Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-04-05
The Sturw TeMer.
THE CONVIcT's CHILD.

1t was early morning. Is tlliS the way
sir, to Sing Sing?" "Yes, roughly replied
. Il 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 and on an hour
longer.
us this the way to Sing-Sing, sir?"
eyes, little girl, but what are you going
there for?"
The child trudged on, her lips quivering,
but not deigning to answer the pleasant
faced old man who had stopped the jogging
of his horse to note her hurried manner,
and VINO liked that little face, anxious and
sad as the expression was.
The dew was fallen. Katie had fallen,
too, almost. A rough stone by the way,
imbedded jim 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 bravely trying to
hold them back.
of young lips.
"a curiosity, I daclarep' 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. ,
"Whatever are you doing here, little
girl?" asked Nell haywood, moving little
nearer toward the frighted child.
"Going, Miss, to Sing Sing" said Kate,
"Why, George! this child is going to
Sing Sfng-ten miles off. Child, did you
know it was so far off?'
Kate shook her head, and wiped away
tho hot and heavy tears.
"Why, you little goose, what are you
going to Sing Sing for? Have you had
your supper?"
Katie shook her head.
X s'Have you had any dinner""
Again the child shook her head.
"And no breakfast. Why, George, the
poor thing must be almost starved"
''I 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 up to the house and get
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 glorious vision
burst upon her view The palatial house ;
the rocks reddening in the low western
SUN; the shining river; the signs of luxury
on every hand.
susan, give tnlS cnllu SOOu supper
she is hungry and tired, too, l imagine.
After that will see what can be dore 1oi
her."
Susan wore mild face. She looked pleas
antly down at the poor tired little OF e, and
taking her hand, which trembled now, led
her back into the kitchen.
Meanwhile her story, or that brief part
of it., which we know, was being told IN
the drawing-room. The sylph-like figure
in white, lounging gracefully in the midst
of delicate cushions: accompanied her mar
ration with expressive gestures, and no"
and then little laugh.
WI should like to know what she is going
to Sing Sing for" she said leaning languldly y
back. "We must look her up something tt
wear-a bonnet, q pair of shoes, and ther
maybe we can manage to carry her some
distance. Oh, she's such an odd little
thingw
"Who is that, my daughter ?"
"Oh, papa, you are come home! Why
was talking of a little mite of child; she
can't be more than ten, if that. saw he
out here sitting on a moss rock, the mos
forlorn object. She says she is going t.
Sing Sing"
II met her on my way" said the pleas
and would have stopped her but she trudg
ed on. Where is she? 1t was noon whel
I saw her."
''In the kitchen, papa. Susan is taking
good care of her, / think, and when she ha
had hearty sup per we will talk with her.
A gay trio of young girls came in. Th
MEETINGS were put up, the gas burning. bright
ly, and music and mirth banished al
thoughts of care. Suddenly Nell haywood
remembered the odd little figure, and clap
ping her hands, cried
"Oh, I've something to show you, girls y
and disappeared.
Susan was picking gooseberries near tn
pantry in the kitchen.
''Where is the child, Susie ?" asked Nell
Con the doorstep, miss"
sWhy, no, Susan, there's nobody to b
seen."
"No, miss" Susan placed her ham
down, held her apron up to catch the stem
of the berries, and walked deliberately t
the door. "Why, she sat there sometim
after supper. I turned and came in-sh
was sitting there, looking up, up at the stars
1 expect. I thought she was mighty quie
child, but she's deep, deep, Miss Nelly
she's gone. Let me see, there amt any si
yer around-I should be afeared she'd too
something they're mighty artful.'
IINyhy 1i1n,t yOu tell her she might sta