The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-11-11
MISS POCKET IN B WING.
By TIGHE

When Miss Pocket moving with her usual
smart step. head in the air. round and round
the exercise yard, suddenly left her rank, and
stopped with a courtesy before the warder
on duty the other ladies In the prison Rarb
wondered what would follow.
III you please. Miss" said Miss Pocket. with
her best mile. Il should like to nurse the baby"
Had she asked permission to scale the wall
the other ladies'. her companions In durance.
would have shown less surprise. II was. in
deed. the very first time that Miss Pocket had
requested this high favor.
There was only one baby In p wing, but II
was bigger md fatter and handsomer than
any Of the seven babies In c wing; and the
absence OF a Wedding ring from the finger Of
the comely young woman who owned II lent
extra inter est to the mystery In which lis origin
was involved.
This plump and chirpy mite Of a baby was
what is called a vital factor" In tho mainten-
ance Of discipline In p wing. when a lady
showed an inclination 10 break out. or took
on a brooding At, or a A. 81 the sulk., a warder
was sent flying to he cell at the end ~ the wing
to beg n ten minutes loan of the baby.
The effect In most cases was magical. The
baby had been know to quell an i~ncipient
mutiny merely by being tx Inhibited. asleep in
the arms Of the matron. at the door Of each
cell in succession. Al morning exercise good
conduct prisoners the mother consentinS)
we're allowed to carry IL three times around
the asphalt paths. or sit with II for a few min
utcs on the grass bank under the wall. Some
times the eyes OF these women were wet when
they gave tho baby back. and occasionally one
Of them would be seen In a full food Of tears all
/ the while she held he baby mewlins or babbiing
ia her arms. That was "A very subtle infant.
But Miss Pocket had never weakened In
| any way over this dimr ling instrument of
! prison rule. Alone among the ladies of h wing.
she had never caressed the baby by word or
touch, had never asked TO handle it. Her rar"
concessions TO the softer passions were when
she pulled the prison cat by the tail.
She repeated her request TO the astOnished
varder: ITO nursethe baby"
We'll. I don't mind. said the warder. 1t. the
mother lets you
The mother was not unwilling. seemed. on
| the contrary. rather pleased at Miss Pockets
! tardy patronage: and the transfer was made
Miss Pocket. followed by the curious eyes Of
| the vhole circle on tho tramp. was allowed Ia
retire 10 the bank. where she SAT down and
| observed the baby. She did not cry over f..
nor give ont any token OF sentiment, but II
was patent TO the critics In the ring who were.
II possible. cutter than the officers in "~spotting
a fake" - that Miss Pocket had all at once found
IN the baby a live and human thing, Her dark
little eye. CLEANED over ii. She had the air
of connecting a rev plot. which was to hurt
nobody.
Some Of The ladies looked %sceptical. but susan
Tolmcr. the baby's mother. did not, She.
all right with him" whispered Mis-, Tolr or.
q knew she'd have him presently " BIT The
others were hot convinced. aud Mis- Pocket
was considered TO he planning a new dance"
When she had had her turn with the baby
| the hours exercise for Is wing was up and the
party were marched back to work.
Miss Pocket had been promoted from solitary
labor In her cell to associated" employment
I'm the sewing room. II was a favored and
fayorite department: the work was light, and
the general rule 81 silence uhc sorest rule 10
| he borne in rrisonl was not too c~allously In
| sistc I'd on. The wardcr in The chair Of presi-