The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-07-23

day they heard OF it-found out that-that
had been a convict at the galleys"

day they heard OF it-found out that-that
had been convict at the galleys.''
''Ah, indeed! you were convict at the
galleys," said the poet. in much the same
tone as if he had been saying: "Ah. in.
deed! So you danced last night at a court
ball." And how have you been living
since you left your situation?"
ION little money that saved when 1
was in prison."
II thought" said the poet, "that con-
vlcts were forbidden to take money from
visitors"
80 they are. monsieur. But they all do
great harm to take it if we can do so with
out discovery"
''How do you manage it?" persisted the
poet, who was curious to learn something
of convict's experiences.
1--WE had several ways" the man re-
piled. mime was one not often used, but
it always interested visitors. Some of US
used to tame pet mice and teach them to
bring us any coin thrown down for us by a
visitor We always kept these mice in our
clothes, where they would nestle all day
without stirring. and when visitor dropped
little coin for prisoner the mouse. at a
faint chirrup from its master, would come
out of its hiding place. slip down the leg of
his trousers, secure the coin and run back
to its masters breast the way it came"
''What an ingenious trick!" said the poet.
much interested, but hardly able to believe
the thing was true. u should like to see
it done, " he added presently.
You can. monsieur"
''What. Do you carry any trained mice
about you9"
'Only one. monsieur, but 1 never can
artf bor hn &c %hn frno fri
l have left," he added sadly
''Will you show me?"
Certainly, monsieur. Please to throw
down COMA cent. cents-what you
think proper"
The poet threw down cent piece, which
rolled along the floor. The man gave a
slight chirrup with his lips and the sleeve
on his left arm was agitated. Then the
mouse came sliding down the leg of his
pantaloOnS, and appeared moment later
on the carpet. But. to the great surprise of
both men, it stood still. and seemed in
clined to run back to its hiding place.
Its master, seeing its hesitation, CHR
ruped again more loudly. The mouse
obeyed. The coin had rolled under piece
OF furniture in one corner of the study.
just as the mouse was about to pick it up a
piteous sQueal was heard. Alas. the poets
great AngOTd cat ndQ Deen lying asleep un-
der the table.
When the convict saw what peril threat.
ened his little friend he turned pale as
death and gave cry of terror.
Poet and convict sprang at once to the
rescue. The cat was driven away, but not
before he had seized the prey in his sharp
claws. The poor little mouse lay still with
drop of blood like shining carbuncle on
its glossy breast.
Its master picked it up and held it for a
moment in his hand.
Then he laid it on the writing table. drew
himself up to his full height, doubled his
fists and sprang upon the poet, who re-
ceived his attack with great compOsure.
only saying: 'Was it for murder you were
sent to prison?"
At these words the poor fellew recovered
himself.
LET me see. my poor friend" said the
poet. ''if your poor little mouse is certainly
dead"
am sure that all who read this story.
and who sympathize with the convict in his
sorrow for the injury to ''his only true
FRIEND" will hope the little mouse got we'll.
though it is hard to cure wounded animal.
I wish 1 could inform them. but do not
know. The story is true one. and he from
whom I had it could not tell. But this
know: that the poet was ever after true
friend to it's master, and got him situation