Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-23

sent here.
Mr.. Murray went. not too willingly-still
he went
Nv.
Oliver Markell was again in the charge
of Warder Slater. Warder Slater looked
very queer indeed-he actually seemed to
have lost in bulk. The same phenomenon
was observable in the chief warder, who fol-
lowed close upon the prisoners heels.
Markell seemed, as ever, completely at his
ease. There was again a suspicion of smile
in his eyes and about the corners Of his lips.
Bis bearing was in striking contrast to that
Of the officials. His self-possession in the
presence of their evident uneasiness gave
him the appearance, in a sense, of being a
giant among pigmies; yet the Major, at
least. was in every way bigger man than
he was. There was silence as be entered, a
continuation of that silence which had pre-
vailed until he came. The governor fum-
bled with paper-knife which was in front
of him. The inspector, leaning for
ward in his chair, seemed engrossed
by his boots. The doctor kept glanc-
ing, perhaps unconsciously, at his
hat. The chaplain, though eonspicuously
uneasy, seemed to have his wits about him
most 1t was he who, temporarily usurping
the governors functions, addressed the
prisoner.
tYour name is Oliver Mankell?" The
prisoner merely smiled. "You are SEN
fenced to three months hard labor?" The
prisoner smiled again. ''For-for pretend
ing to tell fortunes?'' The smile became
pronounced. The chaplain cleared his
throat. "0liver Markell, 1 am clergy
man. / know that there are such things as
good and evil, know that, for causes
which are hidden from me, the Almighty
may permit evil to take visible shape and
walk abroad upon the earth; but I also
know that, though evil may destroy my
body, it cannot destroy nv soul.
The chaplain pulled up. His words and
manner, though evidently sincere, were not
particularly impressive. While they evil
IDENTIFY had the effect of increasing his col
leagues uneasiness, they only had the effect
of enlsrging the prisoners smile. When
he was about to continue the governor inter-
posed.
"I think, Mr.. Hewett, if you will permit
me. Markell, am not a clergyman"
The prisoners smile almost degenerated into
q grin. 81 have sent for you, for the second
time this morning, to ask you frankly If
you have any reason to complain of your
treatment here?" The prisoner stretched
out his hands with his familiar gesture.
"Have you any complaint to make? Is
there anything, within the range of the
prison rules, you would wish me to order
for yoo?' Again the hands went out
''Then tell me- quite candidly, what is the
cause of your behavior"
When the governor ceased, the prisoner
seemed to be resolving in his mind what
answer he should make. Then, inclining
his head with that almost saturnine grace,
if one may coin a phrase, which seemed to
accompanied every movement he made
''Sir, what have done?" he asked.
'tEh-eh-we-ve won't dwell upon that.
The-the question is. What did you do it
for?''
'tIt is perhaps within your recollection. sir,
that have my reputation to redeem, my
character TO reinstate."
"Your character What do you mean2"
''In the first interview with which you
favored me, ventured to observe that it
would be nv endeavor, during my sojourn
vithing these walls, to act upon the advice
the magistrate rendered me"
''What"-the governor rather faitered-
"what advice was that?"
HE said 1 claimed to be magician. He
advised me, for my characters sake, to
prove il during my sojourn here"
II see. And-and you're trying 10 prove
it-for your characters sake?"
''FOr my characters sakel But am but
beginning, you percelvel''
'Oh, you're but beginningi You call this
but beginning, do your May ask if you
o6. sir, faHTRs Os ttG tGHin8g 8saPiy 9R2 enc wnOrs
three months in front of mel Until my
term expires 1 shall go on, with gathering
strength, until the end"
As he said this Markell drew himself
up in such q way that it almost seemed as
though some inches were added to his
stature.
You will. will you9 Well, you seem to
be pleasant kind of mani" The criticism
seemed to have been extracted from the gov
ernor almost against his will, He looked
round upon his colleagues with what could
only be described as CHASTITY grin. "Have
you any objection, Markell, to being trans
ferred to another prison?'
"SirP' the prisoners voice rang out, and
his hearers started-perceptibly. Perhaps
that was because their nerves were already
so disorganized. sit is here 1 was sent, it
is here must remaip-uutil the end."'
The governor took out his handkerchief
and wiped his brow.
81 am bound to tell you, Markell, judg-
ing from the experiences of the last two |
days, If this sort of thing is to continue
with gathering strengthi-the end will not |
be long"
The prisoner seemed lost in reflection. |
The officials seemed lost in reflection, too; |
but their reflections were probably of diff |
fereut kind.
"There is one suggestion might offer"
Lets have it by all means. We have |
reached point at which we shall be glad to
receive any suggestion-from you."
You might give me testimonial"
''Give you what?'
''You might give me testimonial"
The governor looked at the prisoner, then
at his frIends.
"a testimonialI Might we, indeed!
What sort Of testimonial do you allude
top
''You might testify that I had regained
my reputation, redeemed my character
that had proved to yopr entire salts action
that was the magician 1 claimed to be-"
The governor leaned back in his seat.
''Your suggestion has at least the force
OF novelty. 1 should like to search the reg
listers of remarkable cases. to know if such /
an application has ever been made to the
governor of an English Jail before. What /
do you say, Hardinge?"
The Major shufled in his chair.
"I-I think must return to town."
The prisoner smiled. The Major WINGED.
''That-that fellows pinned me to nv
chair, be gasped. He appeared to be max
ing futile efforts to rise from his seat.
"You cannot return to town.. Dismiss the
idea from your mind"
The NJ jor only groaned. He took out his
handkerchief and wiped his brow. The /
governor looked up from the paper-knife
with which he was again trif1ing.
"Am / to understand that the testimo-
nial is to take the shape of a voluntary
ofering?"