The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-09-26
6 The Basket'' Runs Against the
Electric Light.

electric lights have come and are genuine
surprise. l was at first shocked and haven't
yet fully recovered. l shall never forget
the first night electricity ten-horse power
strong. and myself proportionalIy weak,
roomed together l had heard before sup
per that our new lights were to be used
that night. | was filled with curiosity and
longing for more time to look up the sub
ject of electricity and be prepared for any
of its queer antics. Time was precious. l
at once examined the bulb on the end of the
tape worm looking arrangement through
which supposed the electricity would make
its appearance, and found no wick visible
"Just my luck. Everybody else will lave
a new light tonight" l thought. l felt
certain that as soon as the electricity was
turned on. the bulb. glass lamp. or what you
call it. would overflow. so l put my basin
under it to catch the overflow. ana thus
prevent the electricity from running all
over the floor and interfering with my house
hold arrangements. When the basin be-
came full [ intended to send it in to Ed
with the request that he ''drnk it quickly
before the tizz goes off" Ed. you know. likes
experiments where no water is Used 1
thought I'd have some innocent fun if |
couldn't have light. He might become
sea sick for while. but it would wear off
in few days.
l lighted my lamp and placed it and my
matches on the highest shelf so that there
would be little danger of setting fire to the
electricity and waited for some indication
that the stuff was turned on. | fastened
two pillows. as chest protectors. one to the
rear of my head and the other la hustle;
and, broom in hand. faced the wickless
glass bulb. and awaited developments |
watched and waited till l became tired.
Finally | thought I'd examine the appa-
ratus more thoroughly. Possibly the force
of the current would shove the wick down
and l could then light it. l approached the
subject. gently. but with an indifferent air.
Familiarity took hold of the faucet and
turned it slghtly-nOt trickle was heard
| drew long breath. hummed. There's
Music in the Air." to brace my courage, and
then cautiously turned the faucet a little
further, still not a trickle: but everything
became most painfully quiet, and every
time my heart beat felt one of my chest
protectors Shift its position. [ suspected
that the reservoir was dry and did a bold.
reckless thing. l lighted match and held
it SO that l could easily touch it to the wick,
should it appear, and turned the whole bus
mess just once. My being here to tel! this
experience is miracle or else | am non
conductor. AS soon as | turned the faucet,
(befOre turned it on some time about then
| didn't especially note the time long,
slender piece of creased lightning struck
me and that bulb. and death pallOr was
cast over everything in my room. Those
pillows prevented me from being spread all
over the south wall of my room and take
this opportunity to gratefully express to
them my heartfelt thanks. My heart and
the clock stopped, but the lightning contn-
ued to glow. My room is not large enough
for ten-horse- power incandescent electric
light and myself. One of us had to leave.
| could not get out 1--we been irving for
six long months to make my exit SO. | de-
termined to put the light out. | couldn't
blow it out. fan it out nor kick it out
would gladly have thrown it out had | any
idea as to what place to take hold of it, |
realized that l was in a lamentable position
and my helDlessneSs was becoming more
and more apparent. when. fortunately the
night guard came to my cell Turn the
button when you want your light out"
did want my light,out right then and there
but the fellows who left this life DESTROYING
element in here. forgot to leave me wrench |
pair of tOngs or anything of that sort. so
| couldn't turn the button. My only course
was to let it burn itself tired and quit of its |
own accord. | did So The mere thought
of anything invisible always makes my
flesh creep. As far as | am able to Judge
electricity is not only invisible but is tast
less. inOdOrOus. and deceitful The more
you Investigate it the greater YOU are
shocked. The better YOU become acouaint-
ed with it the less you know about it. Num- I!
Der 1872 has been its staunchest friend for
years. but the other day the electricity, in a
fit OF temporary insanity. picked number
1872 up and came very near breaking a piece |
of stone tagging in two with him.
For life without care or worry. give me