Connecticut western news., 1872-03-01
THE FLICKERING LAMP.

THE FLICKERING LAMP.
 The ticket-of-leave system was profes- sedly instituted to induce conyicts to be- have themselves with propriety; but this result was soon lost sight of, and the greater the rogue; sometimes, the better the luck. In fact, there were three sorts of characters who used to obtain tickets. No l, we will call him, got ticket for genuine good behavior; No. 2obtained his for showing the white of his eyes while attending divine service. and perhaps working himself into the good graces of the chaplain No. 3 was successful because he was troublesome fellow to the officers C. screws") eff the prison, was thorough villain, and ripe for any thing-co consequent ly they were glad to get rid of him. By this course the real motive for establish ing the ticket system. relieving the over crowded convict establishments, was car- ried out-how, successfully for the public veal may be inferred from the fact that nearly all conyicts released on ticket were sent back for misconduct. za54.. 4
 Ned Parker belonged to the class No. 3 aforementioned He was some sort of worker in iron by trade, and a Birming- ham man, at which place be committed a burglary, was sentenced ts fourteen years, penal servitude, and sent to Portland. At the expiration of seven and half years he obtained q ticket. apds returned to his na- tive place, where in a short time he again got into trouble, and was sent for twelve months-t -te the county jasl.-- His being there was reported to. the House Office, and the Secretary of State issued a war- rent for his apprehension when the twelve months should have expired. The instru- ment was sent to the chiet magistrate at Bow street, who then issued his warrant, and placed it in the hands of your humble servant.
 I proceeded to Birmingham, obtained possession sof Ned, and brought him to London without mishap. He was very amiable under his re commitment j; then be began to show his teeth, and 1 knew had a slippery customer to deal with.
 started with him by. the P. M. train for Dorchester, and should mention, by the way, that we were nearly oi size, about the same height, and altogether, in physical sense. wellc matehed.S When we arrived at Southampton we had to change carriages, and We lost most of our travelling companions who had gone with us thus far. He attempted, in the con- fusion on the platform, to, slip away; but my eye had not left him for moment. and my grip was on his coat-sleeve in trice. We merely smiled to one another, as two might do at stop in game of draughts.
 On leaving Southampton it was dark, and the lamp was lit in the carriage. Sta tion after station was reached, sometimes dropping passenger, or taking one up then, besides ourselves, but one remained then a trio of jolly-faced farmers got in, and made the carriage echo with their broad laughs and hearty voices. [ was just wishing that their journey might be to my destination, when the whistle screamed, the lights of the village began to course round in their merry dance, the train stopped, and our friends the farmers were gone. gao 1 Bee gEs. <@1q.u /
 One person now remained, and he was timid looking man, who, had I mention ed the fact that notorious burglar wa: sitting beside him, would doubtless have gone into'a fi5 or out of the window but even be was company, and could scream in the event of trouble, if nothing else.
 said, just now, wished the farmers had been going my way, and So did of ; truth for felt a presentiment that A not like to change carriages, as full onl now might be an empty one at the mex station, and it would have betrayed fear I kept measuring my man in my eyes, an, as often caught him evidently measuring ne. 70 SE-s
 An unearthly shriek from the engine and sudden 1urch of the carriage il rounding curve, caused the prisoner, f recovering his equilibrium, to display hi handcuffs. The tjmid- looking man. va out of the cafriase. and on the -p1atforr before the train had fairly stopped. The we were alone. @ Any more going on Bang! slam ,slaml bangila shriek, an we were of again. We were sitting OF posite each other, and the light from th lamp fell n each ofo faces. His eye glistened like areptlle's. i can't say ho1 mine looked, but know they were ike as intently on him as a cats on mouse.
 Our run now would take us to Dol chester. A screech, and knew the light of station we were passing were dancin outside the window; but did not loo at them. Then our lamp began to bur low for lack of oil. Still we could SC each other distinctly. 1t gradual burnt lower and lower still; up agai1 with beautiful bright light down, dow: down; then glorious brilliancy; the out.
 In a moment we were in each other arms. dipped, in springing for his throa and had both hands fastened in the necl erchief; but, in dipping, his hands sht over my head, and l was held by tt villain with his hands linked together [ the back of my neck. By this means | had the roXver of bringing my face clo, to his,sand he was savagely, biting at n like wild animal. I kept the top of m head towards his mouth as we'll as I coul and he could snap at my hair. I increa ed the pressure on his throat with all u desperation of madman, and slipped n head out of that horrible garotte. O.
 legs were entwined, and down we we
 with fearful shake, and fearful oath
 the first word that had been spoken.
 The right one does not always come u