Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-03
WARD sHOVELING ASHES.
Mss Hands DlissereA ~ Mas Ws-k.

from the New 1ork Iripunes to0Ay.
If visitor to the Sing Sing prison yesterday
had passed through the two fron gratings
which stand as perpetual sentinels at the gates
of that huge pile OF masonry, had then skirted
the courtyard with Its carpetine OF green set
Of at its center with flowers, had walked thence
down the stone walk toward the Hudson and
turned abruptly to his LETT going on till he
came to brick structure. had entered that
building aud then had descended flight OF
steps, he would have found himself 4 super
heated room where the pulsations q mighty
engine shook the walls and where pent " nre-
places gave out a tremendous rush OF heat Nhen
their doors were opened. In front OF one large
boiler stood barrG partly filled with coal ashes.
Beside il stopped man OF slender form, with
pale lace, who grasped shovel, pushed II into
the ashes under the huge boiler before MINI
lifted the shoveltul and Strengthening hinseu
deposited his load In the barrel. All DAY ionS
from the breakfast hour till dinner time ana
then with an interval for his midday meai III
evening, he kept patiently, uncompiainingg'
at work. He wore n convicts SUIT Oh gray,
with its broad. black horizontal stripes. MS
name was Ferdinand Ward.
lie had risen AT $50 at the sound OF the Sislng
bell, had dressed and washed himself, SaSen
MS bucket lila his right hand, and, at OIL a. IN,
when The prison was opened for the day, "a
fallen In as the ninth man from the leadeyl
marched from his cell, No. 92s, down three
lights of stairs to the first floor thence In lock
man before him. to the spot where the buckets
are emptied. Then he resumed his tramp 10
was Keeper Scripture. Wards seat was near,,,c;
In the center OF the room, nearly filled with ite
loo occupants. His manner was subdSSl,
the other 200 men. He had a good appetite.
He had been relieved OF the presence OF convict
Ulrich, who passed the first night in a cell VIII
him, and had slept we'll; he ate hearth Of
good beef hash, nicely Drowned, with back
coffee, and the wholesome brown bread tor
rose from rom p' the table. ' fell in with WI" his
gang, and the march that followed
took him south, then toward the Hud-
to the top ef door * the Ssesemoansns shop. He
was ready to take mis- first lesson I'm filing east
ings But that was to be deferred until to-
morrow. because IL was found that no bench
had been provided for him. Keeper Scripture
conferred with Principal Keeper Connaughton,
and it WAS determined to send Ward TO 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 1880, when he washed his
noon, marched to the messroom, and pariook
heartily of pork, cabbage, potatoes and coffee.
At 12:4O the work whistle sounded and lew
minutes found Ward at work in front of the hot
fires. He had to retreat once in a while and go
up to the room above to seek temporary relief
from the suffOcatng temperature.
At a few minutes OF p. IN. a Tribune reporter
was seated in the room OF Principal Keeper
Connaughton, when q subordinate informed
a desire TO see him. Mr.. Connaugh ton sent for
Ward, who dropped his shovel and came to the
office. He entered the room, cap in hand, end
recognized the visitor, saying somewhat hest
tatingly, "How are you?- Then he paused, as
Ii to be spoken to- His peculiar submissiveness
was his most distinct and striking character
iStc. His salutation was returned by the re-
porter who asked, "Have you begun your work
here yeti"
Well, yes; have been shoveling ashes to
day."
"Do you find it hard work."
Ward said: "Well, do find it pretty hard
work. You see I'm not used to this kind of
thing"
Have you done manual labor before:"
mo, have not"
You haven't blistered your hands, hope"
said his visitor.
well, have, though" Ward replied, smil-
Ing family for the first time. He extended his
left hand and showed blister as large pea
on the inside of his left thumb. He added that
he had found the heat "pretty strong and had
had TO seek the upper air several times for
breathing spell. 81 don't know how long can
stand this" he said thoughtfully, "but / am
going to do my best. am here, aud shall do
everything am told to the best of my ability"