River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-07-31
From the July Overland.
"411."

I'll.
"411?"
"That's me, sir"
"Let me see your arm"
Its all right, sir"
"All right, is it? In my humble
opinion it's about as wrong as wrong
can be"
All looked down mt the bruised flesh
and broken bones he had affirmed to
be "all right with half contemptu-
Gus smile, and then, resigning himself
to the inevitable, laid quietly Watching
the white hands Of the young doctor as
he prepared splints, ,bandages, ETC., and
commenced the work of setting the
bone, now rendered doubly difficult by
the swelling of the bruised flesh.
The light of the setting sun stole into
the room, illuminating with sudden
glory the bare walls and comtortless
surroundings. and throwing into strong
relief the two figures which gave life to
the picture. The doctors frank, good
humored face, slight easy figure and
air of careless good breeding could no
have been out of place under any cir
cumstances; but the other seemed
strangely in unison with, and yet in
contradiction to, bis surroundings
His muscular frame might have served
as model for strength and beauty
Hercules in a prison dress His
hands, roughened and hardenedby toll,
had been rs tender and well-shaped as
the doctors own. His face, bronzed
by exposure to all weathers, was still
high and refned-aquiline feat
ures, clear, brave eyes, and above all,
the close cropped hair of convict He
had that air of reserve, totally distinct
from rudeness, which only well.breed
people possess, and which impresses
even the most vulgar and obtuse.
Though the sensitive mouth betrayed
his delicate, nervous organization, moth
ing could be more stoical than the com
posture with which he bore the torture
he was suffering.
Why on earth, man, don't you say
something, or cry out" exclaimed the
doctor, half impatiently.
Noticing the gathering whiteness
around his patients lips, the doctor
hastily poured something in a glass.
and, bidding him drink it, went quickly
on with his work. After a few minutes
silence he glanced up suddenly.
What's that p pointing to small
blue figure on the brawny wrist.
"That? OF my crest. Ibid il when
| was a boy, said the man indiiIerently.
"Your crest? ?"
did | say that2" and a flush crept
over his face. 81 must have been
dreaming people do dream, sometimes,
don't they ?"
The doctor did not answer. but looked
keenly at him, as he turned away his
head with a short, embarrassed laugh
"What is your name ?"
"No. AL"
al don't mean that / mean your
name, persisted the doctor.
Jim Brown.
DIR. Harris laughed. "Jim Brown
Why don't YOU say Bill Scroggins One
name would suit rs we'll rs the other
Ill frowned slightly. Why should
l tel You my name
I'm sure | don't know was the
answer unless because I want you
TO. That crest on your arm is very
like my own. thought perhaps we
were related.
"And if we were? You wouldn't own
me-.
"Why not? I'm not a bad fellow in
my way, neither do | think you are.
Why shouldn't I own You ;"
The man raised himself ON his arm,
and looked searchingly in the doctors
face.
+" \ convict ?" he said, slowly.
Well, said the doctor, dryly, -
don't see much society except convicts,
ut present, and can't say but what
like them as well as / do those who
think themselves u good deal better.
Two found out IL isn't always the worst
that arc caught, by any means. I'm a
radical You must know he added
quantity and very much disapproved
of 10y the family.
Ill looked ont into the Gathering
darkness for some minutes, and then
said, quietly:
Well, sir, II You care 10 hear con
yicts story. sit down awhile. I've
never told IL 81 any one, and | don't
know why | should tell il 20 You: hut
the moods ON me, and l might as well
talk rs think, maybe; and then you've
guessed my secret partly-at least. Won
know lmnot Jim Brown and a smile