The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-07-14
THE CoNVICT's CHILD.


''Is this the way to Sing Singh"
"Yes," roughly replied broa1-saced
countryman and passed on.
It was afternoon. The child was some
what fragile in her appearance. Her
bonnet was Of broken straw, her shoes
we're much torn the sun played hotly
ON her forehead She walked on an hour
longer
"Is this the way to Sing-Sing, sir?"
Eyes, little eIrl, but what are you 60
ing there for?"
The child trudged on, her lips quiver-
ing, but rot deigning 20 answer the pleas
ant-faced old man who hnd stopped the
jogging of his horse TO note her hurried
manner, and who had liked that little
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 we're cIasping over her
face. BY the shaking Of her frame the
tears were coming, too, and she was try
ing hrnvely to keep them back.
why, what is the dear girl doing
here ?" Tue exclamation came from
pair of young lips.
"A curiosity, declare " exclaimed
harsher voice, ard Katie, looking up sud-
denly, covered away from the sight Of
young lady, and her agreeable looking
companion
what are yon dong here little girl?'
asked Nell Haywood, moving little
nearer towards the frightened child.
"Going, Miss, to Sing Sing, paid
Kate.
"why, George this child is going to
Sing Sing-ten miles off. Child, did you
know it was 80 far OFF,"
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 for2" Have you Ind
your support"
Katie shook her head.
Have you had your dinner?"
Again the child shook her head.
''No breakfast. Why, George the poor
thing must be almost starved "
II should think so, mechanically re-
piled her brother, Just recovering from a
yawn. and showing signs Of sympathy.
"Look here. what's yoar name? ? Well,
glrl, you must come mp to the house and
get something to eat. Follow me, and
we'll take care Of you to night somehow,
and zee abont your going to Sing Sing
to morrow "
Kate followed. What glorious vision
burst upon her view! The palatial house;
the rocks reddenlng in the low western
sun the shining river; the signs Of lux.
ury on every hand,
''Snsan, give this child good supperi
she is hungry, and tired too, ! imagine.
After that I Will see what can be done
for her."
4 Snsnn wore a mild face. She looked
pleasantly down at the poor, tired little
one, and taking her hand, which trem'
I bled now, led her into the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story, or that briei
part of it which we know, was being
told in the drawingronm. The sylph'
like figure in white, Iounginging grace
\ fully in the midst Of delicate cushions
accompanied her narration with expires
sive gestures, and now and then a LITTLE
laugh
II should like TO know what she is gp
ing to Sing Sing for Z she said, leaning
laueuidly back .'We must look her nj
something to wear--a bonnet, pair Q
shoes, and then maybe we can mauag'
to have her carried some distance. On
such an odd little thing"
"Mho is that, my daughter