The Mineral argus., 1884-11-06
A State Prison rnoid.-

As the train neared the b...
roWning down upon the iron tSo.. val
fare, the pale-faced woman sOOgh-
eyes, with streaks of gray anu "s'a sad
hair pressed the little goldsJ-%s.. Aa
girl more closely to her side. Afea
Sing Sing!" rang out the train.
voice. 0naus
have passed the station tim.
line again, but always the sou. sna
hat name falls upon my ears with q
nal import. In the glow of a U.S.
midday, when ali the earth Is Iaael
teous, when songs of gladness an TssO'
alr-the name sends a chill of A.. we
to my heart; a sympathetic feeI;n~p@
those who are condemned to nasse 10
hours, weeks, dragging months and, ~g
years within those dismal walls
midnight, when the wind whistles az
the Hudson river palisades, and w
the heecy snow clouds scurrv alonnS
black horizon, I've often been awssS
ed from a pleasant dream of ~
where dear ones are gathered. bvs
sound of that name-Sing Sing AN
within a stones throw are bWnd,.s
sleeping, dreaming perhaps of otSas
days, or tossing upon hard couoS..
with the grim fingers ofdespair dsas
ging from the hearts core the consc;aaS
stricken cry of remorse.
l CHANGED to catch the look of r..
sorrow that came upon the women.
face as the trainman sang out aSins
Sing" The train stopped, and she sos
out with the child. Here, thouCbfs :
to myself is a life chapter about TON,
reversed. Having time to spare. and
knowing that L could catch anotb.,
train in an hour, / followed the nals
faced woman and child.
To the great iron gates she went.
they were open when she showed a ain
Of paper to the man in charge. He. !
chance happened, was not unknown !
me; he recognized me and allowed ms
entrance without a pass.
followed the woman to official bead.
quarters. l saw her speak to the pen.
tleman sitting at the desk, and 1 saw
strange look come upon his face. H.
pressed a button in the wall, and to N,
young nan that responded he whispers
a few words. Then the woman AM
child followed the young man from I'M
room. Hastily stepping forward, TOD
the official / was a member of the pres,
Ere l had finished he pointed aftg
the departing two and said:
Follow them. You will find a SAD
but interesting theme to write about BY
so doing"
Through the long, black hall,
traced the trio. Into a we'll liebtaJ
and aired room they entered, and / a.
them. There was smell of medicines
that deep, heavy silence, telling me, III
had even been blind to the long rows Of
snowy cots and pale faces that 1 was in
the prison hospital.
The woman stood still for an instant
clasping the little ones hand tightrE
gazed around the great room. Al!
4 sudden light came into those sad era
IS they fell upon one particular cd
half way up the with a wan, hd,
ow-cheeked face upon the white pillow.
There was no necessity for the young
'ficial to conduct her to the cot. Love
love which years of bitter separation
Gould not destroy pointed the way.
swiftly she glided to the cot. She
melt by the side of it; she presseds
Hiss upon the pallid brow, over which
he parchment-like skin was tightly
lrawn. James, James, do you know
came from her pale lips.
The sufferers lips moved, but nc
ound came from them. The eyes were
astened upon her face-burning ewes,
Ieep-set among hollow sockets. Did
Ie recognize her?
She lifted the little girl up. kiss
'oor papa, Hattie; poor papa is sick"
Like the touch of dewy rose-leaves
he sweet lips of the little girl were
aid upon the hollow cheeks.
Then a strange, inquiring look came
lto the mans eyes. The eyes turned
rom the little girl to the fearful face Of
he woman. The lips opened and in faint
usky tones came the faltering words
Who-who is il ?"
"Our baby, James. Little Hattie
on have never seen Hattie before
he vas not born when-when--"
The horror upon the mans face cut
hort the wife and mothers words.
Don't talk to long too him, madam;
g is very weak" said the nurse who
pproached. There she knelt, The
DOR, pale-faced woman with the Won
face of her little girl pressed to
er cheek. Slowly the minutes shy
y, and the sunshine coming through
ne window falls upon the cot. II
,uches the mans face. He lifts bis
yes to the ceiling, and as the wites
tenderly draw the head to her
osom the little girl kisses poor papa
"Ha-Hattie. wife-free-free." The