The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-02-26
The SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1884.
REUNITED.
An Ex-COnvict's Meeting With His
Family.
Penny Press.


COLUMBUS. o.. Feb This afternoon
a slight-built, pale-faced man, accompan.
led by a poorly dressed woman and two
small boys, entered High street restap.
rant and sat down at table. There was
something about this modes appearing
liule group that attracted the attention
of those present. The boys were hand
some little fellows, aged about and 10,
with blue eyes and light brown hair
The woman ordered dinner tor the party
but when it was brought very little was
eaten. She sat close beside The man, and
bafnre the victuals we're brought held
one OF his hands in hers. The man
kept gazing down at his plate, bnt a
smile OF happiness would occasionally
light up his otherwise pale, sad features,
and be would look at the boys. The
younger of the two never removed his
eyes from The mans lace. Inquiry elected
that the party were husband and wife
and the boys their sons, and that the
man was formerly book-keeper at Gin
cinnati In 1878 be was convicted In
the Common Pleas Court OF Hamilton
county, and sentenced to the Peniten-
tisrv for seven years, and by tie COM
mutation allowed for good bsbaviorSand
a strict performance Of duty bis time
was up to-day, and his wi e and little
boys met bin at the door Of the Pepi-
Tertiary. His wife had been twice TO
see him, but his bright little boys be had
not seen for six years. The man ia
probably 25 and the woman 10 the neigh
bortood of 30 Her heart was nearly
broken when her husband was taken
from her, but she was in destitute cir.
cumsiances and friends (p) had turned
their hack on her, and as che had two
babes to, clothe and feed she dried her
ewes and heroically went to work. For
six long yesrs she had provided for her
self and her boys, sewing canvas bags
for large pork packing establishment
at Cincinnati. How many weary nights
have passed away since the beginning OF
her troubles! How patti rntly she has
waited and watched for the day-this
day-of her unfortunate husbands re.
lease! Many are the lonely vigils OF tie
nigh. that this poor, delicate woman has
passed as. she sat at the crib Of her little
ones stitching foi food, and mourning
for her husband, but the long looked-for
day arrived, and the busy little woman
With her boys FASTENED from Cincinnati
this morning to grest him ss he threw
of the prison stripes.
They sat at the end OF a long table.
the eldest OF the two boys at the end
with bis mother between him and his
father. The younger boy sat directly
opposite and gag d intently at the par
ent who was an entire stranger to him
"And can it be possible that that is little
Eddie ?" remarked the ex-convict. "and ]
suppose that Jimmy has forgotten me
entirely; eh, Jimmyp" The boy looked
up quickly from his plate, bis chin COM
menced to quiver aud he said: "No, l.
l haven't. pa. Lean remember that you
used to hold me in your lap when | was
little, before you went away and jump
ing of the chair. he ran around and put
his arms about bis fa'her's neck and, lsy
ing his face on his fathers breast. broke
ont IN hearty fit OF crying. Thi,
broke the ice and the father and mother
mingled theirtears with the little fellows
1t was something new to the, youDges
boy and his handsome blue ewes grew
larger as he saw the three CRYING fol
very joy. It was long time before the
woman's sobs were hushed, and the littl,
fellow still gazed alternately from hi
father sud mother to the others sitting
around. Not word was spoken by an,
one while the affecting scene was be n.
enacted, and nothing but sympathetl
glances were cast at the little party.
| They did not intend to make an exhi
bition Of their feelings, but the actor
lof the older boy broke oil restraint, ant
the pent-up grief Of years, mingled will
their new JOY, had TO find vent. Th
woman said that they did not intend t,
| go hack to Cincinnsti, but would leav
Columbus this evening for the West
They viii locate in a town ia one OF th
territories, TO commence life anew.
| f"h "a sa' LEY.
I y tft. ~ 49, 7Ysil Efg