Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-03-27


who was about to strangle the rat, opened his
fingers and let 1t fall to the ground. The terri
fled animal fled with the speed peculiar to it,
species, and disappeared behind pile OF beamt
and rubbish.
The teon wiped away his tears, looked anx
iously after the rat, and scarcely breathed unit
ne had seen it out of danger. Then he rose
and silently, with the old savage look, followed
his companion in bonds, and lay down with hin
on their iron bedstead, where a ring and chair
fastened them to a massive bar of the same
metal
Next morning, on his way to work, the con.
vict, whose pale face showed that he had passed
sleepless night, cast an an anxious, troubled
glance toward the pile of wood, and gave a low
peculiar call, to which nothing replied. One Of
his comrades uttered some harmless Jest on the
loss OF his tavorite, and the reply was furious
blow, which felled the speaker, and drew down
on the offender a severe chastisement from the
taskmaster
Arrived at the place of labor, he worked with
sort OF feverish ardor, as though trying to give
vent to his pent-up emotion and, while STOPPING
over large beam, which he and some others
were trying to raise, he felt something gently
tickle his cheek He turned round, and gave
shout of joy. There, on his shoulder, was the
only friend he had in the world-his rat who
with marvellous instinct, had found him out
and crept gently up to his face. He took the
animal in his hands, covered it with kisses
placed it within his nest, and then addressing
the head jaller, who happened to pass by at the
moment, said:
"Sir, if you will allow me to keep this rat
| will solemnly promise to submit to you in
everything, and never again to incur punish.
ment"
The ruler gave u sign of acquiescence, and
passed on. The convict opened his shirt, to
give one more fond look to his faithful pet, and
then contenedly resumed his labor
That which neither threats nor imprisonment
the scourge nor the chain, could effect, was &C
complished, and rapidly, by the influence of love
though its object was one of the most despisod
amongst animals. From the moment when the
formidable convict was permitted to cherish his
pet night and day in his bosom, he became the
most tractable and well conducted man in the
prison. His Hercuean strength, and his mora
energy, were both employed to assist the gov
ernors in maintaining peace and subordination
Fine-Ear $50 he called his rat,) was the obiec
of his unceasing tenderness. He fed it before
he tasted each meal and would rather fast entire
ly than allow it to be hungry. He spent his brie
hours Of respite from toll in making variou,
little fancy articles, which he sold in order tc
procure daintiet which Fine Ear .iked--gfnger.
bread and sugar, for example. Often, during the
period of toll, the convict would smile with de-
light when his little friend, creeping from his
westinghouse, would rub its soft fur against his
cheek, But when, OIL fine sunshiny day, the
rat took up his position on the ground, smoothed
his coat, combed his long moustaches with his
sharp nails, and dressed his long ears with his
delicate paws, his master would testify the
utmost delight, and exchange tender glances
with the black, roguish eyes of Master Fine.
Ear.
The latter, con6ding in his patrons care ant
protection, went, came, sported, and stood still
certain that no one could injure him for tc
touch hair of the rats whiskers would be t.
incur terrible penalty. One day, for havih!
thrown pebble at him, prisoner was force,
to spend week in the hospital, ere he recover
ed the effects of blow bestowed on him b.
Fine Ears master.
The animal soon learned to know the SCUM
of the dnner-bel and jumped with delgt
on the convict when he heard the welcom
summons.
-Four years passed on in this manner, whe
one day poor Fine-Ear was attacked by ca
which had found her way into the workshop
and received several deep wounds before HI
master, flying to the rescue, seized the felin
foe, and actually tore her to pieces.
The recovery of the rat was tedious. Durin
the next month the convict was occupied i
dressing his wounds. 1t was strange the inte
est which every one connected with the prise
took in Fne-E Ears misfortune. Not only di
guards and turnkeys speak of it as the topic
the day, but the hospital nurses furnishe
plasters and bandages for the wounds; an
even the surgeon condescended to prescribe ft
him.
At length the animal recovered his strengt
and gaiety, save that one of his hind paw
dragged little and the cicatrice still disfgure
the shin. He was more tame and affectona
than ever, but the sight of a cat was enough
throw his master into paroxysm of rage, an
running after the unlucky puss, he would, if po
slble, catch and destroy her,
A great pleasure was in store for the convic
Thanks to his good conduct during the last fol
years, his sentence of Imprisonment for life hi
been commuted to twenty years, in which we
to be included the fifteen already spent in pri
on.
"Thank God y he cried, "under His mercy
is to Fine-Ear owe this happiness" !" and
kissed the animal in trasport. Five years ST
remained to be passed in toilsome imprisonmer
but they were cut short in an unlocked for ma
ner.
One day mutinous party of felons succee
ed in seizng a turnkey, and having shut him
with themselves in one of the dormitories thu
threatened to put him to death if all their d
mands were not instantly complied with, and
full amnesty granted for this revolt
Fne-Ear's master, who had taken no part
the uproar, stood silently behind the ofica
; and soldiers, who were ready to fire on Il
insurgents. Just as the attack was about
commence, he approached the chief superi
tendent, and said few words to him in lo
, | voice