Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-05-01
My First Prisoner.

Jefferson City Tribune.
ibid 1 ever tell you, Phil, about my
first act of authority at the State prison?"
"No."
"Well, as you know, was once an Of
fcer in our State penitentiary, and it so
happened that in consequence of the alb
sence and sickness of the warden and
his deputy was left in sole charge of
the institution. Of course, I was full of
my dignity and lost no opportunity of
asserting my authority. On one occasion
[ had just locked up everything for the
night and was going home, when the
stage from Lexington drove up and a
passenger alighted."
care you the warden, sir ?" he asked.
eyes, sir; for the time being"
" am the Sheriff of Lafayette county,
and have a prisoner for you in the
stage, and here is the writ of commit
ment."
And going back he helped out wom-
an with an infant in her arms.
"Shall we go in and fix up the receipt"
said the officer, leading forward the pris-
Oner toward the gate.
Hold on a moment, Mr. Sheriff" said
1, "this commitment calls for one pris-
oner, but says nothing about two"
"What two," he inquired.
"The child" answered, in full con-
sciOusness Of the power of the law. "YOu
can't put that child in here on this writ
or any other, [ reckon. I'll give you a
receipt for the woman"
"Thats all I want" said the officer,
"come on"
"Not so fast, if you please, sir" said I,
barring the way. "The woman can go
in. My duty requires me to receive her.
But the child cannot"
! By this time the mothers eyes had
opened to their full extent, and she be-
came decid eddy interested listener.
"Well, - said the sheriff. " was ordered
to bring them here, and I have done it,
and you won't receive them-what are
you going to do about it?"
"What are you going to do?" said in
my most dignifed manner.
"You surely wouldn't separate the
mother and child; would you? he in
quired earnestly.
"No, sir, wouldn't have nothing
to do with that. The baby does not be-
long to the State. You must take it your.
self I have nothing, to do with it."
"Whatp exclaimed the mother, "take
my baby from me! Separate me from
my child Oh, mol no no! Never new
er! I'll die first! No! no !! no!!!"
And pressing her infant to her breast
she started down the street in an agony
of fright.
The scene. had now become decidedly
interesting. The woman had beer
brought back, and was weeping anC
kissing her baby, who, now frightened
was adding by its cries to the confusion
and the sheriff was standing by helpless
and in silence awaiting the course O
events.
At last I said to him: 'I'u tell yor
how we can fix up all this. Go and see
the Governor, and if he says that shall
receive the woman and her child, viii
do it; but I certainly won't do it on this
writ. That's the only way that I car
see to settle this thing"
"Well," said he, ill-naturedly, 81 sup
pose I'll have to do it. Come on"
So the sheriff and the woman anC
child went back to the city, and saw nc
more of them that night.
Early the next morning the sheriff
made his appearance, but without his
prisoner.
"Now I've got you" he said laughing
"I saw the Governor last night, and told
| him what you said and did, and after
] considerable talk and some reflection, he
suddenly exclaimed:
"'I'n fix it! I'll pardon the womanI
And so he did; and the delighted mother
| has sent you her warmest thanks fol-
your refusal yesterday; and freely for
gives you for the great scare you gave
| her"