Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-28
NUMBER EIGHTEEN.

Now. No Is. finish your ironing, for
J want you in the storeroom.
No. Is did not answer me. but bent
hsr head assentingly. As she did so
noticed tear fall from her eyes.
4 was interested in this prisoner, for
she was far above the usual class of
Ecriminals; for was at the time of which
q write second wardress of one of the
county prisons. | had noticed her sn-
periority to her fellow inmates. con-
Tess that had made her lot easier in a
good many ways, so on this particular
occasion | needed her help to assort
clothes in the storeroom. When she had
finished her ironing we were soon en-
gagged at the easier task
We were by ourselves, and had not
been five minutes in the room when sud-
denly my charge burst into fit of sob
hing. and to my surprise threw herself
into my arms.
'sCome, this will never do; what is the
matter?'' said quietly. Suppose the
governor were to come in, what should
= do2 You would get me into serious
trouble.
She, however, continued to clasp me
=s=ssss:;sa around the the neck giving vent TO heart
hreaking sobs
"You really must be quiet and tell me
fh8 reason of this" said. with a little
asperity
81 viii be quiet, madam" she said,
with great effort; II am very miserable
and unhappy"
'sOf course" answered as cheerfully
as could, 'sall are miserable who come
here, except the hardened ones, but you
VIII Vii ssoeI be be hheme again again One short
mnnth and you will be with your
friends"
But my child, madam, my dear little
boy" she sobbed, ''he is i'll. and if | do
not see him ere then he may die. All
ihis cry is for his mother. and | cannot,
soh, 1 cannot get to him. What shall
sdo? My heart almost breaks to soothe
lhis pains and troubles What shall
dor And she laid her head on my shoul-
der. with faint, despairing cry which
iwfung my heart, for had two bonnie
children at home and my heart went out
no her.
'.How do you know this?" inquired
when her grief had subsided
The lame woman who came in yester-
day told me at exercise, and that my
boys only cry was for his mother"
We'll replied. your friends will
take care of him. and a month will soon
pass; take courage" And kissed her,
for was woman, if a wardress, and apt
no harden my heart at times"
But none can take his mothers place,
was all that she could say; then, clasp
5ng me suddenly to her. she whispered
eagerly. But if you choose, you could
help me"
"What do you mean?" said.
I'm this way" she said; II want to be
at home in three or four days"
Nonsense" replied; you are losing
your wits; get on with your work
She obeyed, but continued: Il know
can get out if you will aid me little
and no one shall be the wiser. | want
lyou to post me a letter only, and before
hong shall be with my dear boy" clasp
dng her hands and looking intensely at
zne
Now you must put such matters en-
:tirely from you. Supposing, | said, to
humor her. II do as you suggest and it
Swas found out; the consequences would
be should lose my pension. which is
only a few years off, and | have two
.children to think of and am widow"
She was quiet at this for time and
did her work in a random way; then
Suddenly:
What amount of money do you cal
4rulate would bring in interest equivalent
60 your pension?"
"A thousand pounds" said, smiling
and believing that it would put such
thoughts away from her mind
She dropped the clothing she held and
seized my hands firmly. "If you were
no receive $1,000 would you help me?
Swear it by the love you bear your
children and as you hope for their well
fare"
.-Oh, yes; I'll promise that" replied
TO humor her. for thought shesmust be
a little distracted with grief.
Remember. that is solemn promise, :"
ishe said, and just upon it the bell rang
TO close work, and the prisoners began
TO troop to their cells
At the end of another hour my duty
would be over for the night, and after
seeing all the inmates of the cells
should transfer my keys to the night
swardress in charge and go home When
q came TO No. 18's cell | found her
lcalmer. and putting her arms around
zae she embraced and kissed me, whis-
pering. Good night, dear madam; re-
anember, and God will bless you" /
passed out and left her for the night,
lhoping that she had forgotten her idea
of the letter.
As lived outside | soon put on my
hat and cloak, which covered my prison
uniform, and left for the night, and was
soon at home with my children
Judge of my astonishment, after TAX
ing off my cloak, when put my hand
into my dress pocket, to find an un-
stamped letter, which No. IS had evil
IDENTIFY slipped there before left her
cell.
IT was addressed to city fifteen miles
away, and my first thought was to de-
sfroy it and 1 held it in my hand over
the fire, but my heart gave a leap as
thought of her child, and, looking across
the room, saw my own dear boy with
ms cnrly head bent over his slate, and
my hand stated. ! win not burn it,