Omaha daily bee., 1888-02-19

"Not in the least" was the reply, Graham
holding up his palms ~ was twelve years in
South America leading the life Of ranch
man."
"Did you see Burns only twice in chapel!
Didn't you exercise at the same time!"
"No, they were too clever to allow that,
but the second day exercising a prisoner re-
cognized me- and by some strange method
known only to themselves it was quickly
spread through every cell in prison. 1 saw
at once from glances subsequently given me
that they knew who was"
"Did you wear ordinary clothes'"
''The ordinary prison clothes"
'..What do you think of prison, sir?'
''It's good for the appetite, my friend.
What touched me most was this-not think
ing about myself, you know, but the idea that
some poor people were glad to he in such
place-that people are so miserable as to
prefer being there to outside"
Then, while a man began to refer to the
outside, and all in the coffee shop with
Graham well to the front, rushed out. On
the opposite side crowd, with a social
democratic banner high in air, escorted
Burns. The moment he caught sight of
Graham he dashed out and, running across
the roadway, seized the extended hand of his
recent prison colleague, and each spoke
words Of hearty greeting. There was some
rapid questioning about hunger, and Mr..
Graham said:
"I've just eaten two meat pies and plate
Of bacon and eggs"
"Gloriousr' exclaimed Burns. "Where's
my shared"
And in another moment the two were fac
ing one another in a pew in the coffee shop
Then the people flowed in and crammed
every corner, and Burns was greeted by old
companions. Burns took from his pocket
half prison loaf of brown bread and held it
up to show what he had been living upon.
but it was quickly pocketed as steaming
dish of bacon and eggs was set with a huge
cup Of coffee and plate of bread and butter.
He was obliged to talk as he ate, and between
mouthfuls gave his experience of Jail life"
"For the information got there I would
have done twelve months. It's absolute
torture for the poor prisoners. The men are
not punshed-they are tortured"
"Well, jack how did you like it9" asked a
new conner.
"Stunning," was the reply. SITS the only
holiday ever had. Pm in excellent health,
but rather weak. You know had to go into
the infrmary Immediately I got into the
prison. The doctor saw was not very well
and ordered me to the hospital"
"How did you get on in the infirmaryl"
"The treatment was such as one would ex-
pect from an institution having its for object
the care of patients who have been suffering
in the ether place. Most of the
poor wretches IN that place are driven
there, not much from any crime in
themselves, but through troubles i'm
posed upon them by the vices of society.
Sitting opposite one another Burns and Ora
ham continually exchanged words. Graham
threw in q little story:
zone day committee Of magistrates came
to see me. They looked through the peep
hole, but would not look up or speak. l was
hard at work picking oakum."
SIT was evident" observed Burns, .."by
the care that they took Of US that they had
had special ins tructions."
"Did you like your run roundl" asked Ora,
ham, referring to the daily exercise.
"Never enjoyed anything so much in my
| life used to sing snatches from Dorothy
| and Patience about in tho morning and
the other prisoners say they enjoyed
it. One thing 1 shall never forget
the kindness Of the other prisoners
| Bread they denied themselves and gave me.
Loaves and loaves were conveyed to me by
them, and whenever one got an extra book
he'd tell the warden to pass it on to Burns.
sent several loaves to you, Graham. Did
| you get thema"
''No, not me-"
Graham asked for bit of tobacco, and {
dozen hands pressed pouches and cigarette
papers upon him. While the conversation
was still going on there was movement at
| the door, and Captain Charles Graham, ol
Hampstead House, Kent, q brother of the
released prisoner, with Mrs Graham
| entered and exchanged greetings
Shortly afterwards carriage drove
up and Graham's mother, the
Hon. Mrs. Bontine, entered. Mr, Graham
struggled out Of his pew and the lady fell
upon his breast without speaking word
Mr.. Graham clasped her in his arms, mur-
muriug, "All right, mother" and patted hel
lovingly. Mr.. Graham's wife drove up in
cab a quarter of an hour later and WAS re-
ceived with loud cheers by the crowd, which
had by that time greatly increased. She wa.
led by her husband into the coffee house
after having first kissed her mother and sis
ter-in-law, and very soon afterwards tn,
Grahams drove away Just as the carriages
were about to leave the prison bells sounded
and Burns shouted,
Graham, Graham, there's the breakfas
bell"