Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-04-16
N iSC T. l. l. AN Y.
THE STORY OF FINE-EAR.

Ten or twelve years ago. there was in the
prison at Brest man sentenced for life to
the galleys. do not know the exact ma
ture Of his crime, but it was something very
atrocious. never heard, either, what his
former condition of life had been for even
his name had passed into oblivion, and he
was recognized only by number. Altho'
his features were naturally well formed,
their expression was horrible; every dark
and evil passion seemed to have left its inn
press there; aud his character fully cores
ponded to its outward indications. Mutt
nous, gloomy, and revengeful, he had often
hazarded his life in desperate attempts to
escape, which hitherto had proved abortive.
Once, during winter, he succeeded in gain
ing the fields, and supported, for several
days, the extremity of cold and hunger
He was found, at length, half frozen and
insensible under tree, and brought back
to prison, where, with difficulty, he was re-
stored to life. The ward-master watched
him more closely, and punished him more
severely by far, than the other prisoners,
while double chain was added to his heavy
fetters. Several times he attempted suicide,
but failed, through the vigilance of his
guards. The only results of his expert
ments in this line were an asthma, caused
by nail which he hammered into his chest,
and the loss of an arm, which he fractured
in leaping off high wall. After suffering
amputation, and six months Sojourn in
the hospital, he returned to his hopeless
lifelong task work.
One day this mans fierce humor seemed
sotened. After the hours of labor, he seat
ed himself with the companion in misery
to whom he was chained, in corner of the
court; and his repulsive countenance as
sumed mild expression. Words of ten
derness were uttered by the lips which here
tofore had opened only to blaspheme; and
with his head bent down, he watched some
object concealed in his bosom.
The guards looked at him with disquiet-
ude. believing he had some weapon hidden
within his clothes; and two of them ap-
preaching him stealthily from behind, seiz-
ed him roughly, and began to search him
before he could make any resistance. Find
ing himself completely in their power, the
convict exclaimed: 'Oh, don't kill him -
Pray, don't kill him."
As ne spoke, one of the guards had gain
ed possession of large rat, which the felon
had kept next his bosom.
Don't kill him. he repeated. "Beat
me; chain me; do what you like with me
but don't hurt my poor rat Don't squeeze
him so between your fingers! If YOU will
not give him back to me, let him go free !''
And while he spoke, for the first time, prob.
ably, since his childhood, tears filed his
eyes, and ran down his cheeks.
Rough and hardened men as were the
guards, they could not listen to the convict
and see his tears, without some feeling O
compassion. He who was about to stran
gle the rat, opened his fingers and let it fal
to the ground. The terrified animal flee
with the speed peculiar to its species, anc
disappeared behind pile of beams and rub.
bish.
The felon wiped away his tears, looked
anxiously after the rat, and scarcely breath.
ed until he had seen it out of danger. Then
he rose, and silently, with the old savage
look followed his companion in bonds, and