Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-11-07
IN a PRISON CELL.

Ferdinand Ward mas Deon put 10 WORK
shovelipg ashes. Tuesday all day long from
the breakfast hour till dinner time and then
with an interval for his midday meal till
evening, he kept patiently, uncomplain.
ingly at work. He wore convicts suit Of
gray with its broad, black horizontal stripes.
He had been sent at first 70 the stove
mounting shop to take his first lesson 10
filing castings, but as no bench had heen
provided for him the lesson was postponed
until next day, and it was determined to
send Ward 10 the engine room to shovel
ashes. He was assigned to his post, took
up his shovel and went to work bravely.
He kept on steadily until the bell sounded
at 11:30, when he washed his hands. fell
into line as the gong was struck at noon,
marched to the mess-room and partook
heartily of pork, cabbage, potatoes and cof-
fee At 1910 the working whistle sounded,
and few minutes found Ward at work in
front of the hot fires. He had to retreat
once in while and go up to the room
above TO seek temporary relief from the
suflocating temperature.
A New York Tribune reporter who gained
admission to the room of the principal keep
er was granted an interview with Ward.
Ward dropped his shovel and came to the
office. He entered the room, cap in hand,
and recognized the visitor, saying somewhat
hesitatingly, How are you?' Then he
paused as ifto be spoken to. His peculiar
submissiveness was his most distinct and
striking characteristic.
"How are you getting along?"
Every WE'LL" was his quiet reply, II am
sure have nothing to complain Of"
Have you begun your work here yet?"
swell, yes, have been shoveling ashes
to-day"
"Do you find it hard work ?"
swell, do find it pretty hard work. You
SEQ I'm not used to this sort of thing"
"Have you done manual labor before?n
mo, have not"
you haven't blistered your hands,
hope," said the visitor.
'Well, 1 have, though" Ward replied,
smiling family for the first time. He ex-
tended his lefG hand and showed blister as
large as pea on the inside of his left
thumb. He added that he had found the
heat "pretty strong," and had had to seek
the air several times for a breathing spell.
81 don't know how long l can stand this"
he said, thoughtfully, "but | am going to
do my best. an here and shall do every
thing I am told to the best of my ability"
"Do you feel the result of the days work
much?"
'.Yes, do,'' was the frank reply, and
Ward added with shrug of doubt: Its
pretty tough work and feel played out"
"Ward," said convict clerk who occupied
a desk in au adjoining room, "has already
won the good will of every man with whom
be has come in contact. He is so gentle
manly and delicate, so submissive and will
ling, that there isn't q man here who will
not lend him q helping hand. At this rate
the hardest criminal hero will take to him
in a few days. He is not at all ''stuck up
as some keepers have said but he makes
himself one of US and has the good will of
US ALL"
At $50 the whistle announcing that the
days work was over was sounded, Ward
dropped his shovel and turned from the fires,
reached the open air, washed his ssore hands,
fell into line and marched past the low table
in the open court, with its load Of brown
bread, helping himself to two large slices
and then went on with his gang to cell No.
927, on the fourth tier. There he found his
cup of coffee waiting for him, drank it as he
ate his bread and then settled down with
his books to read by his kerosene lamp until
3 d. m.