Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-01-13

VI
f" Now, really, Fletcher don't you
rather prefer an interview Of this kind to
one of those lallygagging sort you have
had so many of lately2 Twill do you
more good--ten to one. What are you
doing now?
" Giving him one more look, that is
all. Murdererl robber wretch want
to engrave his picture on my brain so
indelibly that | never can forget single
feature"
By the crown, your old man must
have had Tartarl Oh, no, no, hol'
and the fat turnkey shook his fat sides
with laughter. II don't believe he's got
it much better where he is staying now
than he had with you Ittakes woman
to use the King s English. | Ialways said
so, now | know it, !"
Mrs. Lancaster drew her veil over her
face, and quietly left the prison. As
soon as he dared, with trembling fingers,
Lloyd drew forth the glove In it was
vial containing mixture of chloroform
or ether a. small sharp instrument to file
his shackles, and note. Ii 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 your
self.
Lloyd with a wildly beating heart, con-
cealed the articles and tried to think.
The keeper did not enter the cell till he
brought mis- tea, and how could he ac-
complish his purpose then2 There
would be too many astir in the prison
then, and he might be detected.
" Defeated now, with the weapons of
deliverance in my hands No, indeed,
Lloyd Fletcher "
" Fletcher, | suppose you know that
according to the prison rules you are
not allowed to stay alone tonight 1t
would be barbarous to leave a feller
without good company his last night on
earth, said the turnkey, an hour or two
after Mrs Lancaster's visit.
You'll have to take your pick be-
tween old Father Walsh and myself but
/ suppose you will take me, bad as you
hate me, afore that hypocrite.
why cant | have my wife2" asked
Lloyd, with voice full of bitterness.
"Oh, wives amt allowable on such
occasions. She'll be around in the
morning an hour or two but talk quick,
which will you have7"
What difference do you think it
makes to me, you heartless wretch, who
watches with my last moments on earth,
when my only friend is denied me2"
So it was arranged. The turnkey was
to occupy his cell, and Lloyd went to
work with his little instrument to file the
handouts and chain which bound him.
1t was slow and tedious, but in an hour
time he had the satisfaction of one free
hand, and had the power to remove his
limbs from the CALLING, rattling torments
which had so firmly held him.
"I must be able to throw these fetters
off, or | am lost" So he worked away
industriously until the obstinate link was
displaced, and he could wear or leave
them off at his pleasure. Ten o'clock
arrived and the turnkey had his cot
brought in the CELL
When are you going to turn in,
Fletcher2 I'm as tired as an East
India niger. Plaguey afraid ] shan't
be much company tonight; better had
the priest. You wrote all your letters
yesterday, Fletcher, didn't your and
the keeper yawned deeply, turned once or
twice, and in FIVE minutes was snoring
profoundly.
Now is my time" thought Fletcher.
:" 1t will not do to wait. Heaven help
me"
Noiselessly he stepped from the
chains and drew off the torturing hand.
cuffs. 1t was but the work of a moment
to saturate the handkerchief with the
mixture, and in less time than it takes
to tell it, Lloyd had stripped the hard
ened wretch. There was a trifiing diff
ference in hight, and Lloyd lacked the
sldermanio proportions of the jailer.
However, he managed that quickly 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 subor-
nate guarded the entrance, and so Lloyd
and the doctor walked out together
without exciting the slightest suspicion
He reached the old rookery, donned
his attire, which proved to be a soldiers
uniform, removed the black wig Of the
keeper, and substituted light, curly
one, and before twelve o'clock had
reached the house of friend, two or
three miles from the city, told his story,
and was warmly received and promised
Lloyd felt sure he had left |
no clue by which he could be traced to
this spot, and, almost overcome by his |
great happiness, he fell on his knees
and thanked the God he had previously |
foresworn, for his miraculous escape.
The next morning all was astir in the
prison, but our turnkey did not make
his appearance; what could it mean? A
key was produced to open the cell door,
and the nude, inanimate figure of the fat
keeper was presented 70 their astonished
view. In the middle of the cell was the
prisoner wardrobe; all he could spare
from the makeup Of the turnkey's lusty
A little cold water and
fresh air revived him, but he could throw
no Dgnt on the my yStefiOus ulSdppedr-
ance Of Fletcher. He had seen nothing
knew nothing, and remembered nothing.
Mrs. Fletcher was arrested on suspicion
Of assisting her husband to escape, but
nothing could be proven, and few days
saw her at liberty. She was confident
hat her darling was safe, but could
form no idea Of the mode, or where be
was concealed. However, now that so
much was gained, she felt that she could
aRord to wait for the rest. Large rewards
we're offered for the prisoners apprehen-
lion, large posters we're placarded every
where. eE sHa .ss ssssct;gcs %ssS se' 20
xors. 10 ferret out his hiding-plaee, but
n vain. When the excitement was at
ts hight, the antemortem statement and
confession Of Q dying man were brought