The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-05-14

the loose paving stones that had been
trimmed by the prisoners from the gravel
walk to the side Of the road, so as to al
low the officials carriages free access to
the prison yard. This work be was or
dered to have completed at ten O'Clock,
the visitors being due at eleven. While
engaged in this task bright idea occur
red TO him which be thought it well to
put into practice. Although the keen
eyes Of the keeper were upon him, be
managed in carrying the stones to place
them on the hillside in photographic
| order.
There he thought, ''if the overseer
understands that, may spend years in
this place. If he does not, it will be
strange, indeed, if some of the officials
do not see and comprehend it." He was
then ordered to his cell.
Shortly afterwards the State Prison In
spectors and the Governors secretary,
accompanied by several other officials,
entered the prison yard to make the in
spection required by law, which often
consists in shaking hands with the pris-
on author3ties. congratulsting the prison
ers on their happy life, advising them to
be good, and just, and fear not, etc, and
eating good dinner at the expense of
the State. While the dinner was under
discussion, the Governors secretary, a
bright-looking young man, sauntered
about the grounds, enjoying fragrant
Havana, His attention was attracted to
the pile Of cut stones, and while he
glanced at it casually, he noticed the or
der in which the stones were placed at
one end. Another glance He rubbed
his eyes, went closer, and looked again.
Then he uttered low whistle swell"
he said, when he had somewhat recover
ed, ''this is a most remarkable thing if
it is an accident, it is surely singular
one. But is it? l viii see"
He was about 10 call the attention Of
one of the keepers of the prison to what
he at first thought might have been an
odd coincidence, but he paused. The
mere fact that the stones were placed in
such an order indicated that if they
were placed there by design, the person
who put them so desired secrecy, for
reason. sit can do no HARM" thought
the secretary, ''to carry out the party's
intentions, for the present, at least."
While these thoughts were passing
through his mind, he re-read the charse-
ters slowly and carefully, and without
difficulty:
'A-BoY-Is BEISG-ILL--TREATED-I
-THIs-PLAcE-AND- -cASsoT-ooNPLAIN
Help CELL-I0-JoE"
Taking out a slip of paper he carefully
noted the number Of the cell as indicated
by the stones, and continued his walk
towards the rear of the prison. The
young man vas wise beyond his years,
and thought it well to be not TOO abrupt
in seeking knowledge.
(Which are the even numbered cells?"
be said to the keeper.
The latter bowed respectfully and OBJ
sequiously, as be indicated the tier on the
east side ofthe building.
"Ah," said the secretary, where is the
inmate of No. 50"
On being informed by the keeper that
the prisoner referred to was in the hospi-
tai, the secretary said:
"Well, suppose you send No. 10 this
way
Certainly said the keeper, hesitat-
ingly, "but he's bad one"
''No matter about that" retorted the
secretary, authoritiyely, "that is just the
kind of one wish to see.''
In five minutes more Joe was tearing
out like a mailman, in advance of the
keeper, and falling at the feet Of the
young official, began with sobs and tears
to tell his sad story. By degrees the
clever young secretary put the lad at his
ease and got possession Of the essential
facts Of the case, which he promised to
lay before the Governor.
On the boys suggestion the pedler was
hunted up by clever detectives, at the
request of the secretary, and his state
ment, together with the lads recollec-
ton, put the case on an entirely different
footing.
The pedler's statement not only salts
fed the authorities, but the father feel
ing that he had been hasty, and that the
boy was blameless for the sad calamity,
took him TO his heart. Joe's enemy, the
keeper, was fulsomely polite until the
lad was discharged, which occurred with
in a week or so. Friends turned up in
the most unexpected places. The news
papers teemed with rccounts of-"T'he !
Long Incarceration Of an Innocent Boy
Brought 70 Light By ne Prison O5ieials-
Happy Ending Of a Sad Accide5lt," and in
this way the once friendless boy discov-
erd that nothing succeeds like success.
The friendship of the secretary did not |
end here. Seeing that Joe was both in
telligent and truthful, he aided the lad |
in many ways, and the once juvenile /
criminal is now high in the officials of /
the - Railroad Company, and an
honored citizen of the State IN which he
was once stone-breaker and jail-bird
". J. LEDGER.