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

The governor smiled, but he made no
comment on the Majors observation. It
was arranged that an inquiry should be
held after chapel. During chapel fresh
subject was added to the list of those which
already called for prompt inquiry.
Probably there is no more delicate and
difficult position than that of q prison
chaplain. II any man doubt this, let him
step into prison chaplain's shoes and
see. He must have two faces, and each face
must look in an exactly opposite way. The
one toward authority-he is an official, an
uPholder of the law; the other toward the
defiers of authority-he is the criminals
best friend. 1t requires the wisest of men to
do his duty so as to please both sides, and ne
must please both sides-or fail. As has
already been hinted. Mr.. Hewett. the chap
lain of Cornerstone Jail, was not the wisest
ofmen. He was in the uncomfortsble-bu
not uncommon-position of being disliked
by both the rival houses. He meant we'll,
but he was not an apt interpreter of his own
meaning. He blundered. sometimes on the
prisoners toes, and sometimes ON the toes Of
the officials. Before the service began
the governor thought of giving him
hint, not-in the course OF ito
touch on the events of the last two
days. But previous hints of the same kind
had not by any means been well received,
and he refrained. Exactly what he feared
would happen, happened. Both the in
spector snd the governor were present at
the service. Possibly the chaplain sup
posed this to be an excellent opportunity of
showing the sort of man he was-one full of
zeal. At any rate, before the services was
over, before propouncing the benedictlon,
he came down to the altar rail, in the way
they knew so we'll. The governor, out
wardly unrufled, inwardly groaned.
II have something to say to you"
When he said this, those who knew him
knew exactly what was coming; or they
thought they did, for, for once in way, they
were previously wrong. When the chap
lain had got so far, he paused. 1t was his
habit to indulge IN these eloquent pauses,
but it was not his habit to behave
as he Immediately did. While they were
the words he would use, spasm seemed to
go all over him, and he clutched the rail
and spoke. And what he said was this
"Bust the screws and blast 'eml"
The words were shouted rather than
spoken. In the very act of utterance he
clung on to the rail as though he needed its
support to enable him to stand. The chapel
was intensely still. The men stared at him
as though unable to believe their eyes and
ears. The chaplain was noted for his little
eccentricltIes, but it was the first time they
had taken such a shape as this.
'Thats not what meant to say" The
words came out with grasp. Mr.. Hewett
put his hand up to his brow. "That's not
what meant to say"
He gave a frightened glance around.
Suddenly his gaze became fixed, and he
looked intently at some object right in front
of him. His eyes assumed dull and fish
like stare. He hung on to the rail, his sur
pliced figure trembling as with palsy.
Words fell from his lips with feverish volu-
bility.
whats the good of q screw, I'd like to
know? Did you ever know one what was
worth his salt? 1 never did. Look at that
beast, Slater, great fat brute, what'd get a
man three days bread and water as soon as
look at him. A little bread and water'd do
him good. Look at old Murray-call
man like that chief warder. I wonder what
chief fat-head's like? As for the governor
as for the governor-as-for-the-gov-
ernor-'
The chapel was in confusion. The officers
rose in their Seats Mr.. Paley stood up in
his pew, looking whittier than he was wont
to do. 1t seemed as though the chaplain
was struggling with an unseen antagonist.
He writhed and twisted, contending, as it
were, with something-or some one-which
appeared to be in front of him. His SEN
tence remained unfinished. ALI at once he
collapsed, and. sinking into heap, lay
upon the steps Of the altar-still.
''Take the men out" said the governors
quiet voice.
The men were taken out. The school,
master was already at the chaplain's side.
With him were two or three of the prison.
ers who sang in the choir. The governor
and the inspector came and looked down at
the senseless man.