The native American., 1838-09-22
ESCAPE OF A CONVICT.

y,
Rouge, on the 24th ult. He was imprisoned for
highway robbery, and sentenced for fourteen
years, two of which had expired. He had made
preparations sometime previous for his departure
on the first favorable opportunity, by filing off his
chains, and so fastening them as to avoid detec-
Misunderstanding also pair of whiskers for the
purpose of disguise. AT the hour of dinner for
the convicts, on the day above mentioned, and
while the wardens were engaged in attending to
several visiters, thinking the proper moment had
arrived, he determined to execute his long devised
scheme of escape. The Baton Rouge Gazette
thus humorously gives the particulars:
In walking to his cell, scheming and resolving,
he accidentally tumbled over trunk in the way.
''D-n the trunk" said he, grasping his toe and
dancing with pain. But bright idea dawncd
upon his mind and triumphant smile lighted up
his countenance. He caught the trunk in his
arms, and carefully pcering along the dark pas
sage, he carried it into one of the black cells.
There he opened it and extracted an elegant suit
OF new clothes, pair of green spectacles, po-
lished pair of boots, fashionable black hat
pair of soft kid gloves, bundle OF cigars, and
pocketbook containing money.
lie had no water to make additions, but he
found substitute, or, perhaps, thought the mat
ter beneath his notice. In few minutes he had
la coquetish peep in pocket glass, he surveyed
"a real dandy With smirk Of vanity on his
|counenance, he sat down and ndted an alIec-
tionate valedctory letter to his comrades. He
then sailed forth into the yard and most foppish-
|ly staggered round, combing his whiskers and
contemplating the building with marks of aston
lshment on his countenance. After showing off
for while, he concluded it was time to snuff the
free breeze, and placing cigar in his mouth, he
swung himself most languldly into blacksmith S
|shop and asked permission to get light. His
fellow convicts bowed politely to the dashing dam
dy, who drew the manuscript of an old song from
his coat-pocket Cleft there accidentally bv tie
former owner of the garmen) and used it to light
his cigar. ''Poor Betsy!'' said he, signing as he
put it in the fire. "How cruel | am to burn your
letter-but necessity orders it--there is nothing
else clean at ha,d."
He walked leisurely to the gate and entered in
to conversation with one Of the guards. allow
many miserable guilty mortals have you in this
gloomy retreat of crime?"
"There are about l2O convicts here now, sir''
"How my blood thrills when think Of the de-
graded state of mankind, when view so much
wretchedness and suffering. Have they no chance
Of escape?'
The guard c!ashed his arms significantly.
"Ah! you keep a strict Neutrality-suspicious. |
can't conceive how you can endure the sight Of
so much suffering | have always dsliked to be
where crimes are punished-my nerves are weak
feel for my fellow creatures, however aban,lon-
ed. Good evening, SIR And he extended paw
wrapped up in a glove Of leather, which the guard
Respectfully touched.
The gate was opened he entered the passage
that leads to the street, met the Warden touched
his hat and made polite bow, which was no less
coureously returned-and behold Underwood I'M
the street chucklng at his success and free as the
wind.
| The whiskers were instantly removed. the bar
Der received visit, and Underwood now alias
Seville, was shaved, brushed, pertumed, and
completely Adonizcd. He then visited store,
bought suit of new clothes and cane, changed
his appearance once more, and like perfect loaf
er, commenced to lounge round the corners and
discussed politics.
"What handsome MANI whispered pretty
young lady passing.
eyes said her companon-"'ris pity his
hair is shaven so cose--makes him look as if he
had just come from the Pcnentiary''
go fie! don't you know that it is the fashion,
Mr. Seville smiled gracously at the latteriny
notice of the beautiful ladies'. At length he got
into quarrel about the election, received chal-
lenge, agreed TO meet his antagonist the next
morning, got second, and, matters being thus ar
ranged, he invited the company into coffee
house and treated like a gentleman. A few min.
utes after, he departed whither-none can tell.
CaugM.-'Live Yankees although they may
come under the name and denomination of green