The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-06-09

"What do you mean"'
81 mean that now he is in the hos
pital. He has consumption, and will
not live long"
"Poor fellow" she remarked. Then
she arose. ~ thank you," she added,
simply.
st Is to you we are indebted,
madam. l am no rapid advocate OF
prison reform, but I believe we would
be immensely assisted in our work of
making good citizens out of our Grim
inals If the public showed that the pris-
oners behind the bars were not alto
gether forgotten and shut out from the
world. Good day, madam" and the
warden followed her to the door. He
watched her for a moment and then
turned away
"a fine woman, Davis" he said.
"Yes, SIR" replied the bool1keeper,
without looking up.
The next day bird and a Sirdcagc
arrived at the prison labeled: "For
Gentleman George" The warden gazed
at it with amazement. "a little mite
of canary" he said. "How like
woman. Well, thank goodness she
didn't send tracts"
Armed with the bird cage, he made
his way to the hospital and approached
the couch where Gentleman George
lay, He was sleeping, and for few
moments the warden surveyed the
PROSTATE figure intently. The face
was hard and worn, and was marked
L, ! t. h oUNraccinn Of
ism; here was person whose nature
was absolutely perverted; to whom
sympathy was stranger, and who
wished fop no friend or ministering
hand to be laid upon his brow, even at
the final moment. That stubborn in
difference to everything human had
been deeply engrayep on his nature by
years of false living. There would be
no weakening at the last, and he would
pass away with hatred for the world
and the people in it. The warden
hung the cage at the foot of the bed
and then took his departure. For
few moments the bird hoped around
as though frightened by it's new sur
roundings. Then gradually it became
reassured and tipped its head in pert
inquiring manner, cogitating upon
what it saw. A number of figures were
extended on the couches some moving
restlessly in pain. Then the bird ap-
parently BECAME tired of the prolonged
silence, and uttered q dismal sort of IL
chirp, after which, encouraged by the
sound of it's own voice, it gave utter
ance to musical cadenZa, and then
began to trill and carol After time,
the man awol1e and opened his eyes.
A flood of delicious melody greeted his
senses. He stared stupidity at the
cage, and then closed his eyes again.
1t was like springtime in the woods,
with the bright sunshine shifting
through the foliage.
"Where'd that come from?" he final
ly asked the doctor.
ga friend sent it," was the reply.
HBah, have no friends!"
When the bird was removed-its per.
sistent vocal demonstration proving an
noying to the other patients-he seemed
to be unusually thoughtful. After a
week he had recovered sufficiently to
be discharged from the hospital, and
he resumed his work with the same in
difference. The bird was now hung up
in his cell. Gradually he seemed to
take slight interest In the little crea-
ture. When he awoke In the morning
it greeted him with a pleasing sere-
made. It also was aprisoner; the bars
of its cage were not so large as those
of his cell, but they answered the same
purpose. Without realizing what he
was doing the man studied the bird
with deep interest. Its mood was
always the same; it was as
happy as the day was long; prison
! walls could not rob it of its spirit; it
seemed to swell with pleasure as it i'm
provised some sweet melody, More
over, he fancied that it knew him and
was pleased when he returned from
labor to his cell At any rate, on such
occasions it always greeted him with a
chirp and then began a gay allegro
movement of birds sonata. One day
upon coming from supper to his cell he
took from his pocket lump of sugar
and placed it between the wires of the
cage. The bird had a feast, and when
1t had devoured the sugar began to
sing, as though to pay for this delicate
attention. This was the first indication
that the man had any feeling. About
week later this was again demonstrat-
ed. He opened the door of the cage
and permitted the bird to fly out
"You may have your liberty" he said
He expected that it would fly through
the open window, but, instead, it tlut-
tered around the hall for a few mo-
ments and then returned to the cage.
After that he released the bird every
day and 1t always came back. 1t be-
came quite tame and would perch
upon his shoulder when he entered the
cell with the lump of sugar For hours
when not working lie amused himself
with it and taught il many tricks
One Sunday he heard woman's
voice in the chapel. Her tones were
soft and sweet, and, moreover, she was
singing a simple religious selection,
which was associated with the past
How many times had he heard it in the
little village church in England. 1t
was a fayorite hymn of his,
and we'll he remembered the
pretty village maiden, Carrie Waters,
whose cheeks were red as roses, and
who was the delight of all the lads
when she lifted her voice in the little
chapel, Then the pleasant walks home!
How the boys fingered around the
chapel door to see her to the gate of
the cottage where she lived, the charm
ing house oVerran with ivy, around
whose windows clambered the roses!
And he, too, had been one of those who