Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-23
A TRUE HEART.

There is something pathetic in the life
of every man confined within prison walls,
and this pathos grows more intense when
all the free outside world is glad with the
joy that comes in the Christmas time.
Remorse must weigh heavily on conyicts
| at this time. Forgetfulness of all the past
would be boon to many of them; but
memory Is keenest then, and we do not
know with what heartaches they recall
the time when they, too, were free and
happy. The Warden of State Prison
| tells the following pathetic incident of a
| life convict:
"As | was passing out of the prison.
yard one bitterly cold Christmas morning.
just outside of the gate, and crouehing
close to the high stone wall, l saw thin
ly clad little girl of about twelve years,
her face and hands blue with cold. She
put out one of her hands to detain me as
passed. If you please, sir she said,
and stopped, lingering nervously at the
fringe of her old shawl, and TIM
idly glancing down. What is it% l
asked. We'll, if you please, sir, I'd like
to know if | can go inside and see my
my father. He's in there, and l brung
him something for Christmas. 1t amt
much, and didn'tspose you'd mind any if
he had it. His name is Mr. John Nv
81 recognized the name as that of life
convict-a man VIGOROUSLY bad. | went
back into the prison grounds, the child fol-
lowing me eagerly. Going to my Office,
sent for the convict. He came, snIlen and
detected; in his face was the look of utter
hopelessness the faces of the prisoners for
life so often wear. The child sprang for
ward to meet him, the hot tears streaming
over her white face. He stepped back,
sullen and seemingly angry No work of
welcome came from his lips for the ragged,
trembling little creature who stood CRYING
before him, with something clasped in her
hand.
"I-I-came to-say Merry Christ
mas" father she faltered. 'I-I.thought
may be you'd be glad to see me. Amt
you any glad, fatherT Christmas p
Christi What would that man not
have given for freedom of body and
soul! The convicts head dropped.
The hard look was going out of his face,
his eyes were moistening. His little
girl went on, trembling and tearfully:
II brung you something. father. 1t was
all | could think of and all could get.
live to the poor-house now' Her trem-
bling fingers began unwrapping the soft
white paper in her hand, and she held out
short, shining curl of yellow hair, care
fully tied with bit of old ribbon. Il
wouldn't give this to anybody on earth but
you, father. You used to truly love little
Johnnie-mother said you did-and So
The man fell to his knees with both
hands clasped over his face. l did love
him. he said hoarsely. love him still !;
bad as l am l love him still Il know
it, said the child, going closer; and
| knowed you'd like this, now that John
ny's dead Dead1 cried the man,
rocking to and fro, still on his knees
with his hands over his face. My little
boyp Yes said the child; he died
in the poor-house only last week, and
there's no one left bat me now, But !
| amt goin' to forgit you, father Pm goin'
to stick right by you, spite of what folks
say, and some day maybe can get you
out of here. Pm going to try. | don't
never forget that you are my father, and
| So
"He put out one arm, drew the child
toward him and kissed her again and
again. l silently left the room, and they
were alone together for half an hour. Then
the child came out smiling through her
tears. Mind she said, closing the door,
| sIll never forgit you father-never.' ~
| Youths Companion.