Callahan had just finished washing the dirt from her face when the Deputy made his appearance. "I gave the order that Callahan's cell should not be opened unless I was here." "The doctor came, I supposed you sent him, and opened the cell door as I always do for him." "What way did he come in?" "Through the front door of the kitchen, as he often does." I was not sorry for the mistake. That evening Mrs. Hardhack told me they were determined to break Callahan's temper. They had got her pretty well under; but it was not quite broken. Her constitution was in a fair way to be broken, her temper might share the same fate. If to teach her to control her temper were what was meant, a very unfit method was adopted to effect the purpose. How can one person teach another to control his temper when he is ignorant of the way, and does not practice the government of his own? When I was left alone in the prison, I sat down before Callahan's cell door. I thought over the object of punishment. Is it intended to deter the vicious from continuing in crime? That is the apparent object. Then, ought it not to be adapted to the crime, and administered by those who are free from the same faults? Instead of that, it was left, in this instance, an almost irresponsible power, in the hands of ignorance and cruelty, and if report were not mistaken, of kindred sin. I thought, some mother's heart is aching for you, poor Callahan; such treatment as you receive here, will never lead you to make it ache the less. Injustice and severity will never soften your heart, or enlighten your understanding. God pity you, and interpose in your behalf! "What are you thinking of?" asked Callahan. "How did you know that I was thinking?" "I looked through the key-hole, and saw you looking straight to the floor, biting your nails." "I was thinking of you, Callahan." "You was thinking what a wicked wretch I am?" "I wish you might become better, and never come in this place again. It is a great deal of suffering for so little comfort as you can take in sin. Won't you try to do better, Callahan?" "I can't in here. They are just as bad as I am that put me in here, and they'll never make me any better." There was the injustice for which she had suffered rankling in her heart. "It is more what we do ourselves than what others do to us which makes us happy or unhappy." "It's what they've done to me that makes me unhappy, and if ever I catch them ---- outside, I'll pay 'em back,--I will, if I go to h--l for it!" "Callahan, Callahan, be patient and gentle! Don't think of any wicked things to do outside, but think how to behave so that you can stay there. Remember it was for your own deeds that you came in here. If you hadn't been in here, they couldn't have put you in the black cell. Be gentle and patient while you are here, now that it can't be helped, and never come again."