The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-27
A MERCILESS FELLOW.
How an Excellent Young Man Was
 Taken to Prison.

ounE NlldS hpOtilldll TtttlNPl di til- vitation to attend character ball He was at perplexing loss as to what char acter to assume He wanted to startle the people with the bold originality of his conceptions so, after several days of profound thought, after he had sunk q shaft deep down into the mine of med itation, he decided to go as convict. The idea tickled him, and, .loStled by his own laughter, he tottered across the room and leaned on a corner of the mantlepiece He spoke to friend con. corning the idea The friend grace less fellow known as Hayfoot, ex- claimed:
 My dear Goodman, you are a genius. It is a mystery to me how you can be so original. As convict, why, it's the very thing Say l have d friend who is a clerk in the penitentiary I'll ask him to get you new suit of convict clothes.
 Good, exclaimed Silas Don't for get it.
 "Oh, won't. I'll go out and see him this eveniug
 In lIayfoot's evil mind there lurked dark design. Hayfoot and Goodman, though friends, east eyes of affection upon the same young lady.
 Il think l 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- tion. His fair partner said that the stripes became him.
 Hayfoot and a deputy sheriff stood on street corner am sure said Hay foot, that saw an escaped convict go into the generals house Wait until your friend comes with the wagon and then decoy the gentleman out un- derstand that he is dangerously insane and that he fancies himself to be young fellow named Silas Goodman. The peO- Plt III lIlt noIHt iidNt Ol 'iOo'l- man, and are doubtless imposed upon by this desperate crank. Here comes the wagon
 Young Goodman, toying with rose, was talking to Miss Gaddlehy, when some one attracting his attention said
 A gentleman out at the front gate desires to see you immediately on very important business
 Goodman went out to the gate Some one from behind threw coffee sack over the young man head, and the dep uty sheriff with quick movement, fas- tened pair of hand-cuff- on Goodman's hands. Goodman yelled as loud as he could. The bass violin replied with loud grunt of sarcasm, the Italian harp twanged in derision, and the fiddle screaked in contempt, and on went the dance. Goodman was placed into the wagon and was rapidly driven away When his captors took him into a cell they removed the coffee sack.
 What in thunder does this mean ?' Goodman exclaimed
 Be quiet the officer replied or we'll gag you.
 Where am I?
 In the penitentiary, where you be- long
 Penitentiary! am not d convict am Silas Goodman, book keeper for
 Yes, that's all right, Silas Quiet yourself down and you'll doubtless be all right by morning
 Hayfoot entered. Silas uttered an exclamation of delight Hayfoot, thank heaven you are here See what these wretches have done Tell them
 l don't know you" Hayfoot coldly replied. Il only know that you are an escaped convict and that these men have done their duty"
 Come, Hayfoot, this devilish joke has gone far enough.
 must say that you are very pecu- liar man" Hayfoot rejoined. My friend Jackson, who is one of the main men here, will see that your wants are supplied. Goodnight"
 Goodman spent terrible night. Early the next morning he was taken from his cell. He attemted to explain, but the superintendent replied
 You may be trihe crazy but l