The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-13
SELF-DENIAL.
a Convict Father Who Died to
His Children.

k1iH 0Ll4IAl04L
During tho latter part 81 May 81 this
year lisp2l, WIS the guest Of friends
III TIE city II The home was 10
pleasant and the surroundings 80 ut
trnctiyc that We forgot the perpetual
drizzling rain that babe US stay In
doors. Through the wide front win
dows we looked across 4 narrow street
20 the beautiful park, where the snow
balls and lilaca were ID bloom. Our
conversation was interrupted BY q
messenger who came In haste to call
away my host. who is physician. The
face of my hostess, which had been full
oflife and animation, suddenly changed
and look Of sadness was plainly Wis
iblc. II was the hrst time had ever
seen her thus. and my eyes must have
asked question which my lips were
too courteous to utter. Some persons
IRE skilled IN reading between the
lines aud others are possessed Of o
richer rover Of knowing what friend
wants 10 ask. and answering II fully,
when yon have not uttered word.
n was thinking, she said, .sof the
many who are denied the pleasures of
life, The thousands who cannot even SEQ
pictures 81 IL, much less visit the great
worlds fair. Your profession calls ron
to consider the condition Of the sick
and the poor, but have you considered
the world Of sorrow that Is within the
solid walls Of the prison2''
was wondering at tho sudden
change that had taken place IN her
manner wondering how she happened
to get on this theme. II must have
been because 81 the errand On which
her husband had gone forth.
Yes ] replied, as IL realizing that
ing part Of sthe conversation could not
be conducted simply BY thinking 'and
] am glad that You have introduced the
subject since ! have heard that you
have for years taken deep interest lii
the unfortunate. But pray tell me how
ron get 50 readily from the worlds fair
% the Bridewell and Sing Sing. Z
.0l readily enough have thought
ont but have not uttered the connecting
links Yon have been adniring the
park. The flowers do not bloom for the
convicts, The lawn Is not dressed for
them The fair Is not held for them.
They are dead to all the world out
side their gloomy prison homes. and
even sometimes dead 10 their loved
ones here.
had often seen my friend at table
presiding gracefully. III the social world
where her power was acknowledged,
IN the house Of devotion where the
trembling prayer was uttered. but
never had seen her whole soul looking
ont through her features as now. May
tell you Of case that has deeply In
tcrested mc2" she continued, and with.
out waiting for reply recited to me
substantially the following story Of 1
ccnvict's self denial:
Mr.. was man Of ardent nature.
He was happily married and became
the father 81 two children. The dauQh.
ters had grown in strength and beauty,
and M prettier sight was witnessed
than In the evenings when his wife and
little childrcn sat with him on the door.
Etcp, or walked along the smooth path,
Ways In the park. The wife and
mother sickened and died. Some time
after her death the father had diff
Guilty with . man who had Iii some way
offended him. Whose the fault was
don6t know. but Ia d hasty moment III
raised his hand and struck cruel blow
that fcllcd his brother to the ground
and blighted all his own hopes for life
he victim was borne to the hospital
where, after few hours suffering. he
died and the assailant was held fol
mansiaughtcr. Much sympathy wal
expressed for him, and for time 4
seemed lis though he would be released
But when thu trial came he was con
rictcd and sentenced to Imprisonment
ior twenty years. The sentence may
hnrcEbcsn just, but sometimes Justice
Y tRsrihle. The little children, aged
I'VE and three and cneshalf years. found
4 homo IA our society.
icu never saw such children Except
81 course. your OWN. The oldest rs.
scnlblgsi the father. Dark. piercing
eyes. and hair that would not be out.
rEyalesE N It's glossy blaclsness by the
rssvenS wing The younger nustlhaye
m caenibled her mother She was 4 per.
feet blonde, with curling hair ana wen.
shaped nose, and pouting lips that
seemed h be dewy with mothers
kiss; merry dimples were about her
mouth. as though q laugh had been ii.
corrupted and fingered there, ready IL
break forth again. Her forehead wa
never cquaied by the finest marble
mosAel that came from human soul ani
haiAd- Her deep blue eyes spoke forth
world u pleading tenderness /,
Though asking for something to taks
the place n her soul 81 mothers love
Every one that saw this child wantes
her So like my babe IA heaven.
saldXthe fond mother who had been be
reft
led To zee the father Tor the las
tme He was TO Do taken to his priso
thc following day. Heaeemed ID gugS
ny mission. Il was : cruel on6. x