Year: 1872

The Prison Gi Om Fit by the Smile


Love.


Glove among the roses" when beams ir


golden freshness the sun of morn or falls il


sacred silence the charmful CLEAN of the


moon are perhaps ideal situations to which


the mutual hearts of all young and senti-


mental persons most willingly aspire in the


anticipation Of bliss almost divine. This


is indeed a fair picture, but when


we see this sentiment, termed love,


seiZiug the very soul itself, fasci-


mating with a power unshaken and
creating a devotion which throws its bril-


lance, like gleam of HeaVen-burnished
hope into the darkness of the prison cell,
its character partakes of quality that is
something more than human, however
humble its subject or ignorant its devotee.
1t is this sentiment which sometimes gath
ering the silent beauty and divine power Of
its author reaches the lonely and doubling
heart, carrying hope and trust, and pene-
Irating even the shattered palace of the
mind where unholy thought is guarded by
despair. The Chattanooga Herald OF Nov.
l has the following strange story which
will be read by many with interest:


Our readers will remember that re-
markable character was lodged in our coun-
ty prison some months ago, for a murder
committed in an adjoining county, and that
he afterward broke jail, with a number of
other prisoners, aud attended the premature
jollitcatiOn over the news from North Caro-
lima, and after all that went back and asked
TO be admitted to his cell. But to bring up
both sides OF the story, we must explain
that very few weeks ago a woman was
thrown in jai' for stabbing one of her neigh
bors under peculiar circumstances, some
where between this place and Bridgeport,
we believe. This woman had an unmarried
sister living in Georgia, who hearing Of her
sisters sad condition came to Chattsnooga
to see her. Jsilor Bryan being very humane
msn, the imprisoned sister was soou al
lowed to come out oh cell aud enjoy the
liberty of the Jail and the jail-yard. In
passing to and fro together around the cell
the two sisters naturally became acquainted
with the other prisoners this murdert above
spoken of among the Test. The latter saws
that he fell in love with the unmarried sis.
ter at first sight. They cOnversed with
each other few times. The imprisoned
sister was then released and the other re-
turned to her home in Georga-not, how
ever, we are left to infer, without having
her heart pierced with one of cupid's darts,
as she looked into those dark and languid
eyes behind the prison bars, while she and
the murderer conversed IN the twilight of
the gloomy Jail.


After his bird was gone our hero be-
came incOnsolable and though Jailor Bry-
an allowed him extraordinary privileges
on account OF his good behavior in the past,
he was not satisfied. He could not live
without hearing from the gentle visitor to
bis prison home. He could not write himself
SO he employed An accommodating limb of
.he law to act as amanuensiS. He sent let
ter and in due time dainty little white ens
Velope superscribed in a beautiful lady's
land, was handed in through the iron
grating. The seal was broken with a pal
pitating heart. Was it yes or mop The
accuracy of wording and the finish of style
showed that the author had enjoyed the ad-
Vantages of a superior education. 1t |
oreathed the true spirit, and to crown all,
closed up by 'hOping the time would soon
come when prison bars would separate them
40 longer forever This was enough.


The young lady soon returned to Chatta-
1ooga, and, through the kindness of Mr. |
Bryan, Lhey met again. 1t was happy |
meeting. Other letters passed and still |
'ther interviews were had. Though Mr.. |
B. is one of the best jailors in the world
md much beloved by his wards, who can't |
'e induced to run away, even though the
ock should be pried off and the door open
ID wide, yet there is bound to his gener-
'sity. Our hero, not content with meeting
lis dulciua in the presence of the jailor, de-
ired to visit her at her home and spend
he afternoon. This request could
lot be granted, and the re-
ult is that since that time the gay
over has been grave. In other words, he
its all day in his cell, and does nothing
,ut read the Bible from morning to night,
lot even designing to speak when his food
brought in-thus exemplifying the old
dage that the course of true love never
oes run smooth. His sweetheart sits in
he porticO of her brother-in-law's house,
lst over at the corner of the street, and
What time she does not employ at her sew
lg is spent in looking dreamily toward he
III and signing for the sitting of the Circuit
'ourt, when she expects her inamorata to
e released and they will be married.