan placed her pan
down, held her apron up to catch the
stems of the berries and walked DELHI
erately to the door.
"Why, she sat there sometime after
supper. | turned and came in; she
was sitting there, looking up, up at the
stars, / expect. | 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 he afeared she'd took some
thing; they're mighty artful.
''Why, didn't you tell her she might
STAY all mighty Nell haywood was
peeping here and there to spy her il
possible.
Eyes, Miss Nell, and told her what a
good bed there was over the woodshed;
but she looked strange out of them
large eyes of hers.
sThe poor child is in trouble" said
Nell, quite sorrowful that she could
not further relieve her necessities.
'I'd have given her something to wear,
and We could have sent her to Sing
Sing: and perhaps she will come back
again--if so. will you send her to me?'
"If she do, | will, Miss" answered
Susan, going at the gooseberries again.
But little Kate did not come back.
She had been Watching her oppor-
tunity to get off, and had already been
gone some time. She slept IN an
open field; erawled in some hay; she
would have walked all night if she
had dared. but she was afraid of the
darkness.
mir. Warden, there's a queer case
over ut my house, said a bluff lookind
fellow, meeting the warden Of Sing
Sing prison. Owe found her last night
in some out-oG-the-way place, apg
nothing would do but my wife must
take her in. We can't fud out her
name, except that it is Kate, and l
expect she wants to see somebody in
prison. But we can't get anthing out
of her-where she's come from or any
thing about it,
Bring her over here" said the war
den. "My wife is wanting little girl
for help; maybe she's just the one"
So Kate stood, trembling more than
ever. in few moments, in the pres
ence of the warden and iailer. Kate
was a pretty child Her large blue
ewes wore an expression of intense
melancholy; her hair had been nicely
combed and curled, and some one had
put a good pair of shoes on her feet.
"Well, my little sin" said the war
den. kindly-for ne was preposses'ed
in her favor-"where have you come
fromY'
"New York." said the child, family
The men look ed at each other IN
credulously.
ssDo YOU mean to say tina, you have
come to Sing Sing from New York or
foot?"