The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-09-27


more pleasantly this time.
We'll, Bondy, here is little Kate;
don. you want to see herr"
Little katie-n There was
a long pause. Il had a Kate once
not a little Katie; | broke her
heart-God pity me! Go on, it can't
be for me-"
Again the sweet voice rang out:
Father"
The prisoner came up close to the
bars; a youthful face, framed with
light, wavy hair-a face in which
the blue eyes looked innOcent-a
face that it seemed sin to couple
with fol | deed, gazed out. 1t was
a child's earnest, fearful eyes; dark
expression rolled like a wave across
his brow; a groan came up from his
bosom, and, with low moan, he
staggered 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 a little girl-Katie,
your daughter-wants to see you"
A stupid What" came from the
bed; the man had probably Just
awakened.
Your little daughter
There was a sound of rattling irons
that made the girl shiver. Dimly
appeared the face and outlines of a
well made man-the cOurtenance
handsome, but evil. lie seemed not
to comprehend. But as fast as the
chains would permit him, he came
forward and looked out at the anx-
ious face below.
With a loud. convulsive cry she
exclaimed:
Father. fatherl' and fell nearly
senseless against the jailer
Katie exclaimed the man, and
there was a nervous twitching about
the muscles Of the mouth; What
ever has brought her here?"
I The jailer was calling the child TO
consciousness.
/ Shall we let her come in the cell?
asked the warden.
! Jim was dashing his hand across
his face. \ smothered yes, issued
from his lips. They opened the
ponderous door and put the child
within. Her arms were outstretched,
his were wide open and they came
together with a clanking sound-to-
gether about the form of that poor
/ little child.
/ "Oh father
"Oh, Katie. Katie" and then
there was a quiet crying. By and
/ by the man lifted the little head,
whose glossy curls were falling on
his shoulder-and, oh what a sharp
rattle of chains smote on the ear
and looked in her face. After a mo-
ment's irresolutiCn he kissed her,
and then his eyes fell under her
earnest loving look.
Katie, what made you Gomez
Wanted to see you, father and
the head was on the shoulder again.
How did you come, Katie? New
er mind the noise, they are locking
up; they will be here again and let
you out. How did YOU come, Ka-
tie?"
Il walked here "
From New York, child?"
YES, 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 fear.ully asked,
but not responded TO. He gazed
eagerly in the child's face: her little
lip was quivering.
Katie, tell me quick :"
She died, father"
\ groan-a terrible groan-fol-
! lowed; the mans head fell in the
lap OF his child. and he wept with
strong cries. The jailer and the
warden said that they never saw
sight 50 woeful. and the child tried
to comfort him till his strength
seemed to be gone, and his sobs were
like gasps.
"Ob, Katie, when did she die?
Oh, my poor May! my poor girlw
Ever so long ago, | think; ever
so many weeks" replied the child;
but she told me to cone and see
you. and comfort you.n
"0h, this Is hard, very hard; she
always forgave me"
"She told me to pray for you. 100;
she told me to ask you would YOU
be real good after you came out, and
meet her in heaven" ."
"In heaven! | in heaven?' groan-
ed the man, giving way in his ag-
onv. The child was angel guided.
Her soft touch was better for his
souls good than the stripes and the
chains. He had been hardened; her
little love melted down the ada
mant: had found the good locked
up in his nature, and she had sent
her sweet smiles through its prison
door. Long he sat there, bis head
in the lap Of his beautiful, quiet
child. None dared disturb him;
iailer and warden walked to and fro
Father, when YOU come out III
take care of you"
He lifted his head: his ewes. red
with weeping, were fastened on her
face.
Mother said | might
Gods blessing on YOU. nv pre-
cious child; you may save your mis-
erable fatherl"
Il will father"
The warden cleared his throat;
the jailer smoke roughly to one of
the prisoners-it was to hide his
emotion. You had better come
now" he added, going to the cell.
Katie. you must 90: viii you
come again, my child?"
Cant | stay, father"
"No, dear; but you shall come and
see me again"
They took her gently from the
dark cell; she sobbed very quietly.
In the warden's room stood a pleas
ant faced old man.
Il Lnro ol,r,.o q ftor thnt l;ttlo rr;rI y