Daily Republican., 1889-04-04

ROMANCE OF A CONVICT.

ROMANCE OF A CONVICT.
In one of his happy, storytelling mo-
nents last summer, at Bedford, ex-
Governor Andrew q. Curtin, referring
10 the pardoning power pos essed by him
during his term of office, aud how
earnestly he endeav0red To exerc 80 IL
with Justice and impart'alIly, related
that upon one occasion he Was making
journey by rail, and stopped oil at Ger.
tain place which he would not name,
but where, he said, one OF the State
was located, to personally
In lerview one OF the prisoners who was
an applicant for pardon, Ms he could not
make up his mind from the papers pre-
sen cd 10 him whether the convict was
worthy OF pardon.
he visited tue penitcntiary aud asked
the warden to admit him to the cell OF
the prisoner without Informing tue prjs-
on,r who he was. This was done, and
the Governor Ia KIDD TO the man, who.
not kno Ning his v.si or, soon let the
ovelno See that he was guilty and 10
10 manner deserving of pardon, but
trusted TO the influence OF his friends TO
yet him out.
The Governor, Of course, was disturb
ed, aud explained To the man that he
was Governor Curtin and that he had
satisfied himself that the prisoner was
b, tier iu prison than out OF it, and left
tim anything but pleasant state OF
mind. As he WAS leaving the prison to
take his train ole oil the wardens said:
Governor, we have mau here who IL
an unusually good prisoner aud splen.
did workman. lie has been here ior
some time but his term is not nearly COM
pie I'd. lie seems to have no irit nds but
he 10 TOO good a man to he in prison,
VIII you see him mad talk 70 himi''
The Governor had but a short time In
VIII CHI TO get TO his train, but something
seemed 10 call uGon him to make th,
visit, and he consented.
As In the previous case, he went Int {
the cell without letting the occupant
know who he was. The man was fine
looking fellow OF about twenty-five year
and alter little conversation he explain
ed that he was in for burglary; That b,
had been very young when tn crime wa
committed, aud that while he had beer
brought up at home he had drilted int
bad company and was led into this trou
ble by men older than himself lie tolt
OF the crime, and the Governor believed
him.
"If you have such good case as yor
say you have, hyoung man, why do yol
not have your friends ask the Governor
for pardon?" he asked him.
"Sir," he rep led, with tears in hi
eyes, "i had but one friend-my mothet
and this trouble Of mine has killed her
she is deal"
The Governor was deeply affected, and
inquired of him about his work in the
prison, and what he wo uld do II heshould
be set free.
ait is useless for me to think of getting
out OF this. L have no friends" he said.
but II | were out would work at INV
trade. have made myself an excellent
workman-have learned ny trade here
and IL l were out where could work for
myself, would make my way and live
au upright and industrious lite. Yet II
is hopeless. have 10 money even to
buy clothes, when should put oil this
striped uniform"
"Young man." said the Governor, "you
are iree--l will pardon you-and 1 shall
sea that you get clothes"
The young man was overcome and
could not believe his good fortune, aid
did not until the Governor few dayt
later sent his pardon and SIS suit Of
clothes which he paid Tor hlm,eIf.
The Governor lost track of the man
alter that for II long time, being worried
and harrassed by State affairs, for 1t wat
during the war, but finally his health be.
came poor and physicians ordered him tc
Cuba. A gunboat was sent to Philadel.
phia to take him on his journey. The
Governors friends tried to dissuade hin
from such dangerous trip. His capture
by the rebels was feared, but he went to
Philadelphia, and the night before he
sailed he slept in the Continental Hotel.
Great crowds came to see him and Say
farewell, and even SO late as that tried tC
persuade him to remain at home. HI
sailed, however, and upon his return
some time later, tie first person to gree
him on the dock, with tears In his eyes
was the ex-prisoner, who welcomed hiu
home most earnestly.
why, my young man." inquired thu
Governor, "how do you come to be here
What are you doingP
He then told him that he was a pros
porous business man; that he worked a
his trade after he left the prison until HI
had become foreman of a large establish
Lltul III uliautipnld, anu luht uc HhN
saved money and was we'll of; that h,
had been most anxious about the Cover
nor, and when he was going away on tn
EuIboat felt that he might lose his onl.
friend before he could tell him how b
had kept his word; that he had watche'
on the mat In front of the door all til
night previous to the Governors depar
ture, and had even tried to go on tn
gunboat to be near him and help protec
him In case of trouble.
The Governor was much pleased natu
rally, and after that, whenever he wen
to Philadelphia, his ex-convict friend a
ways called upon him, and they becam
quite intimate. Upon one Of the Cover
nor's subsequent visits to PHILADELPHIA
the man invited him to come 10 his hous
and see his wife.
"Wifep shouted Gov. Curtin. "Sto
there! Before 70, young man, tell mt
have you married some young woman an
deceived her as to your pastf If so, gu
acquaintance ends here"
But he had not deceived her. Hei ha
told her all. The Governor, much pleased
went to his house and met his wife
lovely woman, too, he said, and yer
happy. They lived In fine brown stou
house, and had carriages and horses, an
Everything money could buy. He the