The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-19

any, lie rummaged among the clothing, ana,
tossing q pair OF trousers 10 Burke, told MIN 70
"ge him into 'em, somehow or other.n AS stood
up the waistband would not meet by two inches.
But the genius OF Mr.. Burke was equal TO the oc-
CASTOR. lie is evidently student OF Charles
Dickens. and mas read sam Weller's story OF how
the boy at last robbed the old gentleman with the
big corporation OF mis- gold watch, the SAID old
gentleman being III the haplt OF amusing himself
by standing and looking into picture shops, &c,
and allowing the street thieves 10 tug away at his
watch guard, knowing that his waistband was too
light 10 allow or the watch being drawn out.
After two futile efforts 10 make the waist
band of my prison trousers meet, Mr. Burke drew
back, and, excaiming, an teach you to swell
your belly out ike that struck me
blow with his nst in the diaphragm.
The effect was immediate ana magical.
When recovered from the momentary
shock found. to my surprise, that the Top button
was fastened ana that Mr.. Burke's nimble fingers
were quickly running down the others. eS-
planned to ham that the trousers were so tight
that felt as though were In strat-waist-
coat He gave sort OF hyena grin as ne replied,
Never mind, they'll be damned sight 100 big for
you inside OF a week" Mr.. Burke's sagaclty was
not at fault. The trousers stretched and shranE,
and be ore finally discarded those trousers they
were really TOO large for me. But, then, lost ex
voluntary incarceration-that Is, according to the
scales OF the st. NIcnoias HOTEL FallY arrayed In
the PRISON uniform waited anyiously TO see what
they would 10 with clothes. Fortunately, though
not worth five cents, knew they were clean, as
their impoverished appearance was not the result
oil wear. Still IL was possible that Mr.. Burke
might not give them chance, but send them
of e. the "vermin house, VITA the clothing Of the
dlrtY prisoners He pronounced them clean,
however, and tney were tied III bundle and
carried up stairs. o. Mr.. Burke On, Mr.. James
McDonougal could you have only known that
had a ten dollar bill sewed In each leg OF those
trousers, how happy you would nave beenl Can
YOU be surprised then, at my anxiety to keep them
out CT your clutches But circumstances spared
you the temptation. You DID not dream OF the
small mine OF wealth contained In that shabby
old garment, and you have one sin the less to
answer for. / nad moreover, TWO dollars IN small
change in my right sock, three single dollar bills
in my left sock, and some single
bills aud small change rolled In the
folds of my faded old Northumberland
DO you not think, gentlemen, that had you been
aware OF these matters. you would have seen that
had d private dressing room. With no eyes to
watchgou while engaged In dressing me' think
that | should never have had two such wiling
va cts. Only two men OF the party interested ne
the sailor of whom have already spoken, and an
elderly man, who seemed terribly dowhcast at
finding himself In prison. The latter bewailed his
fate and spoke OF himself with mixture OF bitter
ness and pity. 1t was evident that he had seen
better days Indeed, he told me as muchi nut
said that after the death of his wife, TWO years
ago, he had unfortunately sougnt com ort for mis-
sorrows IN the cup. his business mad slipped
away from MIN, his friends had deserted him. and
hs present position was the climax OF his troubles.
happier days, and his grief for his degradation
seemed Co be deep and sincere. An, Dante how
true are your words:-
che rcordarsi del tempo felice
Nella miseria.
NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR.
had been warned by Mr.. Bailey that the prison
authorities would put me to work, and thatit would
be necessary TO bethink me Of some occupation
suitable TO my powers. Therefore. when had been
asked in wnat way had been In the habit OF earn
Ing living, had replied that was carriage
driver. This enabled the comparative wilderness
and softness or my hands to pass muster. On
leaving the dressing room, then, /, 10 company
with one other prisoner, was marched on to the
stables. when are located about hall mule away
nom the prison. ON my way had my first insight
into the brutahtles OF prison life. Some distance
10 tne right OF US were gangs Of men
working in the nelds. Ono OF the prisoners
was apparently loadng over his work, and
a keeper, or BOSS. swung a cudgel aloft and
brought it down with such force on tue poor TEL
lows shoulder that thought rhe blow must nave
broken his collar bone. The man had no chance
OF lodging the cudgel, for he had his back turned
to the keeper at the moment he was struck. Now,
we all know that the class OF men who are sent up
70 the Island eau be aud undoubtedly are very
ugly in Their temper at times, but there are pun
4 L.
been tue duty OF the Keeper 10 report the man II
his orences demanded 1t, not to strike him in the
savage fashion he did. know ron personal ac-
ouaintance that there are no two kinder hearted
men in the world than Mr. Isaac II. Bailey and
MI. Thomas Brennan; no two men more deslrous
OF conscientousy managing the vast interests
committed TO their charge, and feel con-
WINGED that such conduct on the part OF
the Keepers would not be tolerated for
one moment. Unfortunately, these things
are never done wnen they are around; they are.
therefore, in ignorance OF their ever being done,
and II a prisoner were 10 maze complaint the
Keepers would oil stand by one another and swear
that ne was lying. The second day was In the
prison a PeDitentiary man came down 70 the
stables ior some drinking water for his gang. He
had been struck on the head by bis Keeper the DAY
before a blow so severe that 1t is a wonder that
his skull was not fractured. A large space on the
side OF the poor fellows mead was shaven and
plastered up. de assured me That ne had com.
mltted q most trivial fault. Such treatment VIII
cnanQe the most docile into the most refractory
prisoner 10 very short time, and Is doubtless
sometimes the cause OF the murderous attacks on
Keepers OF which we read from time TO time. The
Commissioners ought 90, ana doubtless will enact
some very stringent regulations against striking
prisoners, now that the matter has been brought
to their notice.
MRMBER OF THE STABLE GANG.
was duly installed as one Of the "stable gang"
and far from relished the general demeanor or
tone Of voice OF our ''boss" before l had been
naIf an hour under his orders. he appears to be
Jamillarly addressed az 'Joen by bis brother
keepers, and TO rejoice 10 the surname OF Cum.
mlngs. Well have no hesitation ia saying that
Mr. Cummings IL anous the surliest, sulkiest speci
men OF humanity with whom u has ever fallen 70