Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-02-17
NO. Z.

tne numerous enueaVorS at escape, made at
different times by desperate oonvicts Many
of these anecdotes have gone the rounds of
the press. One prisoner secreted himself in
barrel of swiiI, with a cabbage over his
head, but his ingenious devise was detected.
The same prisoner, few days ago, tried to
make his escape by jumping passing
freight train. He is now reclining on the
Led Of roses, where he may sing Love among
the Roses" until he succeeds in his escape
With all the vigilance exercised, many escape,
never to be recaptured. The female prison
is new structure, which resembles the
Charlestown court>huuse. Here, $50 females
pass away their monotonous time. At fve
o'clock all the prisons were locked up for the
night, visitors withdrew, and many of the
guards went home.
At the hotel Smikes and were sitting in
the snte-room, waiting for supper. Then
Smikes said, 80 that hill reminds you of
Harpers Ferry 2' He had no sooner men,
toned the word Harpers Ferry. than big
loafer with rubber boots, black hands and a
black eye, said "Hsrper's Ferry, eh Well,
that's where old Brown made the noise. Set
down aud tell me all about it." l told him
all | knew about the Brown raid. Three
loafers more came in, placed their feet on the
stove, and obliged me once more to commence
my narrative. y black boy brought the land
lord and bar-keepsr to hear me tell about old
Brown. One Of the bOarders was deaf. so |
wrote what | had learned from The Annais
Of AUPer'S Ferry on old atlas for his
Perusal. 4 fat waiter brought me a slate to
draw picture of Brown on it. | felt like a
second Mast, AS | endcavored to draw old
Browns phiE on the slate. but some of the
spectators asked me if that was map of Har.
per's Ferry then I didn't feel like second
Mast. The idea of taking picture of John
Brown for map of IIarper's Ferry. or any
other place l tried TO sketch the ladder that
the marines used to hurst in the engine house
door with, but smikes told them | was now
drawing some Of the spears the old man had
furnished to tho negroes. Smikcs knows
nothing about the art of drawing, for he told
them that picture of the engine house, which
| sketched, was the scaffod old Brown had
swung on.
dare say every boy, man and woman in
Sing Sing knows the history of old Brown
remember Sing Sing has fourteen thousand
inhabitants And all on account of Sm;kes
Mrs. Smikes told the warden OF the prison
that he (Smikes) would like to send his boy
to Sing Siog prison to graduate. ''Why so.
Mr. Smikes 2" asked the warden. 'sWell -
replied Smjkes, 81 intend to send my boy to
Congress after he comes out of Sing Sing"
4 deacon-a great temperance man-camo
into tho Hoffman House. while Smikes was
cracking some jokes. Smikes wanted to get
drink, out of temperance man, so he pre-
tended to be suddenly taken with cramps. for
he ssid 'Is there church member in this
place? I'm dyin' let him help me for
have no money" The deacon told Smikes
that he had the honor of being n church mem,
Der; and what could he DO for the unfortunate
man. ooh" groaned Smikes," give me a
little gi-gi-gir, or I'll die, ard the mems
hors Of your church will have to bury me, for
I'm member of the same church with you"
The deacon called for the gin, and Smikes got
better instantly.
When We had reached the station, to take
the cars to the city, a man cHme running after
US to know how many ruuas were in the ladder
that the marines used at EIarper's Ferry
didn't know. Though its an honor to he a
Harpor's Eerrian, vet I'll never mention it
again white visiting.
GALE PARTINGroN,
Alias "Ex- Haypcrs Ferrian "