Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-05-11

sounded so sweet, so cnHQisn, In that
terrible prison. But as the scowling
face came close to the bars, the child
hid her head quickly in the jailer's arm,
half sobbing; it wasn't him.
Is Wen try the next one"
He walked further, and spoke more
pleasantly this time:
ssWell, Bondy, here is little Kate !;
don't you want TO see her?''
s'Little Hattie there was long
pause. Il had 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 face. that it seemed
a sin to couple with foul deed, gazed
out. 1t was a child's earnest, pleading,
fearful eyes; a dark expression rolled
like wave across his brow; a groan
came up from his bosom, and with a
low moan he staggered against his bed,
crying:
''Take her away; can't stand the
sight of anything pure like that
Katie had hidden her face a second
time as she feebly cried, ''Itisn't him."
so they kept on to the third cell.
ssJm, here's little girl-little Katie,
your daughter-wants to see you"
A stupid "whati" came from the
bed; the man had probably just awak-
ened. H.
s'Your little daughter.
There was a sound of rafting irons
that made the girl SILVER. Dimly ap-
peared the face and outlines of a we'll
made mantle countenance handsome
but evil. He seemed not to comprehend.
But as fast as the chains would permit
him, he came forward and looked out at
the anxious face below.
With loud, eonvulsiVe cry she ex-
claimed: aFather! fatheri'' and fell
nearly senseless against the jailer.
"katie!" exclaimed the man, and
there was nervous twitching about the
brought her here?''
The jailer was calling the child to con-
seriousness.
Snail we let her come in 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 outstretched, his were wide
open, and they came together with a
clanking sound-together about the form
of that poor little child.
"Oh, father!"
ssOh, 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 OIL
what sharp rattle of chains smote on
the ear-and looked in her face After
a moments irresolution he kissed her,
and then his ewes fell under her earnest,
loving look.
Katie, what made you come?''
Wanted to see you, father,'' and the
head was his shoulder again.
s' How did you come, Katie? Never
mind the noise, they are locking up;
they viii be here again and let you out.
How did you come, katie?''
"I 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 asked fearfullv, but
not responded to. He gazed eagerly in
the child's face; her little lip was quiv-
ering.
IS Katie, tell me quick!'
"She died, father!''
4 groan-a terrible groau-followed;
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 a sight so woeful. Aud the
child tried to comfort him, till his
strength seemed to be gone and his sobs
we're like gasps.
go, Katie, when did she die? o, my
poor May! my poor grill"
ssEver so long ago, l think; ever so
many weeks" replied the child; "but
she told me to come and see you, and
comfort you"
go, this is hard; very hard; she al
ways forgave me-"
sShe told me to pray for you, too;
she told me to ask you would you be
real good after you came out, and meet
aer in Heaven
ain Heavenl I in Heavene'' groaned
he man, giving way in his agony. The
W11o AACi SOAI bOuSA
vas better fer his souls good than the
stripes and the chains. He had been
hardened; her little love melted down
he adamant; had found the good locked
Up in his nature, and she had sent her
sweet smiles through its prison door.
Long he sat there, his head in the lap of
his beautiful, quiet child. None dared
disturb him; jailer and warden walked
20 and fro.
s.Father, when you come out, I'll
AXE care of YOU"
He lifted his head; his eyes, red with
were fastened on her face.
81 Mother said might
"God's blessing on you, my precious
child; you may save your miserable
.ather!"
"I win, father"
The warden cleared his throat; the
ailer spoke roughly to one of the pris-
was to hide his emotion. stYou
aad better come now," he added, going
% the cell.
Sc Katie, you must go; viii you come
again, my child?"
"Can't stay, father?''