The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-14

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 Gay. madam" and the
warden followed her 20 the door. he
watched her for q moment and then
turned away.
"A fine woman. Davis" he said.
YES. sir" replied the bookkeeper.
without looking up
The next day q bird and a birdcacc
arrived at the prison labeled: For
Gentleman George" The warden gazed
at il with amazemcnt. "A little mite
OF a canary" he said. How like
woman. Wen, thank goodness she
didn't send tracts"
Armed with the bird cage. he made
his way 10 the hospital and approached
the couch where Gentleman George
lay. He was sleeping, aid for l few
moments the warden surveyed the
PROSTATE figure intently. The face
was hard and worn. and was marked
by disagreeable expression of cynic-
Ism; here was person whose nature
was absolutely perverted; To whom
sympathy was q stranger, and who
wished for no friend or ministering
hand TO be- laid upon his brow, even u
the final moment That stubborn in
difference 10 everything human had
been deeply engraven 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 its new sur
roundingS. Then gradually it became
reassured and tipped its head in i pert
inquiring manner, cogitatiug upon
what ii saw. y number OF figures were
extended on the couches. some moving
restlessly in pain. Then the bird APP
parently became tired of the prolonged
silence, and uttered dismal sort Of a
chirp after which, encouraged 10y the
sound of its own voice, it gave utter
ance to a musical cadenza, and then
began TO trill and carol After time.
the man awoke and opened his eyes
A flood of delicious melody greeted has
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
~ asked The doctor.
"A friend sent it, was the reply.
Bah. / have no friendsr'
When the bird was removed-its per-
sistent vocal demonstration proving an
moving 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 awoxe in the morning
it greeted him with a pleasing sere-
made. 1t also was prisoner; the bars
of its cage were not so large as those
of his cell, nut 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 inn
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
. J.
chirp and then began a gay allegro
movement Of Il birds sonata. One day
upon coming from supper 10 his cell lie
took from his pocket a lump of sugar
and placed il between the wires of the
cage. The bird had feast. and when
it had devourcd the sugar began to
sing, as though to pay for this delicate
attention. This was the first indication
that tie man Ina any feeling About
a week later this vas again demonstrate
ed. He opened the door of the cage
and permitted the bird 10 fly out.
You may have your liberty nc said
He expected that it would ar through
the open window. but, instead, 1t hut-
tered AROUND the hall for few mo-
meuts and then returned 10 the cage
After that he released the bird every
day and it always came back. IL 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 lac amused himself
with it and taught il many tricks.
One Sunday he heard a woman's
voice in the chapel Her tones we're
soft and sweet. and. moreover. she was
singing a simple religious selection,
which was associa ted with the past
How many times had he heard it in the
little village church IN England II
was favorite hymn OF his.
and well he renemb ered the
pretty village maiden, Carrie Waters,
whose checks were red as roses, and
who was the delight Of ali The lads
when she lifted her voice in inc little
chapel. Then the pleasant walks home!
How the boys fingered around the
chapel door 70 see her to the gate Of
the cottage where she lived. the charm
ing house overrsn with w. around
whose windows clam bered the roses,
And ne, too had been one Of those " no
waited a. the gate and walked with
the young gi-L And il had CHANGED
that one moonlight might a. they
strolled down the lane, with the stars
ovcrbes6. and tie fragrance q "a.
flowers IN the ar. that he Lad whis-
pered 7is tale u passion IN her wiling
ear she was young ard thourhiieas
and. after they had exchanged ross.
playea fast and loose with him Of
course they ouzrreled. and thea the
pretty maid became engaged u