Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-07-28
N, O. WALLACE,
A Bold Strike for Free
dom.

organized and surer system of ad-
ministration than any similar In
Istitution l have known. | have
seen many, and looked somewhat
closely into their methods cf man.
agement and discipline, and have
often seen much to approve; but
the prison at D. surpasses all
the rest. Visitors, of whom, very
properly, few are admitted, are
amazed at the regularity, the or.
der and most singular of all, the
air of security and exceeding qui-
ct that prevails. ua
As we wandered through the
chambers in the lover part of the
prison, we came to one, from the
window of which a man was look
ing SO anxiously that be did not
hear US enter. When he turned
round, his eyes were glistening
with tears. The warden said he
did nothing but stand at the win
dow at all times when unoccupied.
He was sailor, we learned, whose
ofense was that be had beaten al
most to death a comrade for speak
ing slightingly about bis wife. He
was in for three years and six
months, and he was one of the
best men about the prison. They
had found out that he was accom-
plished-that there was no bet
ter barber anywhere; SO he was
elevated above his fellows to the
extent of a dignified position and
the responsibility of razors.
"He has shaved me many a
time better than ] could do it N.Y.
self. Would you like a prison
shave, gentlemen p said the war
den.
/ thought there was something
taking in the idea, and acknowl-
edged myself to be touched favora-
bly, with the proposition.
johnson, you will shave this
gentleman" said the warden.
/ threw off my coat, and settled
myself comfortably in the big
chair. johnson made grave prep
arations.
l always hated a razor. tits a
villainous necessity. I wonder
if anybody thinks it delightful
that kissing Of the sharp steel
over the throat, with the skin
drawn drum-tigLt?
When my face was shining with
the soap, the warden said:
"We will leave you for five
minutes, Mr.. Is that time
enough, Johnson?"
"Quite time enough, sir" an
swered Johnson. The prisoner
and l were left alone. My CON-
panions went in another direction
from that we had been pursuing,
and the warden swung the door
wide open as he passed through,
leaving it unclosed. From my
position Isaw them walk along
the top of the wall until they
came to a corner, where they spoke
a little with the officer in charge.
Then they moved on, officer and
all out of sight.
Upon each corner of the pris-
on wall, a guard is always sta.
toned, we'll armed, to watch that
no attempts at escape are made.
The moment this one disappeared,
l felt a sort of faint shiver of the
razor against my lip. lmmedi-
ately after, my barDer ceased OPP
erations, walked leisurely to the
door, and looked out, and return
ing, paused a moment at-the win
dow where we found him when
we entered, then he came back to
me and resumed his work. ielt
vaguely alarmed. -
Presently the prisoner spoke
His voice was very low, quite a
whisper indeed, and he cut his
words short. But how distinct
they were
aDo you hear me, sir? he
asked.
eyes," said l.
"Ifs a ticklish thing, this shaw
ing, isn't it?" said he. "But my
hand is always steady. / can do
what ] please with razor-just
what 1 please. Be good enough
to keep still, very still just now.
I'm close on a large vein, you see,
right in your neck. Keep very
still and don't stir. I know what
would happen, and SO do you, if
you stirred or spoke one. word.
Good GodI These were hideous
Words. but the glare of the mans
eyes, as he came round in front of
me, was appalling. 1 could not
have uttered syllable if i had