New-York tribune., 1884-10-05

WI" HcBio, uHu touiu NV o'' '''
| childrens' faces, for that unhapy black one.
"'Taint no use he said to himself. as he passed
his hand his face to brush aside the tears that
obscured his vision and then turned suddenly to
Dennis with grave
"What's it. sir"
Il want to send word. or n letter to ONeal. His
wife had baby last night"
"A babby. Lord Lord :" and Browns face al
ternated between the broadcst of smiles and perfect
gravity. "a ba.soy WAL wal. it 'ud have been
better ci they had both on 'em died found it in
my heart ter wish it for her. she lay on the floor
80 still like! An now babbyl Is 1t n cunning
little clap I'd like ter see it, Pore little devil
How they comes the little innocents jest a liyin
when it arn't nothing but trouble aforc them"
From interest to pity and back again to interest,
Brown kept up a stream of comments until Dennis
asked:
:" How can letter reach the man :"
Reach him pore niger. can't tell, sir as how
letter nd reach him. It's all at the mercy % his
keepers. an that man amt lyn' has found any
mercy in convict guard"
He told Dennis the convict had been shipped off
to the southern part of the State. where Mr.. Eans
son-in-law was working large coal mine.
Why, sir. them pore devils is treated worse nor
any dogs. Their workin' hours is 80 long. their
witals pore and that they dies of quicker
nor folks in cholera time Three years is counted a
life sentence. An mighty few on 'em don't lasts
two o that style o life As fer that camp, it's
about the wust in the State. An the head keeper Is
a reglar brute, strong and fierce tiger. They'll
only take sech brues fer guards ter the pore devils
An when we reads o them n hayin risn' an
KILN of keeper or two, Jest wonders how many
o their fclers them has seed killed afore they
strikes up. sperrlt enough ter hit back. amt no
friend ter insurrcction bcin's officer % the law.
and Brown drew himself up suddenly recalled to
the fact that he had been talking against law and
order But" and hc gave look around to be sure
no one near. but. deed, sir an pics more'n
blaines the wrctches ef am an officer o. fifty
laws"
"Thcrc amt no letters allowed them conwics (;
an its fact ef it was given ter human ingenuity
ter conceive place more cvcrastin' horrible than
them convict camps. they'd fail. sir, they'd fail
doesn't b'lieyc." hc looked over his shoulder and
then Whispered " ! wouldn't like my ole woman TO
hear this, or she'd be gctln' mp cvcrla7tin' prayer
mcctin's fer my soul bat doesn't b'llcye any he'll
is ~ bad ns one . those convict camps down here in
Georgia"
Brown gave another timid look around as if fear
ful that the uttered hercsy would bring his wife
bodily before HIM. But finding there was no living
ccfaturc nearer than The two negroes rakng MP the
fallen leaves he Strengthened himself and gave fat
littc lauth. ~ If to say. Who's afcarI p
" Is there no chance of getting pardon for man
50 uuustly condemned
"Chlncc % pardon Tho only pardon he'll get
II hc when death comos q tnppn at the windy. an
SAYS. Com c'long now you'Ao FREQ " yer was u
iich man nh good Bourbon Democrat. yrt'd be-
more ltclyicf get IT, Politics In politics and money
goes u long way IN all poch matcr1 Bat na fer yon,
4
bagpcr"
brown said this withn twinkle in hi, eyes. aud Il
comical uprai,ng OF the shaggy eyebrows. I" "Ihars
no chance Ter yer TO do nothin'. The politicians
hate, yer and its only the politicians serves their
country in times % peace. The other fcllcIs amt
got the time or the money ter secure the posts -
honor. jest now yer don't represent nuthln', but
vOu',e a sticlin in their crops fer all that They
hates yOu mOren they hates the niger, II was
only yesterday arter court hours an the Judge says
ter me- Brown, ef yer'll get that damned carpet
Dagger i'm the prisoners dock I'll give yer twenty,
an send him ter keep company with the niggcIs he
likes 50 well But sir and Brown, took of his hat.
slowly shaking his head. " I'm ateard them little
mouths nd hcv ter 20 hungry long time afore I'd
do that"
The old fellow looked both kindly and honest,
and Denniss left hand went out. impulslvey grasp
bowed and said Much obleeged. sir much
obleeged" in a manner half comlcai, half serious.
He was moved for presently the back of his hand
gave quick wipe to his eyes which, not relieving
him, he drew ont gay handkerchief ani performed
some vigorous blasts upon his prominent nose
one more question: Dennis said. " w hat is the
name of the convict camp where ONeal was sent
And the name OF the head guard l.
The camp il OsmerIllO. the name of the mine.
The captain OF the guard IS called Hilton, and a
reg lar brute he is
" th thanks and good morning." Dennis was
turning away. when Browns hand caught his arm.
ST MIR Day has taken that fancy ter your
face and ways. ! knows gentleman. sir when !
sees him. knows trash too. even ef the trash IS a
ledge Id like yer ter sec my young uns. Come
down some AFTERNOON an give us call My house
is Jest out o town on the turnpike. an my ole
woman II be glad ter see yer. only sence last re-
viva she says pleasures SIN, an larfng's folly"
Here Browns little fat laugh gave his eyes an
extra twinkle. and kent his stout body shaking in
such Jolly manner that Dennis laughed III SYM
pathy ~ he accepted the invitation. and promising
TO call soon went back to his home-a home sad
dened by the piteous meanings of the sick woman
tossing Oh her bed OF pain.