Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-01-16
BEHIND THE BARS.


Of Naragansett Bay, nearly twelve
years ago, n bright May morning, q
beautiful young girl bedecked with a
bridal veil, crowned with orange bios
SONS, placed her hand where her heart
had already been given, into the keep
ing of the man who had sought her
love, and who now promises before
"God and the witnesses" to love, cher
ish and protect until separated by
death.
She was the fathers pride, the
mothers companion and joy, and it
seemed to them that the sunlight of
happiness went out of the house when
Vienna left them to brighten the home
of another. Still they felt it to be
selfish on their part to deny her her
chosen companion and 80 bring a cloud
owe her hitherto happy life. Harry
was considered q worthy young man, a
man of some means, having a good
trade.
Alas, they did not know what Vienna
did; that Harry now and then drank a
glass of beer, or a glass Of wine. "Only
as a social compliment" he told her;
besides, he could leave it off whenever
he chose to. She felt sure that he
would. There was no use mention
ing this to papa or mama for them to
worry about" Thus argued the girl
with her own conscience, for in her
heart of hearts she knew she was tread
ing on dangerous ground.
Now the greatest wall Of bitterness
looms up between her and her Harry,
seemingly with a placard set on top of
1t, on which is placed, "Only q social
compliment"
where IS he nowy" you ask. Serv-
ing a term in Cranston, behind the
bars for wife beating. No mahogany
bars or decorated saloons, or gilded
specimens of art, no clinking of glasses
a lend their charms to him, but,
on the contrary, must add to his re-
morse as he listens to the sounds Of
the step tread, the clang of the great
iron doors and the grating of the iron
locks; and as he a only look upon the
cold stone walls, instead of the blue
arch Of the heavens, what must be his
thoughtsp
Can it be that thoughts of the dear
prattlers, whom he has left to the
mercy of cold charity, ever come into
his dreamsp or does the bride of twelve
years ago, in her purity and innocence,
ever stand by his side in the prison
cell2
One night, fearing he might get bail
and come out, she became 30 nervous
ly excited that at ten O'Clock the half
crazed little woman with her three
children applied to the police station
for lodgings, or, in other words, pro-
lection from fears which the kind
hearted sergeant assured her were
groundless, and urged her to 60 back
to the miserable abode she called
home" For shame, that the sacred
name of home" should be 30 desc
Grated. But the almost frantic woman
could not be Quoted, and the matron
offered to "lend a hand" the sergeant
consented, and soon the quartet were
safely and comfortably sheltered for
the night.
As one after another of the little
tots" were unrobed, they knelt down
by mammals knee and lisped the "Now
lay me down." The eldest, a little
blonde beauty of eight summers, re-
peated the Lords Prayer and added
"God bless mamma and God bless pa
pa, and make him a good papa &C
mama won't cry so much"
As she left the station with hel
birdlings to return to her beggarly
nest, she turned to the matron with
tears and said: God bless you.
have not had such q comfortable bed il
the last ten years; never since my
husband sold off all my things-but il
he would only be kind to u.s." Herr
she broke down completely, and will
sob and a silent hand shake wen
out.
Who can doubt that prayer may no
yet be answered. But in the face O.
these heart rending scenes who cal
fold his hands and say, What can b,
done?" Someone will ask, Where ar
Vienna's parentsp" They lie side b!
side in the village cemetery. She saw
them goto their graves broken hearted
over the mistake of her life. Had sh'
been honest with her own conviction
and told her parents that Harry was
moderate drinker." as he really was
that she knew 1t, but hoped to reform
him, " taking his word, "that he coul,
leave it off any time he felt 80 dis
posed" she might have been spared al
this trouble, and today, instead of
''broken vase" there might have beef
a happy home.
For the last seven or eight years thi
little woman has supported herself an,
little mes by working in the mill, leav
ing them sometimes in the DAY Nur
sery," sometimes alone in the house
committing them in the asre of lou
Father"
She must still plod on the same lone
ly, weary way, until the dear Fathe
shall take them to the mansions pre-
pared for them, or, in answer to Liz
zie's PRAYER, make papa q good man.