Connecticut western news., 1882-09-27

At JaSG an OfQef TOT the 1uHIndFy Whs obtained, and the change from damp stone-paved cell to 8 warm room with wooden floor soon improved his con- dition. But before he had properly re- covered, the doctor told him that there was nothing at all the matter with him, and ordered him to be taken back to his cell. The next day the man had to be led from the exercise yard to his wretched habitation by warder. He was seriously ill, and the chief officer sent for the surgeon, although the sick man begged him not to trouble the bully. When the cruel doctor arrived, he abused his victim for about ten minutes, and threatened to send him to the treadmill if he dared to complain again. The prisoner made a desperate effort to bear up for the rest of his time. He succeeded; but when he was dis charged, he was only shadow of his former self. The clothes sent for him hung about his body like bags. The strain at the last was too much for him. He managed to reach home, perfect wreck. A dangerous illness ensued, and for long time his life hung by a thread. When he was able to read, friend lent him copy of "Never too Late to Mend" He was wonderfully impressed with the book.
 He declared to his wife that he felt certain the author was in earnest when he wrote that story, and that he must know a deal about the tyranny of prison officials. "He might put me in the way of getting some redress from the Government for the inhuman treatment I have received" He wrote to Charles Reade, explained his condition, and anx- iously awaited the result. The next mornings post brought him a brief fe- ply. "Cal upon me tomorrow, and l will have talk with you," wrote the philanthropist. The poor fellow was too great an invalid to bear the journey, so his wife went instead. A short time ago I had an interview with that amia- ble lady, when she told me that she should remember to her dying day her first visit to Charles Reade. ''I felt at home the moment I entered his house. He was so different to what expected to find him. Ills asked me to have some tea, and treated me more like daugh- ter than a stranger. I was suffering from neuralgia, and he pressed me to accept box of ointment that he hoped would give me relief. He said he must condemn my husbands fault, but. he continued, the punishment has ex- ceeded the offense. As he can't come to me, I will go to him. Tell him that [ am not very formidable individual i; but, as he is so i'll, will send tele- gram to prepare blm for my visit. !" As the lady left the house, her emotion choked her utterance. At the door her newly found friend slipped some gold into her hand, and told her to get her husband whatever he needed.
 Two days later MT. Reade called upon the unfortunate couple. They resided at the East End of London, in 8 decent house their benefactor has since told me that he found everything neat and clean. They had paid their way at the expense of their health. All they had possessed of any value had long since gone to the pawnshop. For some weeks they had barely existed. The wife was 8 single hearted woman who from the commencement of their trouble had stood by the side of her beloved and deied the world and its opinions. For nine weary months she had borne the taunts and reproaehes of her relatives and so-ca]led friends-but her love in. creased in proportion to the bitterness of her husbands calumniators perhaps the woman suffered more than the man, for he was protected from society, while she had to listen to the attacks made on the man whom she loved, without the power to resent them. Their story did not fail to excite the compassion of one
 whose life had been devoted to deeds o
 mercy. The visit of the eminent author
 was too much for the mans shattered
 nerves, and it was some time before ht
 could articulate.
 After a while, when the victim O
 prison tyranny had gained confidence
 for who could long remain silent ant
 uncommunicative in the presence o
 the gentle hearted Charles Reade ?-h
 gave few particulars of the plac
 where he had been tortured. Wha
 pleased his distinguished visitor mos
 was the fairness of the report. He di'
 not say that all the officials of tn
 prison in question were tyrants the
 were not all bad indeed, several of tn
 warders were men who, in spite of thei
 training and the example of granite
 hearted comrades, had still some pit
 for suffering humanity. "But," sai MT. Reade's protege, "neither tn
 warders nor the governors have an
 control over the actions of an unprinc
 pied surgeon. In 8 goal the doctor power is absolute, and, if 1t amuse
 him to do 8 man to death, there is n one within the walls who cares to or
 pose him."
 The good Samaritan, instead ( |, preaching moral lesson, or common ]: ing on the enormity of his offense, b. gan to ask practical questions, "Yo must have change of air and scene. I'll t strain upon your m1nd has been tc } much for you. You will set better 3 you will take my advice. Despair 3 t..e souls worst enemy, and if 1 hay come between you and it, I thank Ge r for it. My life, in general way, l. now useless" Thus the philanthropi