Arizona republican., 1892-04-03
NUMBER EIGHTEEN.

uOUceu tear Illi from ner eyes.
was interested iii this prisoner, fol
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 su.
periority to her fellow inmates con.
fess 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 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
b,ng and to my surprise threw herself
INTO my arms.
Come, this will never do what is the
matter" | said quietly. Suppose the
governor We're to come in. what should
do? You would get me into serious
trouble.
She, however, continued To clasp me
around the neck, giving vent to heart
breaking sobs.
"You really must be quiet and tell me
the reason of this" | said, with little
aspenty
n will be quiet, madam" she said
with great effort; Il am very miserable
aud 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, aud 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: Ny heart almost breaks to soothe
his pains and troubles What shall
do And she laid her head on my shout
der with a faint. despair-ing cry which
wrunS my heart, for | had two bonnie
children at home and my heart went out
To her
How do you know this?" ! inquired.
when her grief had subsidized
The lame woman who came in yester-
day told me ut exercise, and that my
boys Only cry WAS for mis- mother.
Well | replied your friends will
take care of INN and month will soon
pass tIke courage And kissed her,
for was woman, If Il wardress, and apt
20 harden my heart AT times"
But none can take ms 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.
W hat do YOU meany' ! said.
In this way she said; II want to be
al hOme IN three or four days"
Nonsense | replied. won are losing
your wits. get ON WITH your work"
She Oheyed but continued. II know
can get ont If you will aid Inc 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 en-
tlrely from you Surprising" said, to
humor her II do Us you suggest and it
was found OFT, the consequences would
tie should lose my pension. which is
only 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 random way; then
suddenly
What amount of money do you cal
cnlate wOnld 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. "lf you were
to receive 81 900 would you help me?
Swear 1t by the love you bear your
children and as you hope for their well
fare"
oh, yes, III promise that" replied,
to humor her, for | thought she must be
Il little distracted with grief
Remember, that is a solemn promise,
she 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 he 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
came to No lSs cell found her
calmer, and putting her arms around
me she embraced and kissed me, whis-
per1ng. Good night, dear madam; re-
member, and God will bless YOU"
passed out and left her for the night,
hoping that she had forgotten her idea
ui the letter
AS lived outside | soon put ON my
hat ana cloak. which covered my prison
uniform, and left for the night, and was
soon at home with my children.
Judge OF my establishment, after TAX
ing off my cloak, when put my hand
into my dress pocket, to find an I'M
stamped letter, which No. Is had evil
IDENTIFY slipped there before ! left her
cell
II was addressed to city fifteen miles
away, and my first thought was to de-
struy it aud | held it in my hand over
the fire, but my heart gave leap as
hought Of her child, and, looking across
he room, saw my own dear boy with !
'is curly head bent over his slate, and
py hand stated. will not burn it,
thought. will wait until morning and
think what must do for the right; SO
laid il on the mantelpiece.
After we had had tea left my little !
irl of twelve to clear away things while
i went out TO buy eatables for the next |
day. was away about an hour. and on
~, Z.