The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1874-02-19
IDAHO WORLD.
SHERIFF THORNE.
BIZ !. T. rRowBRIDGE.

SHERIFF THoRNE
BIZ !. T. rRowBR1DGE.
That should be Sheriff, and keep the jail.
And that yonder stately old fellow. you see
Marching across the yard, Should be
NV prisoner-well, it's q curious tale,
As you'll agree.
For it happens, we've been here once before
Together and served our time-although
Not Just as you US now. you know;
When we were younger both by score
OF years. or so. -
When was wild colt two-thirds grown
Too wild for ever curb or rein.
Playing my tricks till needn't explain;
got three months at breaking stone.
With ball and chain. leIt
The fodder was mean, and the work was hard,
And work and could never agree, - y
And the discipline-well. in short you see.
Twas rather q rougish kind OF card
That curried me!
stout steel bracelet about my leg
caunon-shot and chain at my feet,
4 pounded the stones in the public street,
With heart crammed full Of hate as Al egg
Is full OF meat.
The schoolboys jeered at my prison rig,
And me, if l moved, they used to call
For went with jerk. if went at ally
"a gentleman dancing the jai-bird jig
AT county Dali!
But once, as I sat in the u sual place,
On heap OF stones. and hammered away
At the rocks with heart as hard as they,
And cursed Macadam and all his race,
There CHANGED that way.
Sir, the loveliest girl! don't mean pretty.
But there was that in her troubled eye,
In her sweet. sad glance. as she passed me by.
That seemed like an angels gentle pity
For such as l.
And sir. to my soul that pure look gave
Such thrill as a summer morning brings,
With its twitter and tlutter OF songs and wings,
To one crouched all night long in q cave
OF venomous things.
Down the broad green street she passed from sight
But all that day was under spell.
And all that night remember we'll
A pair of eyes made kind OF light
That flied my cell.
Women can do with us what they will;
Twas only village GIRL but she,
With the flash of glance, had shown to mo
The wretch was, and the self stil
Might strive to be-
And il in my misery began
To feel fresh hope and courage, sir
To turn my back upon things that were,
And my face to the future of man
Twas all for her.
And that is my story And as for the lady?
saw her-oh yes-when free,
And thanked her. and-well, come with me;
As likely as not when supper is ready,
She'll pour your tea.
She keeps my house; and ksep the Jail;
And the stately old fellow who passed just now,
And tipped ME that Very peculiar bow
But that is the wonderful part OF the tale,
AS you'll allow.
For he, you must know. was Sheriff then,
And he guarded me as / guard him!
1.-THE fetter wore now fits his limb,1
Just one of your high-hown, straight-laced men,
Pompous and grim
The great Mogul OF our little town,
But while was struggling TO redeem
My youth. he sank in the worlds esteem;
My stock went up, while his went down,
Like the ends OF beam.
What fault? Twas not one fault alone
That brought him low, but treacherous train
Or vices sapping the heart and brain,
Then came his turn at breaking stone
With a ball and chain.
1t seemed, admit, sort of treason,
To clip him, and give him the cap and ball.
And that was keeper seemed worst OF all,
And nov. in word. If you ask the reason
or this mans fall
Twas a woman again-is my reply
And 80 said. and say Ii still,
That women can do with us what they will:
Strong men they turn With the twirl OF an eye
For good or i'll.