Little Falls transcript., 1886-04-02

said to myself; II must be out Of this
before then. Now for 1t. 4, Iremov
the .cistern for the last time, pulled
from their hiding place the coils and
irons, and with a thrust or. two sent
the thin portion OF wall into. the ward
below. then fastened g. bar of iron
ito each end ofthe rope. One OF these,
placed across the opening on the in.
side, afforded a safe holding; the 9th
er kept the hanging rope steady. I
put my legs through the opening to
descend, and managed to get through,
and reached the basement yard,
though not without fear and trembling.
By a shake of the rope the iron bar
fell from it's holding, and was ableto
pull it down ior my further use in seal
ing the outer wall. It was November
night-dark, cold, and windy. l now
made for part of the outer wall
which separated the chaplain's garden
from the prison, and where there was
suitable corner for the use Of my
rope. [ had frequently noticed this
spot from the reception ward, and
guessed it's height to be about fifteen
feet. Over this spot | threw the iron
bar at the end Of the rope; by good
luck, it caught somehow on the other
side. mounted quickly, sailor fash
ion. and in another minute I was free.
The by-road from the prison joined
the highway to the town about 600
yards off and skirted the warders' cot
tages. When I reached the junction 1
saw under thegas lamp one OF the ward
ers smoking and chat Ting with police
man. At the sight my heart sank; but
quickly recovered my courage, crossed
theroad, swinging my arms about in a
careless way ,and passed on safely tow
ards the town. AS proceeded, it struck
me as very foolish to venture into the
lighted streets in prison dress; besides
there was no one i'll the town that Ipar-
ticularly cared to see. l therefore
turned my steps in an opposite direc-
tion, and marched northwards into
the country. After walking about
seven miles, took refuge for the night
in all clubhouse belonging to a small
farm on the l0adside. / hid myself in
the loft among the hay and straw and
slept like g. top. Early on Sunday
morning I was aroused by some one
coming to milk the COWS. l kept close
under cover, but no one came into the
loft.
As soon as darkness came on slip
ped away, and went on still north
wards. All that night 1 tramped,
scarcely meeting asoul. By daybreak
l had reached the outskirts OF a large
town, whose name I did not know
An empty house offered an enticing
place Of rest, and in went for a few
hours. By this time knew that the
hue and cry would be abroad. With
out disguise my liberty would be
but short. The police of this un-
known town would, am sure, be now
| on the lookout, for the prison could
not be thirty miles off. An empty
house could supply me with nothing,
so l resolved to 60 prospecting. I
got through an attic window on the
roof, and crawled to the nearest in
habited house. Looking through
it's attic window I saw on
a chair a suit OF clothes
evidently some ones Sunday suit,
not yet put away. They We're quick
ly in my grasp, and few moments
found me back again in my refuge. l
was, indeed, in luck's way, for in the
trousers pockets were three
shillings. Istowed the prison clothes
up the chimney and walked into the
street dressed in the stolen suit. I
hailed cab coming down the road,
after one or two questions for infor-
nation, directed him to drive me to
the barracks. Strange to say, this
cabman was the owner of the clothes
l had on. You may scarcely believe
it, but it is quite true, as after events
proved. And paid the poor fellow
with his own coin!
/ enlisted in a foot regiment, under
a feigned name of course. For a fort
night or so kept pretty close to bar
racks; then foolishly asked the wife
of one OF the sergeants to pawn the
stolen clothes. It was the story OF
the watch over again. The
theft had been reported to
the police; the pawn brokers
had been warned; and now the
woman's errand transferred me from
the barracks to the police station.
My photograph was taken and circu-
lated. 1t was recognized at the prison
from which I escaped. In day or
two was visited by my old friend the
chief superintendent, who, claiming me
as his property, took me forthwith
back to my old quarters:
"Young man." said he, "do you
know what you are likely to get for
this?"
"A few months extra, I suppose" I
answered.
He smiled grimly, saying; "Seven
years, as sure as anything"
"What! penal servitude?" I Igasped.
II never thought OF that"
And so it came to pass. was SEN
fenced to seven years penal servitude
for "breaking out of prison." Thus I
became a convict.-Chamberss Jour
nal