River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-09-14

morning for tempting to break jail; ne
don't deserve little girl like that one,
the william. Come child, I'll go and lind
your father"
He took Kate's shaking hani; with
the other she dashed the tears away as
fast as they iell. 1t frightened her al
most into calmness to see theIponderous
door at which the jailOr applied the
great key, and the stiffness of long pas
ssges; the dimness thrown over all; the
constant succession of bars and bleak,
black walls were terrible to the sensi-
tive mind like hers. How the heavy
tread of the TAILOR, and the tread of the
warden behind him, echoed through
the gloom and the spscel 1t was, in
truth, a great tomb through which they
moved-a tomb in which were confined
living hearts-whose throbs could al
most be be heard in the awful stiffness.
On, on they went, now through that
passway and then through the other.
Everything spoke of crime-of fierce
passions sub2ued and held in stern con-
trol-everything from the ferocious
watch dog to the sentinels armed.
Then they turned aud went up the
stairs, the jailor holding the scared bird
close to his side with tender clasp, the
warden following. Another tramp and
at last they came to a standstill, The
Tailor raped at cell door. Slowly the
figure of man, with harsh, hair-cov-
cred face appeared.
"Here's your little girl come to see
you," said the jailor.
s'Little girl hem you're green"
said the man, in glum accents. 1--WE
got no little girl or you wouldn't catch
me here"
Father" said the childish voice. 1t
sounded 50 sweet, so childish, IN that
terrible prison. But as the scowling
face came close to the bars. the child
hid her head quickly in the iailer's
arm, halfsobbing, it wasn't he.
"We'll try the next one."
He walked farther on, and spoke
more pleasantly this time:
"Well, Bondy, here is little Kate /;
don't you want to see herr"
Little Katie -" there was q long
pause. 81 had Kate once-not a
little Katie; 1 broke her heart God
pity me Go on, it can't be for me-"
Again the sweet voice rang out:
Gather"
The prisoner came close up to the
bars a youthful face, framed with
light heavy hair-a face in which the
blue eyes looked innocent-a face
which it seemed sin to couple with
foul deed, gazed out. 1t was child's
earnest, pleading, fearful eyes dark
expression rolled like wave across
his brow a groan came up from his
bosom, and with low moan he stag
gered against his bed, crying
Take her away | can't stand the
sight of anything pure like that"
Kate had hidden her face a second
time as she feebly cried, at isn't him; !"
so they kept on TO third cell.
'Jim, here's little girl Kate, your
daughter wants to see you."
A stupid "what" came from the bed;
the man had probably just awakened.
"Yuur little daughter.
There was sound Of rafting irons
tha5 made the girl shiver. Dimly APP
pearod the face and outlines of q we'll
made mantle countenance handsome
but evil. He seemed not to comprehend.
But as fast as the chains would permit
him, ne came forward anil looked out
at the anxious face below.
With loud convulsive cry she ex-
claimed: "Fatherl fatherl" and fell
nearly senseless against the jailor.
'KatieP" exclaimed the man, and
there was nervous twitching about the
muscles of the mouth: What has
brought her here"
The jailor was calling the child to con-
seriousness.
''Shall we let her come into the cell?"
asked the warden.
jim was dashing his hand across his
face. A smothered eyes" issued from
his lips. They opened the ponderous
door and put the child Within. Her
arms were outs.retched, his were wide
open, and they came together with a
clanking sound together about the
form of that poor little child.
''Oh, father!"
"Oh. Katie, Katie?" and then there
was quiet crying. By-and-by the man
lifted the little head, whose glossy curls
were falling on his shoulders-and OH!
what a sharp rattle of chains smote on
tae ear-and looked in her face. After
a moments irresolution he kissed her,
and his eyes fell under her earnest low
ing look.
Katie, what make you Gomez
WANTED to see you, father" and the
head was on his shoulder again.
Chow did you come, Katie?"
II walked here"
From New York, child?"
eyes, father"
There was no sound, save that of the
chains, as he strained her closer to his
bosom.
"And how did you leave-her, Katie,
your mother?'
The question was fearfully asked,
but not responded TO. He gazed eager
ly in the child's face; her little lip was
quivering.
Katie, tell me quick!'
"She died, father"
A groan-a terrihle-groan-follow-
ed; the mans head fell in the lap Of
his child and he wept with strong cries.
The TAILOR and the warden said they
never saw a sight so woeful. And the
child tried to comfort him, till his
strength seemed to be gone and his
sobs were like gasps.
"Oh, Katie, when did she die? On,
my poor Mayl my poor grill"
Ever SO long ago, | think; ever so
many weeks" replied the child; "but
she told me to come and see you, and
comfort you"
ooh, this is hard; very hard; she al
ways forgave me-"
'iShe told me to pray for you toe;
she told me 10 ask sou would you be
real good after you came out, and meet
her in Heaven"
"In Heayen | in Heaven groaned
the man, giving way in his agony.
The child was angel-guided. Her soft
touch was better to his souls good
than the stripes and chains. He had
been hardened; her little love melted
down the adament; had found the good
locked up in his nature, and she had
st mt her sweet smiles through his pris-
on door. Long he sat there, his head
in the lap of his beautiful, quiet child.
None dared disturb him; jailor and
warden walked to and fro.
Father, when you come cut, III
take care of you"
He lifted his head, his eyes, red with
weeping, we're fastened on her face.
Mother said | might"
Goods blessing on you, my precious
child; you may save your miserable
fatherl"
II will, father"
Tho warden cleared his throat. the