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

II was morning.
is this the way, sir, to Sing Sing?'
Yes" roughly replied a broad
faced countrvman and passed on.
1t was afternoon. The child was
somewhat fragile in appearance.
/ Her bonnet was of broken straw,
her shoes were much torn: the sun
PLAYED hotly on her forehead. She
walked on and on an hour longer.
''Is this the way to Sing Sing,
sir?"
"Yes. little girl, but what are you
going there for?"
The child trudged on, her lips
quivering, but not deigning to an
swer the pleasant faced old man
who had stopped the jogging of his
horse to note her hurried manner,
and who liked that little face, anx-
ious and sad as its expression was.
The dew had fallen. Kate had
/ fallen. too. almost. \ rough stone
| bv the way. imbedded in moss, re-
ceiving her tired little frame. She
! looked so worn and tired, sitting
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 bravely trying to keep them
back.
WHY. what is the dear little girl
doing here?" The exclamation came
from pair of Young lips.
"A curiosity. | declare" exclaim-
ed harsher voice. and Kate, look
I ing up suddenly, covered away from
( the sight of the young lady and her
agreeable looking companion.
Whatever are YOU doing here
1 little grip" asked Nell haywood
moving little nearer toward the
frightened child.
Going, Miss, TO Sing Sing, said
Katie.
WHY. George, this child is going
to Sing Sing-ten miles off. Child,
did YOU know it was so 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 for? Have
you had your supper"
Katie shook her head.
"Have YOU had any dinner"
Again the child shook her head
NO breakfast. Why, George, the
poor thing must he almost starved
Il should think so. = mechanically
replied her brother, just recovering
from yawn, and showing signs of
sympathy.
Look here. what's your name?
Well, girl, you must come mp to the
house and get something TO eat. Fol
low me. and we'll take care Of you
tonight. somehow, and we'll see
about your going TO Sing Sing to-
morrow
Katie followed. What a glorious
vision burst upon her view The
palatial house: therock reddening in
the low western sun; the shining
river: the sign of luxury on every
hand
Susan. give this child a good
supper; she Is hungry. and tired,
too. | imagine. After that | will
see what can be done for her"
Susan wore mild face. She
looked pleasantly down at the poor,
tired little one, and taking her hand,
which trembled now. led her into
the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story, or that brief
part of which We know, was being
told in the drawing room. The
svlph-like figure in white, lounging
gracefully in the midst of delicate
cushions, accompanied her nara
ton with expressive gestures, and
now and then a little laugh.
Il should like to know what she
: is going to Sing Sing ior." she said,
I leaning languidly back. We must
look her up something TO Wear-a
bonnet. pair of shoes, and then
mavbe we can manage to have her
carried some distance. On such
an odd little thing"
"Who is that nv daughter"
"Oh, papa, you are come home
Why. | was talking about a little
mite of child: she can't be more
than ten, if that. | saw her out
here sitting on a moss rock, the most
forlorn object. She says she is go
ing to Sing Sing"
Il met her on my way" said the
pleasant faced old man; she asked
me about it, and | would have stop
ped her, but she trudged on. Where
is she? 1t was noon when l saw