Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-07-14
FOUND BY HIS WIFE.
Pathetic Interview Between Prisoner
and His Noble Helpmate.
BROOKLYN Eagle.

and His Noble Helpmate.
Brooklyn Eagle.
The wife of a convict called at the
penitentiary yesterday afternoon.
She could not have been treated with
greater Difference and courtesy if her
husband had been a proprietor of the
institution. Keeper McGarry, who
opened the door for her, has been
long enough at Grow Hill to become
somewhat taciturn and rather chill~
ing IN his demeanor, but he was dis
armed at once. A lady-like little
woman, with a brave effort to restrain
her tears, had rung the clamorous
bell. She seemed to be afraid of the
echolng response to her touch, and
drew back instinctively as the keeper,
very mildly for McGary, asked what
she wanted.
Il want to see my husband, if you
please, said the little woman, steady
ing her voice.
McGarry's eyes dropped before
her pleading look. He forgot a mo
ment his customary cross fire of
questions, failed to remember that
the hour for admitting visitors had
passed, and opened the door as if he
regarded the opportunity to clear
the way for the lady as a privilege
which he was fortunate to enjoy.
Wont you please take a seat
until L call the warden ?" be inquired.
In a few moments Warden Green
made his appearance. He started
out very formally.
"Well, madame, what can I do for
you?"
"Oh, sir, said the visitor, "you
won't mind my being a little
troubled, will you? I've crossed the
ocean to see my husband, and I
didn't know until this morning that
he was in prison. He stopped writ
ing to me six months ago, and I
couldn't bear it any longer. What
am [ to do Oh, my little ones! my
little ones What will become of
them ?"
This outburst knocked the ward
ems formality all to pieces. MIR. Nc
Garry retired with out delay, and
Mr.. Green surrendered at discre-
ton. He wheeled out the most
luxurious arm chair in the reception
room, begged the lady to be seated,
| and tried to look entirely composed.
''Does your husband know you are
heref' he asked.
''Oh, no, slr! He thinks I am at
home with mother and the children.
You won't object to my seeing him,
will you? To think that he should
be here! What will he say when he
sees me-what will he say p
He shall see you before you are
five minutes older" said the warden
hurrying from the room. In less
than that length of time Walter
Layton stood face to face with the
woman he supposed to be 5000
miles away. The warden had sim>
ply told hum that somebody wanted
| to see hun. Wondering who it
could possibly be, he followed Mr..
Green to the reception room. AS he
reached the door he caught sight of
his wife. She had risen from her
chair and was leaning on the arm for
support.
''Good God!' exclaimed Layton, as
with look OF recognition he rushed
forward. Husband and wife were in
each others arms, and the Warden
was deeply interested in the view
from the furthest window. When
the interview was over he learned
that not until the steamer had start
did Mrs Layton tell her mother OF
her purpose to come to America, A
letter mailed at Queenstown convey
ed the intelligence that she had
gone to look for Walter" Lay.
ton found his way into the peniten-
tiary after a trial for theft. There
were some peculiar circumstances
about the case, the private opinions
of the Warden being that the young
man is paying the penalty for anoth
er's crime At all events he will be-
at liberty in two Or three months
and for at least that length of time
his wife will be resident O.
Brooklyn.
THAT interview" said the Warden
''was the most affecting scene l evel
witnessed. There is not much the
matter with my nerves that l know
of, but l prefer to be counted ou
when anything of the kind is going
on"