Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-09-08
THE CONvICTS' CHILD.
a True story.
1t was morning.


The dew had fallen. Kate had fallen.
too, almost. A rough stone by the way,
imbedded in moss, received her tired lit
tie 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 hr"k.
why, what is the dear litiie girl do
ing nere2' The exclamation came from
pair Of young lips.
"a curiosity, declare" exclaimed n
harsher voice, and Kate, looking up
suddenly, covered away from the sight
of the young lady and her agreeable
looking companion.
"What are you doing here, little girl?
asked Nell haywood, moving n little
nearer toward the frightened child.
Going, Miss, to Sing Sing" said
Kate
"Why, George this child is gong to
Sing Sing, ten miles off. Child, did you
know it was SO far of2'
Kate shook her head and wiped
away the hot and heavy tears one by
one.
"Why, you little goose. what are you
going t Sing Sing foI? Have you had
yOnr supper
Kate shook her head.
"Have you had any dinner
Again the child shook h,r head.
"No breakfast. Why, George, the
poor thing must be almort starvedw
IL should think &c." mechanically re
piled her brother, just recovering from
ynwn, and showing signs ofsympathy
Look here, what's your namcI Well,
girl yoU must come up To the house
and get something to eat Follow me
wen take care of you tonight somehow,
aud see about your going to Sing Sing
tomorrow"
Ktre followed What glorious Wis
ion hurst upon her view! That pallial
house; the rocks roddcning in the low
western sun; the shining river; the sign
of luxury ON every hand.
Susan, give this child 81 good supper;
she il hungry and tired too, imagine.
After that will see what can be done
for her"
Susan wore mild face. She looked
pleasantly down ut the poor tired little
one, and taking her hand, which trem-
blcd now, led her into the kitchen
Meanwhile her story or that brief
part of il which we know, was being
told in the drawingroom. The sylph like
figure in white, Longing gracefully in
the midst of delicate cushions, accom-
panied her narration with expressive
gestures, and now and then II little
laugh.
81 should like to know what She is
going To Sing Sing forl" sh,7 said, lean
ing languidly back. 1--WE must look
her up something to wear-a bonnet, Il
pair of shoes, and then maybe we can
manage to have her carried some dis
lance ONT such an odd little thngl"
"Who is that, my daughter?'
"Oh, papa, You have come home!
Why, was talking about little mite
of child she can't I've moro than ten,
II that; saw her ont here sitting on a
moss rock, the most forlorn object.
She says she is going to Sing Sing"
81 met her on my way" sad the
pleasant faced old man; "she asked
me about it, and would have stopped
her, but she trudged ON. Where is
she? 1t was noon when saw her"
A gay trio Of young girls came in.
The MEETINGS were put up, the gas was
burning brightly and music and mirth
banished all thoughts of care. Sud
denly Nell haywood remembered the
odd little figure, and clapping her
hands, cried, "Oh. I've something TO
show you, girls" and Disappeared.
Susan was picking Gooscbcrries near
the pantry N the kitchen
"Whetc is the child, Susie?" asked
Nell haywood.
"On the doorstep, Miss"
"Why, no, Susan, there's nobody to
be seen"
mo, MISS" Susan placed her pan
down, held her apron mp to catch the
stems of the berries and walked DELHI
cratcly to- the door.
"Why, she sst there sometime after
supper turned and came in; she
was sitting there, looking up, up at the
stars, | EXPECT. | thought she was II
mighty quiet child, but she's deep,
deep, Miss Nelly. she's gone Let me
see, there amt any silver around-I
should I've afeared she'd took some
thing: they're mighty artful."
why, didn't Won tell her she might
stay all night?' Nell haywood was
pecping here and there to spy her il
possible
"Yes, Miss Neil, and told her what Il
good bed there was over the woodShed
but she looked strange out of them
large eyes Of hers"
The poor child is in trouble" said
Nell, quite s0rrnwful that she could
not further relieve her necessities
"I'd have given her something to wear,
and we could have sent her to Sing
Sing; and perhaps she will come back
aSain--if so, will You send her To m.?'
"If she do, | will, Miss" answered
Susan, going NJ the goeseherries again.
But little Kate did not come back.
She had been watching her oppor.
tunity to- get of, and had already been
gone some time. She slept in al
open field; crawled in some hay; she
would have walked all night if she
had dared, hut she was afraid of the
darkness.
Mr.. Warden, there's queer case
over at my house" said n bluff looking
fellow, meeting the warden OF Sing
Sing prison. I'VE found her last nigh
in some out-of-the-way place, auc
nothing would do but my wife mus
take her in. We can't find out hel
name, except that it is Kate, and
expect she wants to see somebody il
prison. But We can't get anthing ou
Of her-where she's come from or any
thing about it"
Bring her over here said the war
den. "My wife is wanting little cir
for help; may be she's just the one"
SO Kate stood, trembling more thar
ever, in few moments, in the pres
ence of the warden and jailer. Kat
was pretty child. Her large blu
eyes wore an expression of intens
melancholy; her hair had been NIGEL,
combed and curled, and some one ha,
put good pair OF shoes on her feet
"Well, my little girl" said the war
den, kindly-for he was preposses,e '
in her favor-"where have you com
from2'