Within Prison Walls: being a narrative during a week of voluntary confinement in the state prison at Auburn, New YorkOsborne, Thomas Mott
History
Within Prison Walls: being a narrative during a week of voluntary confinement in the state prison at Auburn, New York
Osborne, Thomas Mott
Auburn Prison; Prisoners -- New York (State); Prisons -- New York (State)
It was not until I came here that I had the desire to play at all,
and never while here has that desire framed into a resolve until now.
Were I never to see you again I will always remember you, your
kindness has awakened long buried impulses.
I have gone into this thing further than I intended; my intention was
to thank you for your kindness in coming to see me. I little thought
when you came into the P. K.'s office to have your record taken, the
first day of your self-imposed term, that I should be in your
thoughts even for a little while. I knew you were over me when I
commenced to play, but never dreamed or hoped that it would have any
more than a passing effect upon you. And when I passed you at
different times I avoided you, as I did not think there was anything
about me which would attract your interest, knowing as I do how
little consideration I deserve from anyone.
Your kindness will never be forgotten. Nothing can happen during the
remainder of my term which will afford me greater happiness. A
happiness accompanied with a deep regret for all that I have
neglected and opportunities unaccepted, but for which I thank you
from the bottom of my heart.
Very respectfully,
CHARLES F. ABBOTT (P. K.'s Clerk),
Auburn Prison, October 17, 1913.
I think most schools and colleges might be successfully challenged to show
a letter better expressed or showing a finer spirit of manliness. In fact
one finds in all these letters, and in many others not included here, a
peculiar note of clearness; it is to be found also in the talk of many of
these men, after you have succeeded in gaining their confidence; a rare
note of sincerity and strength--as if the unimportant hypocrisies of life
had been burned away in their bitter experiences.
In the month of December, 1913, immediately upon my return from a six
weeks' business trip to Europe, I visited my friends at the prison. Then I
found that my shopmate, Jack Bell, had been transferred to Clinton Prison
on account of his health. A day or two later I received the following
acknowledgment of some postcards I had sent him.
Dannemora, New York, Sunday, Dec. 14, 1913.
The Hon. Thomas Mott Osborne.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account