The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-11-30

"Katier' exclaimed the man, and
there was nervous twitching about
the muscle of the mouth. .What.
ever has brought her hereY'
The jailer was calling the child to
consciousness.
"Shall we let her come in the
cell?' asked the warden.
Jim was dashing his hands across
his face. A smothered Yes" is
sued from his lips. They opened
the ponderous door and put the
child within. Her arms were out
stretched, his were wide open, and
they came together with a clanking
sound-together about the form of
that poor child.
ooh, Fatherw
"Oh, Katie, Katier' 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 sharp
rattle of chain smote on her ear
and looked in her face. After >
moments irresolution he kissed her,
and then his eyes fell under her
earnest, loving look.
"Kattie, what made you Gomez
wanted to see you, father" and
the little head was on his shoulder
again.
How did you come, KatieI-
Never mind the noise; they are lock
ing up; they will be here again and
let you out. How did you come,
KatieY'
81 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 fearfully asked,
but not responded to. He gazed
eagerly in the child's face; her little
lip was quivering.
''Katie, tell me quickr'
"She died, father"
A 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 so woeful. And the child
tried to comfort him till his strength
seemed to be gone, and his sobs
were like gasps.
ooh, Katie, when did she die2
oh, my poor May! my poor girlr
Ever so long ago, think; ever
so many weeks" replied the child;
"but she told me to come and see
you, and comfort you"
ooh, this is hard, very hard; she
always forgave me-"
"She told me to pray for you, too;
she told me to ask you if you would
be real good after you came out, and
meet her in heaven"
"In heaven! L in heaven27
grOaned the man, giving way in his
agony. 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 adamant;
had found the good locked up in his
nature, and she had sent her sweet
smiles through his prison door,
Long he sat there, his head in the
lap of his beautiful quiet, child
None dared disturb him; jailer and
warden walked to and fro.
Father, when you come out I'll
take care of you"
He lifted his hand; his eyes, red
with weeping, were fastened on her
face.
"Mother said l might
Goods blessing on you, my pre-
cious child; you may save your mis-
cradle fatherr
Il will, father"
The warden cleared up his throat;
the jailer spoke roughly to one Of
the prisoners--it was to hide his
"You had better come
now," he added, going to the cell.
''Katie, you must go; will you
come again, my childY'
Cant ! stay, fatherY'
mo, dear; but you shall come
and sec me again"
They took her gently from the
dark cell; she sobbed very quietly.
In the warden's room stood pleas
ant faced old man.
Il have come after that little girl"
he said. ''She must go home with
me. I'll take good care Of her; I've
heard her story, and when her father
comes out, if he's a mind TO behave
himself, I'll give him plenty to do.
Besides that, I'll bring her up once
a week to see him. What say, little
one, will you 60 with mepl And
good old Mr.. haywood stroked her
hair as he said, pityingly, "Poor
child! poor child"
Ten miles from Sing Sing prison
there is now little cottage oc
cupied by an industrious man and
his daughter. Little Katie is fulfill
ing the commands Of her dying
mother. She is taking care Of him
as well as of herself.