The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-12-03
VOLUME 8.

4 ~ - ~ &AA -
although. in my present Position, there
was much to annoy; although the per-
sonal indignity cf my arrest and the
mystery that hung over my immediate
/ future might make even the most stolid
philosopher uneasy, there were some
crnmbs Of comfort to be got frsm the
ludicrous ahsurditv of the whole affair
Happily, in this Ouf-of-the-way spot
/ three was no one to recognize me as the
branded felon borne back in fetters To
the prison from which had escaped. IL
| the chief in Crutched FriArs were Close
nj hand. or even fhe melancholy inter-
eStingg yonng lady whose glances had
| piercrd my blue spectacIes. | might
have hnnR my head, but ] knew that,
after all, this was only case of tempor-
ary Inconvenience; could not fail. soon
er or later. to succeed in proving my
| identity, and that must then be at once
set free Barring the personal discom-
forts, the loss Of a good suit of clothes.
etc, and the escape Of some hardenad
wretch, thanks to my unconscious assist
apce, the presentwas curious expert
ence, which few were likely to compass
In this way argued myself into laugh
/ ing almost at this excellent practical
Joke, in which Self was the principal
sufferer, and the end Of which. for all !
knew, might still be indefinitely delay
ed
Away, in the twilight cleaning, over
the downs for a mile or two, and along
the white, winding chalk roads, to the
more level and wooded country; then
past farms, and between tall hedgerows
and struggling villages. until we reached
the outskirts of Weymouth; then through
the lighted streets and parsdes of the
fashionable Watering places, alive with
gay company and merry muslc; treading
our way across tbs bridge, amongst docks
and wbarves and shipping. till at length
we emerged upon the long. fiat cause
way that tops the Chesil Bank and joins
Portland TO the mainland. The night
had fallen, but the glory of full moon
4 flooded everything with light. On each
side of the ridge slept the quiet sea, be-
meath the twinkling stars, and right in
front loomed the massive promontory of
Portland, couched like lion against
the moon lit sky.
Miles high it seemed, that hill. q ter
rible ascent, steep as the climb. that faces
many who have also travelled ibis road
IL, when once again free. they seek TO
struggle from crime to honesty. My
courage sank somewhat during the long
grsdiens and. byitIse time we reached
the gloomy portals of the prison it WA
.at it's lowest ehb. The place was lonel
band silent rs the tomb; solitary lamI
+ flIckered above the heavy gates, touch
ing with spots of Inster the tips Of TIE
steel nails that studded all their panels
One of my escort jumped out and touch
ed deep-toned bell, and the next min
ute little window. some six incher
square, was opened in the door, AMI
through it / saw the gleam of two white
leyeballs, belonging doubtless to tht
same head from which now came yer!
gruff and threatening:
+weII?"
We've got himl"
/ Instantly the voice changed. II was
clear the escape was the source of deep
anxiety to all at Portland, and that this
was joyful news.
i "What! RaschkofT? For these and
all other mercies, the Lords name be
praised" AS if I, in my character Of
Roschkof, was very excellent dinner
about to be digested.
With solemn, changing sound the
heavy doors swung back upon tht
hinges: and was inside. Almost like
clock-work they closed again behind me
and although knew my incarceration
was certain to be short, felt quite as /
hope were already extiDguished from
my breast. At that moment ] woult
gladly have purchased immediate re
lease at any price; and l asked indignant
ly to see the Governor at once.
"He says he's Mr.. John Wray, oi
Crutched Friars," said the policeman
with n grin.
"Always was tn artfull est villain
out" replied the gate-keeper, pointing
to me menacingiy with his heavy key
, "It's not the first time he's done il
: neither; calls himself gentleman be
/ cause he was convicted of some gentee
, crime, forgery. or like that. He wa
away six months last time, but We nah
! he'd him then. just as You have now
But he made his 'guv' again this morn
/. ing in fog, and got away again a
! smooth as butter. It's here to-day witt
him and gone to- morrow"
> "Ay, and back again at night" sal
: the sailor, profoundly.
j. "T insist on seeing the Governor"
e said.
"That you will, and sooner than 20
IS care to, either. He'll be in this ofic
j. about nine Tomorrow morning, and he
have something to say to you, suspec
Is private and particular"
: There's no call for us to watt" sal
] the policeman; i've can look mp this wa
in the morning for our reward"
n "OfT you go, then; but yon bette
y stay in the village tonight; the MaiC
d might want to speak to you to-morro'
u Good night"
Is "Good night"
re The gates were opened again, my la
companions issued forth, and in anoth'
e minute ] heard the sound of their whee
e. retreating down the hill. Immediatel
n afterward was ordered to move on
II the inner gate.
l. There was a second gate under Il
Of archway, dozen feet from the ont
~ doors. This was Of open iron-work ar
n between the bars could see the tall ou
is lines Of the prison buildings. just
IL wa uot N IN inner gate n man apuroac