The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-10-07

one more story. papa But this IL
lusion was too Infinitely sweet 10 last
1t vanished as do all such happy
visions 1t was like a peep into
Heaven; but was soon brought back
TO the earth Of reality by the gruff.
bass voice Of the bailitf-this modern
cerebus, who sternly commanded me TO
follow him. AT first did not compre-
hend him; the transformation had been
so sudden. remember that i gazed
hopefully and entreatingly into the
pained face Of my advocate, but saw
nothing but sadness depicted there.
The next distinct remembrance 1
have on the subject was when / was
on the train coming TO the prison.
l was not so very unhappy then /
remember. The whirl or the train;
the ever changing scene-a panorama
OF new land and trees and flowers
filled my mind, and for the time l
was with friends, true and loyal, who
had confidence in me, and i'm the
justice OF my cause; friends who had
promised TO see my wife and babies
were cared for during my absence,
and who also promised that before a
great while my case should be pre-
senIed to the President for his con-
sideration.
l walked along bravely after leav-
ing the train. and almost free from
nervousness. / felt now that l should
be pleased TO have the thing over.
Time which seems TO most people by
far too short, seemed to me now too
long by thirteen months"
IL was In this state OF mind that l
approached the prison. now saw
the large, uninviting stone walls
which reminded me OF corral for the
herdlng OF human horses; shutting
out from the beauties OF the world
SO many OF Gods children.
Then / wondered Ey what right
any man had TO deprive another OF
his home, his family, his freedom? |
wondered why one OF Gods children
would want 10 punish another! AS
If the world were not large enough
and miserable enough for all.
by this time we had arrived ut the
door Of the prison. 1 looked about
me and above me, and could not re-
sist repeating the words OF the i'm
mortal Dante: ''He who enters here
leaves all hope behind"
BY the association of ideas /
thought how like a miniature OF the
world this really was. Was this not
hell! Was there any other? Surely
nothing could be worse than being
deprived of light JOY, sunshine,
home, family, and friends; TO be in
bondage away from all sympathy,
love, and happiness. Yes, this was
hell in reality! Nor was the sight
presented upon my entrance into the
prison calcClatedlto remove this hor-
rid impression from my mind.
l was met by hard, unsym-
pathetic looking person whose
face expressed the silent con-
tempt which no doubt filled
his heart. l glanced at him
furtively, yet none the less keenly,
TO see IL beneath that rough exterior
there might not lurk one ray or kind
ness; one atom OF charity and good
will; but found none. Time was,
perhaps, when this man had been
human; when he had had IN his COM
position some little OF the milk OF
human kindness; but that was a
thing Of the past A life times asso-
citation with the hard side
OF humanity had made him merely a
bit OF animated stone.
1t was a relief TO my unstrung
nerves when l was escorted from his
presence by one who seemed younger
and less austere. l followed him
mechanically, thinking of nothing,
but OF the injustice that had been
done me, and wondering what ex-
planation my wife would make TO my
babies at night when they asked for
papa" Then / wondered what
people were saying Of me. What l
had to expect from the world in the
future. lived twenty years in as
many seconds. / saw myself an old
man, and wondered ii my children
would ever wish TO censure me.
wondered II my fathers angel spirit
were with me now. l was all alone.
i needed some one TO help me in this
awful moment OF my life.
i was taken into a room where
there were a number Of prisoners
eating a stew or some kind from tin
pans. Their suits attracted my at
tention; but the odor OF the stew
offended my nostrils. l grew almost
FAINT i was finally aroused from my
reverie by the voice OF my guard.
He bade me sit down and cat. The
room SWAN before my eyes; a great
lump seemed TO gather in my throat.
felt no desire for food. The whole
panorama Of the past glided before
my mental vision. In fancy / saw
my broken hearted wife, and my
babies watching for my coming, and
without realizing ii, my hands
dropped TO my side, and my eyes filled
with tears i wepted. After that l
have a dim recollection Of being meas.
ured, barbered, and fitted with this
anomalous wearing apparel. Teen