The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1886-04-07
A MERCILEss FELLOW.
How an Excellent Young Man
Was Taken to Prison.
The Perfldy of Friend Who Was at the
Same Time Rlval-How lie En-
Joyed Himself While His Dupe
Suffered Tortures.
TArkansas Traveler.l

TArkansas Traveler.1
Young Silas Goodman received an IN
vitation to attend character ball. He
vas at perplexing loss as TO what char
acter to assume. He wanted to startle the
people with the bold originality of his con-
ception; so, after several days of profound
thought, after he had sunk a shaft deep
down into the mine of meditation, he de-
cided to go as a convict The idea tickled
him, and jostled by his own laughter, he
tottered across the room and leaned on a
corner Of the mantelpiece. He spoke to
| friend concerning the idea The friend,
graceless fellow known as Hayfoot, ex-
| claimed:
"My dear Goodman, you are genius. 1t
Is mystery to me how you can be so orig
inal. As a convict, why, it's the very
thing. Say, have friend who is a clerk
| in the penitentiary. I'll ask him to get
| you a new suit of convict's clothes"
"Good," exclaimed Silas. "Don't forget
| it,"
"oh, Iwon't. I'll go out and see him
this evening""
In Hayfoot's evil mind there lurked a
dark design. Hayfoot and Goodman,
though friends, cast eyes Of affection up
on the same young lady.
81 think / can paralyze the young
fraud" Hayfoot unused.
The night was beautiful. The "Char
acters" danced joyously in the grand
residence of General Sodgiker. Young
Silas, as the convict, had created a sensa-
non. His fair partner said that the stripes
became him.
Hayfoot and deputy sheriff stood on
street corner. 81 am sure" said Hayfoot
that saw an escaped convict 80 into the
Generals house. Wait until your friend
comes with the wagon and then decoy the
gentleman out. | understand that he Is
dangerously insane and that he fancies
himself TO be young fellow named Silas
Goodman. The people in the house have
eheard of Goodman, and are doubtless i'm
posed upon by this desperate crank. Here
comes the wagon"
Young Goodman, toying with rose,
was talking to Miss Gaddlefy, when some
one, attracting his attention, said:
"a gentleman out at the front gate de-
sires to see you Immediately on very i'm
portant business"
Goodman went out to the gate. Some
one from behind threw a coffee sack
over the young mans head, and the
deputy sheriff, with a quick movement,
fastened pair of hand-cuffs on Good
mans hands. Goodman yelled as lond as
he could. The bass violin replied with
a loud grunt Of sarcasm, the italian harI
twanged in derision, and the hddl,
screaked in contempt, and on went tn,
dance. Goodman was placed into thu
wagon and was rapidly driven away
Whqn his captors took him into Gel
| theyrfdnoved the coffee sack.
"What in thunder does this meanf
Goodman exclaimed.
"Be quiet" the officer replied, cor WEI
gag you"
"Where am II"
ain the penitentiary, where you be
long"
"Penitentiary am not a convict. lar
Silas Goodman, book-keeper for"
eyes, that's all right, Silas. Quiet your
self down and you'll doubtless be all righ
by morning"
Hayfoot entered. Silas uttered an ex
clamation of delight. "Hayfoot, than
Heaven you are here. See what thes
wretches have done. Tell them"
~ don't know you," Hayfoot coldly re
piled. 81 only know that you are an es
capped convict and that these men hav
done their duty"
"Come, Hayfoot, this devilish joke ha
gone far enough"
~ must say that you are very peculia
man." Hayfoot rejoined. "My frien'
Jackson, who Is one Of the main men here
will see that your wants are supplied
Goodnight"
Goodman spent terrible night Earl.
the next morning he was taken from hi
cell. He attempted 10 explain, but the su
perintendent replied:
"You may be a triae crazy, but CUES
you are able to work. Bring him down I
brick yard, boys"
"Oh, dearn groaned Goodman. II
pleaded but to no purpose. He was hur
ried along with gang Of men and wa
compelled to work. Once he stopped for
, moment. A leather strap, athleticall
handled, wasstretched across him. Will
. he was at work, almost too tired to move
! he looked up just in time to see the gil
whom he loved and Hayfoot driving pas
Goodman was released the next day
lie borrowed gun and started out to loo
for Hayfoot, but soon learned that tn
: merciless fellow and the young lady ha
gone away on bridal tour.