Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-04-19
MY FIRST PRISONER.
fFrom the .Jefferson CITY Tribuu

(From the Jefferson City Tribune.I
"Did l ever tell you, Phil, about my frs
act Of authority at the state prison ~
"Well, as you know, 1 was once an Office
In our state penitentiary, and it so happened
that in consequence of the absence and sick
ness Of the warde. and his deputy, I was LET
in sole charge Of the institution. OF course
was full Of my dignity. and lost no opportu'
nifty OF asserting my authority. On one occa
sion l had just locked up everything for thu
night, and was going home, when the stage
from Lexington drove up and q passenger
alighted."
a. you the warden, sir p he asked.
Eyes, sir, for the time being.'
81 am the sheriff Of Lafayette county, and
| have 8 prisoner for you in the stage, snd
here is the writ Of commitment"
And going back he helped out 3 womaI
with an infant in her arms.
"Shall We go in and fix up the receipt
said the officer, leading forward the prisoner
toward the gate.
."Hold on . moment. Mr.. Sheriff" said l,
this commitment calls for one prisoner. q
woman, but says nothing about two.'
"What. Two I" he inquired.
"The child" I answered in full conscious
ness OF the power Of the law. "You can't
put that child In here on this writ, or any
other, l reckon. IN give you > receipt for
the woman"
THAT'S all I want" said the officer, "come
on"
"Not SO fast, if you please, sir" said 1.
barring the WAY. "Ths woman can go In.
Ny duty require. me to receive her. But
By this time the mothers eyes had opened
to their full extent, and she became . decided
ly interested listener
SWELL" said the sheriff, II was ordered to
bring them here, and I have done it, and you
won't receive them-whst are you going to
do about itr'
What are you going to do p said I, in my
most dignined manner.
"You surely wouldn't separate the mother
and child, would you ~ he in uired earnest
"No, sir: I wouldnt-I have nothing to
the state. You must take it yourself. I
have nothing to do with it.
.WhatT' exclaimed the mother, take my
baby from me! separate me from my child!
On, no nj no! Never! never! I'll die
first! No! no! ne! !"
started down the street In an agony of fright.
The scene had now become decidedly in
teresttng. The woman had been brought
back. and was weeping bitterly, and kissing
her baby. who now frightened was adding
ITS cries to, help on The confusion, and the
slence awaiting the course Of events. q
At last l said to him. ..Ill tell you how we
can fix up ali this. Go and see the governor,
and'if he says that I shall receive the woman
and her child, I'll do it; but l certainly won't
do it On this writ. That's the only way that
l can see to settle this thing.n
WELL" said he, t~l-naturedly,' 81 suppose
I'll have to do it. Come on"
SO the sheriff and the woman and child
went back to the city, and I saw no more of
them that night.
Early the next morning the sheriff made
his appearance. but without his prisoner.
Now Pve got you" he said, laughing; 81
saw the governor last night, and told him
talk aud some reflestion, he suddenly ex.
claimed:
IN Tx it! ''Pll pardon the woman"
SO he did; and the delighted mother
has sent you her warmest thanks for your
refusal yesterday, and freely forgiyes you
for the great scare you gave her." W..