Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-11-28
FOR THE BABY'S SAKE.


her head assentingly AS she did SO,
I noticed a tear fall from her eyes.
l was interested in this prisoner,
for she was far above the usual class
OF criminals; for | was at the time OF
which l write second wardress of one
of the county prisons. | had noticed
her superiority to her fellow inmates.
l confess that | had made her lot
easier in many ways, so on this par
ticular occasion | needed her help to
assert clothes in the storeroom. When
soon engaged at the easier task.
We were by ourselves, and had not
been five minutes in the room, when
suddenly my charge burst into a fit
OF sobbing, and to my surprise, threw
herself into my arms.
Come, this will never do. What is
the matter?" l said quietly. Suppose
the governor were to come in what
should l do? You would get me into
serious trouble"
She, however, continued to clasp
me round the neck, giving vent to
heartbreaking 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 miser-
able and unhappy"
"Of course" | answered, as cheer
fully as l could. "All are miserable
who come here, except the hardened
Rut wi ha LDy
again. One short month, and you will
be with your friends"
But my child, madam, my dear lit
tie boy" she sobbed. He is i'll, and
If l do not see him ere long he may
die. All his cry is for his mother, and
cannot, oh, | cannot get to him. What
shall l do? My heart almost breaks
to see him, and soothe his pains and
troubles. What shall do?" And she
laid her head on my shoulder, with
a faint, despairing cry which wrung
my heart, for l had two bonnie chill
dren at home, and my heart went out
to her
"How do you know this?" inquired
when her grie. had subsded.
THE lame woman who came in yes
eerday told me at exercise, and that
my boys only cry was for his
mother"
Well l replied, "your friends will
take care of him, and a month will
soon Eass-take courage" And
kissed her, for l was a woman, If a
war1ress, and apt to harden my heart
at times
'Rut none can take his mothers
place" was all she could say; then
'clasping me suddenly to her, she whis-
pered eagerly, "but if you choose, you
could help me-"
What do you mean?" I said.
In this way" she said. q want to
be at home in three or four days"
Nonsense" l replied "You are los
dng your wits; get on With your work"
She obeyed, but continued: 81 know
I can get out if you will aid me a lit.
tie, and no one shall be the wiser.
want you to post me letter only, and
before long l should be with my dear
boy" clasping her hands and looking
intensely at me.
Now you must put such matters en-
Sirely from you Supposing," l said,
to humor her, Il do as you suggest,
and it was found out, the consequence
would be l should lose my pension,
which is only a few years off, and l
have two children to think of, and am
u 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 equiva-
aent to your pension?"
"A thousand pounds" | said, smil-
ing, and believing that it would put
such thoughts away from her mind.
She dropped the clothing she held
and seized my hands firmly. ''If you
were TO receive one thousand pounds.
wonld you help me? Swear it by the
love you bear your children, and as
you hope for their welfare"
oh, yes, I'll promise that" re-
piled, to humor her, for | thought she
must be little distracted with grief.
Remember, that is a solemn prom
Use" she said, and just upon it the
nell rang to close work, and the pris-
onors began to troop to their cells.
AT the end of another hour my duty
would be all over for the night, and
after seeing all the inmates of the
cells l should transfer my keys to the
night wardress in charge and go home.
When i came to No. 1875 cell | found
her calmer, and, putting her arms
around me, she embraced and kissed
pe, whispering: Good night, dear
Waham- Remember, and God will
bless you" l passed out and left her
for the night. hoping that she had for
gotten her idea of the letter.
As lived outside. soon put on nv
hat and cloak, which covered my pris-
on uniform, and left for the night.
and was soon at home with my chill
airen, Judge of my astonishment, af-