The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-10-17
A CHILD,S PRAYER.
How IL Melted the Heart Of NIissonrPs Act
Ing Governor.

Governor Campbell has issued par
don to Eli Burnett, of Bates county,
Mo-, who was at the July term, 1882,
sentenced to three years in the Peniten-
tiary for grand larceny. The pardon was
granted upon petition which sets ont
that the crime was Burnett's first oilcnse,
and that the law having been sufficiently
indicated by years imprisonment, if
given his liberty he would lead an honest
life; and, further, he is the father of n
little motherless, sickly girl, who is
thrown upon the world and who needs a
fathers care and attention. The petit
ton is signed by the prosecuting wit
nesses, pros attorney, sheriff and
recorder Of the county, ex-State Sena-
tor Bradley and large number ofprom-
inent citizens of Butler county, among
whom are bankers, attorneys, physicians,
merchants ministers, formers, and other
trades and professions.
The Governors order rccites as fol-
lows:
Granted for the reasons given in the
within application signed by the prose
cutting attorney, prosecuting witnesses
and the officers of the county and leading
citizens, and especially upon thcapplica
ton and fearful supplication of his six
ycar.old motherless little girl"
The petition was presented by the Sis.
ter Of the prisoner, who was accompa-
MED by the little child. While the Gov
ernor was reading the petition the little
girl quietly approached him, and, at
tracing his attention, said, with stream
ing eyes and trembling lips:
"Plcase, sir. 1t my papa go home
with me"
The Governor was greatly affected by
the simple prayer of the little orphan, and
with difficulty controlled his feelings. 1t
was no put up Job, no acting; simply the
earnest pleading # weak little child
for her papa. Whatever he might do to
others to her he was all in all; too young
to know of crime, she only knew her
father had been taken from her and was
in prison, and she wanted him.
The Governor, however, did not allow
his feelings to sway him in this matter,
and declined to act in the case until he
had duly considered it, but kindly t)ld
the little one he would see what he could
do for her by morning. When she left
she took his hand and said:
"Plense let me have my papa"
In the morning the sister and child
again called on the Governor, and the
child renewed her pleadings for her
iather's release. The Governor, not
having decided on granting the pardon
told the little one she could go home
md he would send word what he would
10, but she replied;
81 cannot go home again without my
papa"
Following this they took their dcpar-
tire and went ont to tie Penitentary.
About m hour later the Governor came
to the conclusion that the circumstances
Of the case, the strong recommendations
and particularly the need Of the child
for protector, warranted executive
cicmcncy, and ordered the pardon. In
mediatcly upon its being signed he dis
patched II messenger to the prison with
it, so the little ones heart might be
made glad and her burden OF sorrow re-
moved MS soon as pos ible.
The sister of the prisoner says never a
day has passed since the imprisonment
of Burnett that the little girl has moi
, W, pit for her loss ard frctted for his re-
, turn. -JCDcrsOn city Letter.