Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1893-12-07
NUMBER EIGHTEEN,

Tess 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
hnlshed her ironing we were soon en-.
gagged at the easier task.
We were by ourselves. and had moi
been hve minutes in the room when sud
denly my charge burst into tit of sob
o'ng and to my surprise threw herself
into my arms.
Come, this will never do what is the
natter | said quietly Suppose the
governor were 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
asperity
Il will be quiet, madam" she said
with great effort; Il am very miserable
and unhappy"
"Of course" answered as cheerfully
as | could, "all are miserable who come
mere 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. "he is i'll and 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! My heart almost breaks to soothe
his pains and troubles What shall
do?' And she laid her head on my shoul.
der with Il faint, despairing cry which
wrung my heart, for | had two bonnie
children at home aud 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 at exercise, and that my
boys only cry WAS tor his mother"
well, | replies, your friends will
take care OF him and a month will soon
pass tlke courage And | kissed her
for was Il woman, If wardress and apt
70 harden my heart AT times.
But none can take his mother 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-.
What do you mean"' ! said
'ln this way she SAID. II want to be
at home IN three or four days
Nonsense replied, 'yon are losing
your wits. get on with your work"
She obeyed. but continued Fl know |
can get ont If you will aid me II little
and no one shall be the wiser | want
you TO post me a 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-.
tirely from you Supposing said. to
humor her, 81 do as you suggest and 1t
was found out, the consequences would
be 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.
culate would 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 III you were
TO receive el 600 would you help me;
Swear II by the love you bear your
children and as You hope for their wei.
fare.
oh yes. I'll promise that" replied
to humor her. for thought she must be
a 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
10 troop TO their cells.
At the end Of another hour my duty
would be 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 ls's cell | found her
calmer aud putting her arms around
me she embraced and kissed me, whis-
pering 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
Of the letter
As lived outside ! soon put on my
hat and cloak, which covered my prison
uniform. and left for the night, and was
soon at home with my children.
Judge Of my astonishment. after tax.
ing of my cloak. when put my hand
into my dress pocket to find an un.
stamped letter. which No IL had evi.
IDENTIFY slipped there before ! left her
cell
II was addressed 10 a city fifteen miles
away. and my fret thought was 10 de-
stroy 1t and | held II In my hand over
the fire. bu, my heart gave leap "a I
thought Of her child. and. looking across
the room. saw my own dear boy with
his curly bead bent over his slate. and
my hand stated will not burn IL. /
thought will wait until morning and
think what mnst do for the right. % I
laid IL on the uiantelpiece
After we hal had tea ! left my little
girl Of twelve to clear away things while
/ vent out 10 buy eatAbles for the nezt
day was away about an hour. and on
returning my daughter greeted me with
Mamma, bought Q stamp and posted