The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-04-06
SELECT STORY.
THE FATAL EASTER.
WILD TALE OF THE MUTUAL HATRED OF
TWO CONvICTs.
BY II. MORSE.

ID a iphSOip "'i' NV Do''N'
you with my early history, but will be-
gin by stating that was sent to the
galleys, and find myself to-day an exile
Branding was not out of date by that
time and until my death l shall bear
some fiery letters on my shoulder
| was arrested, registered, condemned
and sent to Paris AS left the Court
of justice my terrible sentence rang in
my ears On the road from Paris to
Bicetre-all day and all night--till we
arrived at Toulon, the dull rolling of
the prison wagon repeated it to me.
When l look back at that time, ! think
must have been stunned by the unex-
pected severity of my doom, for have
not the slightest recollection of the par
ticulars of that journey. "Hard labor
for life!' "Hard labor for life!' | heard
nothing else; l could think of nothing
else. Late in the afternoon of the third
day the wagon stopped, the door was
unlocked, aud was led through paw
ed court into ahall that was but faint
ly lighted. Here an officer asked me
my name, which he entered in large
book, banded with iron as though it
were fettered. ......-.......
"No. 2O7," cried the officer, "green.'
Then was led into another room,
where put on the uniform of galley
slave. From this moment I lost my
individuality. l was no longer Fran
co.'s Theirry; but No. 207 The officer
was present while l was dressing.
"Hurry up!' he said; sits getting
late, and you must be married before
dinner" ...... .......
"Married?" repeated,
He laughed as he lit cigar. l was
again led through another corridor into
damp court, where wild-looking men
with clanking chains were walking up
and down before the muzzles of can
non.
"Bring No. 2O6," cried the officer,
"and then call the priest. No. 206
came in, dragging heavy chain behind
him, and with robust blacksmith.
The ring of an IRON chain was put
round my ankle and forged together
with a single stroke of the hammer. A
like ring bound me to my companion.
Each stroke re,echoed through the
arches like the scornful laugh of de-
mons The officer drew a small red
book from his pocket and said
"No. 207, listen to our prisoners
laws: If you attempt flight and fail you
will be bastinadoed. If you succeed in
getting to the harbor and are there
captured, you will be doubly chained
for three years. AS soon as you are
missed three cannon-shots will be fired
and signals of alarm will be hoisted on
each bastion. Telegraphic messages
will be sent to the harbor guards and
to the police throughout France"
After the officer had read this with a
terrible satisfaction, he relit his cigar,
put the book away, and left the hall l
was now prisoner forged to another
prisoner. AS l looked at him / found
his eyes turned toward me. He was a
sinister looking fellow, about 40 years
old, not any taller than |, but of her
culean build,
"Then YOU, too, are in for life?" he
said.
"How do you know thatt" | exelaim-
ed, angrily.
III can tell by your oap-green is for
life Why are you here I"
~ conspired against the govern
ment,"
He shrugged his shoulders contempt
uously.
"Then you're an elegant one. We
other prisoners hate such aristocratic
company"
made no answer. E.
"This il the fourth time that I've
been here continued my companion,
"Perhaps you have heard of Gasparc
the counterfeiteri"
| had heard Of the daring criminal
and drew back tremblingly from hil
gaze. An uneasy look in his eyes told
me that he had noticed my shrinking
From that moment he hated me- Gas
paro and l, with 200 other prisoners
were put to work in a stone quarry OF
| the other side of the harbor. Day afte
day and week after week, from sunris,
to sunset, the rock resounded to ou
blows, Thus spring and summer pass
ed aud autumn came. My fellow pris
oner was q Hedmoniese. He had beel
a thief, counterfeiter, iucendary, an,
when he last fled from prison he com
mitted murder, Heaven alone know
how my suferings were intensife,
through this terrible comradeship. How
| shrank from the touch of his hand
What loathing took possession of m,
when felt his breath on my face a
night tried to overcome this aversion
but in vain. He knew il as well as
and took every opportunity 10 reveng
himself in SUCH ways as only a deprav
ed mind can think of. However,
would have been of no avail to put my
self in opposition to him, and any com
| nlaint ~ tha nyaraaar would nnl,, ha a.