The Opelousas courier., 1902-03-01
FOR THE BABY'S SAKE.

for / want you In the storeroom."
Nc. Is did not answer me, but ben
her head assentingly. AS she did SO
noticed a tear fall from her eyes.
l was interested in this prisoner
/ for she was far above the usual elias:
Of criminals; for / was at the time Of
which l write second wardress Of one
OF the county prisons. | had noticed
t her superiority to her fellow inmates
| confess that l had made her lot
easier in many ways, SO on this par,
ticular occasion l needed her help tc
assert clothes in the storeroom. When
she had finished her ironing, we were
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 / 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
a little asperity.
L will be quiet, madam" she said,
with great effort. II am very miser-
able and unhappy"
/ "Of course" I answered, as cheer
SGlly as I could. "All are miserable
who come here, 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 lit
tie boy" she sobbed. He is ill, and
II DO not see him ere long he may
lie. All his cry is for his mother, and
l cannot, oh, I cannot get to him. What
shall l do? My heart almost breaks
to see him, and soothe his pains and
troubles. What shall I dog" 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?" I inquired
when her grief had subsidized.
THE lame woman who came In yes
terday told me at exercise, and that
my boys only cry was for his
mother"
Well" I replied, "yeur friends will
take care of him, and a month will
soon pass-take courage" And
kissed her, for l was a woman, IL a
wardress, and apt to harden my heart
at times.
But none can take his mothers
place." was all she could say; then
clasping me suddenly to her, she whis-
pered eagerly, "but il you choose, you
could help me-"
What do you mean7" I said.
In this way" she said 81 want to
be at home in three or four days"
Nonsense" l replied. "You are los
ing your wits; get on with your work"
She obeyed, but continued: n know
can get out II you will aid me a lit
tie, n no n shall be the wiser. |
want you to post me a letter only. and
before long I should be with MI dear
boy" clasping her hands and looking
intensely at nae.
Now you must put such matters en- |
tireiy from you. Supposing," said,
to humor her, Il do as you suggest,
and it was found out, the consequence 1
would be l should lose my pension, |
which is only a few years of, and |
have two children to think Of, and am
Q widow"
She was quiet at this for a time. and
did her work in a random way: then
suddenly:
What amount of money do you cal
culate would bring in interest eouiya-
lent to your pension?"
"A thousand pounds" I 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
to receive n thousand pounds.
would 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 a little distracted with grief.
Remember, that is a solemn prom
[se," she said. and just upon it the
bell rang to close work, and the pris-
oners began to troop to their cells.
AT n end of another hour my duty
would be all over for the night, and
seeing all the inmates of the
cells should transfer my keys to the
night Wardress in charge and 90 home
When / came to No. 18's cell I found
aer calmer, and, putting her arms
around me, she embraced and kissed
whispering: Good night. dear
madam. Remember, and God will
YOU" | passed out and left her
or the night, hoping that she had for
her idea of the letter.
AS | lived outside, / soon nut on NV
lat and cloak, which covered my pris-
N uniform, and left for the night
md was soon at home with my chill
Judge of my establishment. af-
er taking of my cloak, when I mt
ny hand into my dress pocket, to find
q unstamped letter, which No. IL
evidently slipped there before /
eft her cell.
1t was addressed to a city Is miles
way. and my first thought was to de-
troy 1t, and I held it in my hand over
ne dre, but my heart gave a leap az
thought Of her child; and looking
cross the room cam mm -