The Placer herald., 1871-12-02

OF despair.
"rve brought another gal to see you this
time, Fletcher. It's very probable she won't
be so agreeable-like as t'other one, but will
do as much good, | reckon"
A woman in black stood before the bed on
which Fletcher reclined. He recognized Mrs.
Lancaster, the wife of the murdered man.
"Ah, this does me good, said she taking
step nearer, and shaking her clenched fist
in his face. &c 1t don't pay to take fellow
creatures life, does it? Don't you speak to
me, you vilain-dont dare to open your
mouth. came here to gloat over your mis-
cry, and see how the prospect Of leaving
your wife and babies affected you. Oh, you
tremble! have found the tender cord. My
husbands wife and children were nothing
oh, no? Wretch, villain! May the law be
fully justified"
The woman, to all appearance, exasperated
beyond the power of further utterance step
ped little nearer, and with a sly movement
hid one of her gloves under the pillow of the
bewildered man.
+" Have you finished, ma am ?" inquired
the turnkey, with his hand on the door.
"Now, really, Fletcher, don't you rather
prefer an interview of this kind to one of
those blubbering sort you have had so
many of lately? Twill do you more good
ten to one. What are you doing nowY
" Giving him one more look, that is all.
Murderer! robber! wretch want to engravc
his picture on my brain SO indellibly that |
never can forget single feature"
" By the crown, your old man must have
had Tartar! Oh, ho, ho!' and the fat tnm-
key shook his fat sides with laughter. 81
don't believe he's got it much hotter where
he's staying now than he had it with you.
1t takes woman to use up the King, Eng
lish. l always said SO, now know it.
Mrs. Lancaster drew her veil over her face
and quietly left the prison. AS soon as he
dared, with trem bling fingers, Lloyd drew
forth the glove. In it was vial containing
mixture of chloroform, or ether, small
sharp instrument to file his shackles, and
note. 1t read thus:
" You are not the man, and cannot al
low you to be hung. Overpower the keeper,
take his clothes and leave. Go to the old
rookery, No. - first floor, where disguise
awaits you, and then God help you, for you
must conceal yourself"
Lloyd, with wildly beating heart, con-
cealed the articles and tried to think. The
keeper did not enter the cell unil after he
brought his tea, and how could he accom-
plish his purpose then? There would be too
many astir in the prison then, and he might
be detected
" Defeated now with the weapons of de-
liyerancc in my hands. No, indeed, Lloyd
Fletcher!
Fletcher, suppose you know that ac-
cording to the prison rules you are rot allow
ed to stay alone tonight. 1t would be bar
barous to leave feller without good COM
pany his last night on earth" said the turn
kew. an hour or two after Mrs Lancaster's
visit.
"You'll have to take your pick atween
old Father Walsh and myself; but ! suppose
you will take me, bad as you hate me, atorc
that hypocrite."
"Why can't | have my wife ?" asked
Lloyd, with a voice full of bitterness.
ooh, wives amt allowable on such occa-
sions. She'll be round in the morning an
hour or two; but talk quick-whlch will
you have?"
"What difference do you supposeit makes
to me, you heartless wretch, who watches
with my last moments on earth, when my
only friend is denied me.
So it was arranged. The turnkey was to
occupy his cell, and Lloyd went to work
with his little instrument to file the hand
cuffs and chain which bound him. 1t was
slow and tedious, but in an hours time he
had the satisfaction of one free hand, and
the power to remove his limbs from the gall
ing, rafting torments which had SO firmly
held him.
"I must be able to throw these fetters off,
or | am lost" So he worked away indus
triously until the obstinate link was displaced,
and he could wear or leave them Oft at his
pleasure. Ten o'clock arrived, and the turn
key had his cot brought in the cell.
"When are you going to turn in, Fletcher?
I'm as tired as an East India niger. Plaguy
afraid shan't be much company tonight;
better had the priest. You wrote all your
letters yesterday, Fletcher, didn't you?" and
the keeper yawned deeply, turned over once
or twice, and in FIVE minutes was snoring
profoundly.
Now is my time,' thought Fletcher.
"It won't do to wait. Heaven help me"
Noiselessly he stepped from the chains
and drew off the torturing handouts. 1t
was but the work of moment to saturate
his handkerchief with the mixture, and in
less time than it takes me to tell it, Lloyd
had stripped the hardened wretch. There
was trifing difference in their height, but
Lloyd lacked the aldermanic proportions of
the jailor. However he managed thatquickly
and easily, unlocked the door of the cell,
stepped into the corridor, locked it again
carefully, withdrew the key, and initiated as
nearly as possible the dull, heavy tread of
the keeper. The Jail physician was just
leaving the building, and Lloyd walked along
after him as if to see him safely out. Only
one subordinate guarded the entrance, and so
Lloyd and the doctor walked out together,
-..I Al.