Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-04-16

SANNHASSS o&AA-AAONSj
troubled glance toward the pile of wood, and
gave low, peculiar call, to which nothing
replied. One of his comrades uttered harm
less jest on the loss of his favorite and the
reply was furious blow, which felled the
speaker, and drew down on the offender a
severe chastisement from the task-master.
Arrived at the place of labor, he worked
with sort Of feveriSh ardor as though try
ing 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, address
! sing the head jailer, who happened to pass
by at the moment he said:
"Sir, if you will allow me to keep this
rat, | will solemnly promise to submit to
you in every thing, and never again to in
cur punishment"
The ruler gave sign of acquiessence,
and passed on. The convict opened his
shirt, to give one more fond look at his faithful
pet, and then contentedly resumed his la
Dor.
That which neither threats nor imprison-
ment, the scourge nor the chain, could effect
was accomplished, and rapidly, by the in
fluence Of Ioue, though its object was one of
the most despised among animals. From
the moment when the formidable convict
was permitted to cherish his pet night and
day in his bosom, he became the most trac-
table and well conducted man in the prison.
His Herculean strength, and his moral en-
ergy, were both employed to assist the gov
ernors in maintaining peace and subordina-
ton. Fine-Ear, SO he called his rat, was
the object Of his unceasing tenderness. He
fed 1t before he tasted each meal, and would
have rather tasted entirely than allow it to
be hungry. He spent his brief hours of re-
spite from toll in making various little fancy
articles, which he sold, in order, to procure
dainties which Fine-Ear iked-gingerbread
and sugar for example. Often during the
period of toll, the convict would smile with
delight when his little friend, creeping from
its nesting place, would rub its soft fur a.
gainst his cheek. But when, on fine sun
shiny day, the rat took up his position on
the ground, smoothed his coat, combed his
long mustachs, with his sharp nails, and
dressed his long ears with his delicate paws,
his master would testify the utmost deli ghi,
and exchange tender glances with the black
roguish eyes of Master Fine-Ear.
The latter, confding in his patrons care
and protection, went, came, sported or stood
still, certain that no one would injure him !;
for to tough hair Of the rats whisker would
be to incur dreadful penalty. One day,
for having thrown pebble at him, pris-
oner was forced to spend week in hospi-
tai, ere he recovered the effects of blow
bestowed upon him by Fine-Ear's master.
The animal soon learned to know the
sound Of the dinner-bell, and jumped with
delight on the convict when he heard the
welcome summons.
Four years passed on in this manner, when
one day poor Fine-Ear was attacked by a cat,
which had found her way into the workshop
and received several deep wounds before
his master, flying to the rescue, seized the
feline foe and actually tore her to pieces.
The recovery of the rat was tedious
During the next month the convict was oc-
cuped in dressing his wounds. 1t was strange
the interest which every one connected with
the prison took in Fine-Ear's misfortune.--
Not only did the guards and turkeys speak
of it as topic of the day, but the hospital
nurses furnished plasters and bandages for
the wounds; and even the surgeon conde-
scended to prescribe for him.
AT length the animal recovered his
strength and gayety, save that one of his
hind paws dragged little, and the cicatrice
still disfgured his shin. He was more tame
and affectionate than ever, but the sight OF
cat was sufficient to throw his master into
paroxysm of rage, and, running after the
unlucky puss, he would if possible catch
and destroy her.
A great pleasure was in store for the con-
vict. Thanks to his good condnct during
the past four years, his sentence Of impris-
onment for life had been commuted into
twenty years, in which were to be included
the fifteen already spent in prison.
Thank God !" he cried ''under His mer-
cy it is to Fine-Ear | owe this happiness p'
and he kissed the animal with transport
Five still remains to be passed in imprison-
ment, but they were cut short in an unlock
ed for manner.
( One day mutinous party of felons sue
ceed in seizing turnkey, and having shut
him up with themselves in one of the dor
mitories, they threatened to put him to
death if all their demands were not instantly
complied with, and full amnesty granted
for this revolt.
/ Fine-Ears master, who had taken no part
in the uproar, stood silently behind the off.
cials and the soldiers, who were ready tc
fire on the insurgents. Just as the attack
was about to commence, he approached the
chief superintendent, and said a few words
in low voice.
81 accept your Offer" replied the govern
or, remember you risk your life; but if you
succeed, pledge my word that you shall be
strongly recommended to the Government
for unconditional pardon, this very night. "
1 The convict drew forth Fine-Ear from hi:
bosom, kissed him several times, and then
placing him within the vest of young fel
low prisoner with whom the rat was already
familiar he said, in broken voice:
eff ! do not return, be kind to lin, ant
love him as have loved him."
Then having armed himself with an enor
nous bar OF iron, he marched with a deter
mined step to the dormitory, without re.
garQlng the missiles which tba rahels b,,rIer