The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-05-28

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once during her pacing in front Of the
Jail door she stopped to adjust boot
lace, or some such matter, in a fashion
that showed an intire absence Of delica-
cy, and at the same time showed por-
ton Of limb which might have done
credit to an athlete in the highest state OF
training. was fairly puzzled, and none
the less so that had twice noticed her
ringing the prison bell, and that l
knew there was but one individual
to be discharged that morning, and it
was close upon my time to go and look
after him. had barely finished my last
cup of coffee when one of the prison war
dens came across to say that the wife Of
my prisoner was waiting outside, and
had twice made demand to see him; but
that the governor did not care to acceed to
the request without first consulting me.
After casting the matter over in my own
mind for minute, told the warden
that did not mind the woman being adj
mitted, but that the two ought to be very
closely watched during the interview.
The man re-entered the prison, and with
in a few minutes I observed that the
woman was called in.
Punctial to my time, crossed over to
the prison, and found my charge waiting
for me, his wife being still with him,
and no one in the room but the governor.
Contrary to my expectations, the prison
CT held up his wrists and submitted to be
handcuffed with the most lamb-like do
cility. ...
When we got into the street I suggest
ed, as there was time to spare, that the
stalwart pair should have bit of break
fast at my expense, before starting on the
journey for town. l thought the woman
seemed little taken aback at my invi-
tation; however, it was acceeded to, and
we entered the inn parlor: where l re-
quested the landlady to produce plenti
full supply of ham and eggs; and, as the
pair preferred ale to tea or coffee, I Or
dered them pint apiece. I had, of
allow my prisoner the free use of his
knife and fork; and, after what I had
heard the night before, I thought it was
rather a risky thing for me to do, as,
though he might not attempt to do me
any mischief he might try to inflict some
serious mischief on himself. All, however,
passed off safely, and when breakfast was
finished, I told him he must bid his wife
good-by, as I did not want to attract any
attention at the railway station. A kiss
was accordingly exchanged, the bracelets
were again adjusted to his wrists, and we
set off at brisk pace.
When we got to the station, learned
that the next ''up'' train was an express
and that would have to look sharp, as il
might be expected Immediately, and
made but brief stoppage. The train, in
fact, came in almost to minute after the
information was communicated to me
and I hurried across the platform, got
my man into a second-class carriage
the compartment had only just time tt
notice was empty. The whistle sounded
and the train was beginning to move
when the door was flung violently open
and in jumped the prisoners wife, taking
her seat right opposite me. There wa
but time for the porter to slam to the doc
when we were off. 1t need not be sale
that was very far from being satisfied
with the look of things, and that ha(
made up my mind to be carefully on m,
guard. l said nothing, being fully de
termined not to betray any uneasiness
though it must be owned I felt much
Before we had gone any great way, m,
prisoner turned sideways to me, and said
"Master, my missus and me have som
small matters Of our own we would lik
to talk over, and, as they don't concer
you in the least, praps you wouldn't min
looking out o. winder for minute or tw
: | while we have orr talk,
} "That I could not possibly do" was m
immediate answer. my duty is to kee
) you always under my eye and contro
and, beside, as you have Just said, you
? domestic arrangements can be matte
4 OF no concern to me, so you can discus
[ them as freely as you please w1thor
r mlndlng my presence"
This answer seemed to discomfort bot
of them; but, as if by way of compromis
: I at the same time leaned toward tn
K window Of the carriage for moment, an
: glanced outside. My hearing is shar
Z enough now, but at the time I speak
/ was even more acute. Just as 1 turne
: my head heard, or fancied heard tn
;, man whisper the words "Both together
+ Instantly the suspicion flashed across m
o mind that these words related to mysel
8 and turned round and faced the coup
/ in moment. What saw in the e,
preston Of each Of them seemed to wa
y rant my acting with immediate decision
l. l seized the man between his manacle
# wrists SO that he could not raise his hand
f With an instructive thought, l plunge
l. my light hand into the pocket of my pill
i coat, pulled out the pistol my mate ha
handed to me, cooked it with my thumb
d and holding it within few inches Of tt
; face Of the woman opposite, I locke
:, steadily into her eyes and said, with en-
r phasis, eff you attempt to stir before "
d reach the next station, you will certain]
G be dead woman!'
f 1t was something fearful to notice tt
+ immediate change on that woman's cou1
t tenance. She became OF pallid whit,
i ness, and her lips had the purple bluis
2 tinge that indicates so Enthusiastically a
$ excess of deadly fear. In the highl y DIR,
Il matte positions have just. described "
r sped on until the next stopping static
e was reached, and that occupied mo-
n than twenty minutes. The moment tt