The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-09-17
THE CONNICTS CHILD.


"ls this the way, sir, to Sing SingY 2"
Yes" roughly replied hroad-taced
countryman and passed on.
II was afternoon. The child was some
what fragile in her appearance. Her bon
net was of broken straw, her shoes Were
much torn; the sun played hotly on her
forehead. She walked on an hour longer
Z" Is this the way to Sing Sing, sir ?"
eyes, little girl, but what are you going
there for i''
She child trudged on, her lips quivering,
but not deigning to answer the pl easant-
faced old man who had 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. rough stone by the way, I'M
bedded in moss, received her tired little
frame. She looked so worn and tired, sit
ting there, her tangled hair falling on her
hands that were clasped over her face. by
the shaking of her frame the tears were
coming, too, and she was BRAY ely trying to
keep them back.
"Why what is the dear little girl doing
here ~ The exclamation came from a pair
of young lips.
"A curiosity, | declare" exclaimed a
harsher voice, and Katie, looking up sud
denly, covered away from the sight of the
young lady and her agreeable-looking com
panion.
"Whatcver are you doing here, little
girl 2" asked Nell haywood moving a lit
nearer toward the frightened child.
"Gong, miss, to Sing Sing" said Kate.
"Why, George! this child is going to
Sing Sing--ten miles off. Child, did you
know it was so far of 7"
Katie shook her head, and wiped away
"a hot and heavy taarS one Inv
"Why, You little goose, what are You 60
ing to Sing Sing for3 Have you had your
supper i''
Katie shook her head.
Have you had any dinner :"
Again the child shook her head.
"No breakfast. Why George, the poor
thing must be almost starved I"
81 should think So" mechanically re-
piled her brother, inst recovering from {
yawn, and showing signs of sympathy.
Look here, what's your namef Well
girl, you must come up to the house and gel
something to eat. Follow me, and Well take
care of you tonight, somehow, and see about
your going to Sing Sing tomorrow"
Katie followed. What n glorious vision
burst upon her view The palatial house
the rocks reddening in the low western sun
theshining river; the signs of luxury oil
every hand.
Susan, give this child good supper
she is hungry, and tired too, | imagine
After that will see what can be done TO
her."
Susan wore a mild face She looked pleas
antly down at the poor, tired little one, anc
taking her hand, which trembled now, le'
her into the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story, or that brief part @
it which we know, was being told in tn
drawing room. The sylph-like figure il
white, lounging gracefully in the midst o
delicate cushions, accompanied her narration
with expressive gestures, and now and thel
little laugh.
:" should like to know what she il goin
to Sing Sing for ~ she said, leaning lauguidl
back. "We must look her up something t
wear-a bonnet, pair of shoes, and the
may be we can manage to have her carrie
some distance. Oh ! such an odd it'll
thing
who is that, my daughter 70
"Oh, papa, You are come home Why,
was talking about little mite of a child
she can't be more than ten, if that. | Sal
her out here sitting on moss rock, themes
forlorn object. She says she is going to Sin
Sing"
al met her on my way" said the pleasan
faced old man; she asked me about it, an
would have stopped her, but she trudge
her."
:" In the kitchen, papa. Susan is takin
good care her, think; and when she III
had hearty supper we will talk with her.
gay trio of young girls came in.
The MEETINGS We're put up, the gas WI
burning brightly, and music and mrth bal
ished all thoughts of care, Suddenly Ne
haywood remembered the odd little iigur
and clasping her hands said, son, Pve som
thing to show you, girlsl" and disappeare
Susan was picking gooseberres near IL
pantry in tho kitchen.
Where is the child, Susie ?" asked Ne
haywood.
son the doorstep, miss"
"Why, no. Susan, there's nobody to
seem"
No miss" Susan placed her pan dow
held her apron up to catch the stems of Il
berries, and walked deliberately to the doc
"Why, she sat there some time after su
per. turned and came I'M she was 5
ting there, looking up, up at the stars,
expect | thought she was u mighty qui
child, but she's deep, Miss Nellie; sh,
gone. let me see, there amt any silv
around should be afraid she'd took som
thing they're mighty artful."
" Why didn't you tell her she might st
all night 7" Nell Haywood was peepiI
here and there 10 spy her if possible.
Yes, Miss Nell, and told her what 60
bed there was over the wOodshed but 81
looked strange out of them large eyes
hers.
"The poor child is in trouble, said Ne
quite sorrOwful that she could not furtl
relieve her necessities. "pd have Civ
her something to wear, and we could ha
sent her TO Sing Sing and perhaps she W
come back again--if so, will you send her
me2"
"If she do, will, miss, " answered Susl
going to the gooseberries again.
But little Kate did not come back; she h
been watching her opportunity to get
and had already been gone some time. 5
slept in an open field crawled into so
hay she would have walked all nigh
she had dared, but she was afraid OF /
darkness.
"Mr. Warden, there's queer case OF
at my house," said bluil. looking fellC
meeting the warden of Sing Sing pris
awe found her last night in some out-oft
way place, and nothing would do but
wife must take her in. We can't find