The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-02-16
I NUMBER EIGHTEEN.

Nov, No. IS. finish your ironing, for
] want you in the storeroom.
No. 1S did not answer me. but bent
her head assentingly AS she did so
noticed tear fall from her eyes.
was interested in this prisoner, for
she was far above the usual class of
criminals: for was at the time of which
! write second wardress of one of the
county prisons. | had noticed her SUI
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 assert
clothes in the storeroom. When she had
finished her ironing we We're 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
ping. and to my surprise threw herself
into my arms
Come this will never do; what is the
matter" | said quietly. Suppose the
governor were to come in, what should
4 do? You would get me into serious
trouble"
She, however, continued to clasp me
around the neck, giving vent to heart
breaking sobs.
lyon really must be quiet and tell me
the reason of this said, with little
asperity
a will be quiet, madam" she said.
with great effort; 81 am very miserable
and unhappy"
'Of course" answered as cheerfully
as could, "all are miserable who come
here. except the hardened ones, but you
will soon be home again. One short
month and you will be with your
friends.
But my child. madam, my dear little
boy" she sobbed, The is i'll, and if do
not see him ere then he may die. All
his cry is for his mother. and cannot,
oh, cannot get to him. What shall ]
do? My heart almost breaks to soothe
mis- pains and troubles. What shall |
do? And she laid her head on my Shout
der. with faint, despairing cry which
wrung my heart, for | had two bonnie
children at home and my heart went out
to her.
flow do you know this?" | inquired,
when her grief had subsidized.
The lame woman who came in yester-
day told me at exercise, and that my
boys only cry was for his mother"
"WeIi," 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
TO harden my heart at times"
But none can take his mothers place.
was all that she could say; then, clasp
ing me suddenly to her. she whispered
eagerly. But, if you choose, you could
nelp me-"
What do you mean% | said.
"ln this way" she said; 81 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 l
can get out if you will aid me little.
and no one shall be the wiser. want
you to post me letter only. and before
long shall be with my dear boy" clasp
ing her hands and looking intensely at
me.
Now you must put such matters ell
tirely from you. Surprising" said, to
humor her, Il do as you suggest and it
was 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
culate would bring in interest equivalent
TO 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
to receive $1,000 would you help me?
Swear it by the love You bear your
children and as you hope for their wei
fare"
oh, yes; I'll promise that" replied,
to hu1nor her. for thought she must be
little distracted with grief.
Remember. that is solemn promise"
she said, and just upon it the bell rang
10 close work, and the prisoners began
10 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
wardress in charge and go home. When
1 came to No. lSs cell | found her
calmer, and putting her arms around
me she embraced and kissed me, whis-
pering Good night, dear madam; re-
member, and God will bless you" l
passed out and left her for the night
hoping that she had forgotten her idea
Eof the letter.
As lived outside l 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.