The San Francisco call., 1906-08-12

, prompted what might otherwise have
seemed heartless question.
"Havs you been very unhappy
here"
"Of course. I have not been happy;
no one could be-" she answered.
you have tried to make the best
of it?'
Yes, I have" she replied. ''but Il
has been very hard"
You have tried to be cheerful for
the baby's sake?"
asked this question rather re-
luctantly. but she answered 1t readily.
hesitated for q moment and then
asked:
"And you are fond of children
For a moment, as the tragic details
Of Stella Brennan's trial came to my
mind, I regretted that I had put the
question to the unfortunate woman. but
apparently still laboring under the as
the murder Of three young children she
quietly responded:
Yes, am very fond Of children"
and even as she spoke she unconscious
ly turned toward her infant that was
sleeping in the arms OF one of the ward
attendants. The mother of this child
has not seemed. however, during her
prison life to feel much deep emotion.
and although she may give her babe
some plying thoughts her mind Is al
most wholly occupied with broodings
upon her own unfortunate situation.
It is doubtful II the mother can have
a full conception OF the misery her
daughter may know when 1t Is old
enough to understand that II is Stunned
because it's mother committed horri-
BILE murder and its birthplace was q
prison hospital
Still when we continued to discuss
the babies she suddenly cried out: ct
always wanted baby, and I would
have looked forward to 1t happily, but
I did not want it born here"
Poor creaturel At last her motherly
instinct had asserted itself, and she
was almost overcome with emotion.
II am innocent" she protested as the
to have my baby born in prison. They
tried to get me out and hope they
will, but 1t will be tee late to save the
baby from disgrace"
One comfort this woman has had
she was permitted to make her baby's
clothes. This work has helped to make
her cheerful.
She gave the impression that she
had sewed contentedly upon them; at
least that gloomy despair was not
woven into the garments with every
stitch. She had some bright thoughts
about her baby, and she was feminine
enough to take some pride and pleasure
in making the layette herself.
Mrs. Brennan was eager to bring the
small garments out for inspection and
admiration; but since prison regule-
tions would not permit Of 1t. she Do
scribed those OF which she was most
proud.
Chief among these was christening
robe. 1t is as beautiful as fine needle
work could make it, and she hopes her
baby will be baptized in 1t.
She said she had puzzled over names
for the baby, but had not been able to
decide upon any. The trivial problem
evidently filed her mind at times to
the exclusion Of bitter thoughts.
When I thoughtlessly asked her
whether she had planned anything for
the baby's future she relapsed into
gloomy thoughts. from which she
emerged only when we resumed the-I
discussion of the infant clothes.
She reveled in q description Of q
patchwork quilt. 1t is made Of an enor-
nous number Of small pieces, and Mrs.
Brennan was as enthusiastic over It IS
any other mother In the land might be.
Asked whether she would like TO keep
her baby with her IN prison, Mrs. Bren-
nan replied; "It would be . comfort to
me. and think am to be allowed TO
have It here for few months. Then