The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-02-29

him what he knew of the woman. He
knew nothing at all, only that she was the
finest sewer, the cleanest with her work,
the most punctual and the most reliable of
all the people that came under his ObServa-
ton. then told him. the next time the wo-
man should come to the store late in the day,
to bring her to me in my private Office.
ION the very next day she came and l
sat alone with her in my Sanctum. She re.
minded me, as she there sat. OF my mother.
She did not resemble my mother in features.
but there was indescribable grace in her
pose, in her movements, and when she spoke
her clear. sad eyes took on the same
bright intelligent expression.
Il addressed her in a frank and kindly
manner, seeking first to place her at her
ease. and then to win her respect and her
confidence. Her respect soon found was
already mine. l told her how she had at
tracted my attention, and how she had
interested me; and then asked her if she
was willing to trust me with such portions
of her life story as it was fitting l should
know; and closed the paragraph in these
words: Said |, If you could know how
much you remind me Of my own dear
mother, l am sure you would trust me-
''Ah me! What an effect my words pro-
| duced! The woman bent her head upon
her hands and wept as think had never
seen a person weep before. Her frame
| shook; her sObs seemed to rend her very
soul; and the tears flowed in streams. l
did not interpOse. BY and by she conquered
| the emotion and sought to leave me; but
succeeded in quieting her, and in convinc-
ing her that her paroxysm had not a all dis
| turbed me; and at length, when she had
seemed to feel in her heart that she had in
deed found a friend. she told me the story
had asked for.
''Her father had been clergyman in the
state of Maine, where she was born. Her
mother had been the daughter of one of the
| most eminent juriSts our country ever pro-
duced. His name was as familiar to me as
household word. She had married, at
quite an early age, with young lawyer,
| who's acquaintance she had made while at
school. He had resided in the town. and
boarded at the same house with herself.
| Her mother had died when she was only
| twelve years of age. which, she said, ac-
counted for her having been sent away to a
boarding school.
''She had been married but little more
than year when her father died, leaving
her property from which she realized about
ten thousand dollars. AS soon as the first
pangs of grief had subsided her husband
broached for the second time the subject Of
removing to Boston, where, he said, he had
an opportunity to purchase half interest
in a business worth twenty thousand year
| to two of them. A partner wished to sell
out Oh account of failing health. She op-
posed, and he insisted, and he conquered.
$50 to Boston they came; and in time the
evil which she had dreaded befell her. Her
husband. intensely social and convivial in
his habits. took to drink. He did not fall
at once; but he had spasms of drink, if I
may call it so. At length, however, at the
end of ten years from the date of their ar
rival in Boston, he died in a drunken fit,
leaving her, with one child-a boy-in his
eleventh year. When she had put away
the mortal remains of her husband, she
found herself. with her child, occupying
two rooms, in a respectable part of the city,
| for which rent had not been paid for a
month.
''But will not take time to tell more of
| those times. Suffice it to say, she was
brave, and was blessed with fair health,
and she struggled. She educated her boy
at home, and he helped her all he could.
His education was geod. He was naturally
! quick and retentive, and eager to learn.
She had named him Henry. One day,
after he had entered his fifteenth year, the
boy came home with the glad intelligence
| that he had found place in all auction
store. where he could have good pay. He
had been. for year and more, working in a
| large wholesale establishment, almost with
out pay. He entered the new place. and
there did well; and there he remained, until
| better offer, from another quarter, led him