Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-10-11

N4NS
"Do yos care for herr
Chalmers found the governor In hi,
comfortable office In the capitol, and
introduced himself. presenting the let
,ers which explained bis business. The
governor looked them over carefully and
patiently.
ii am sorry you have come to me. Mr.
Chalmsr-," be said finally. II can d.
nothing for You. am familiar with the
cass.- he added. ~ Chalmers was about
Ia in,.rlose. and my personal sympa.
thie- aro always with . young man In
hi. first offeuse."
After q moment he continued; "it l.
beyond my province 10 advise YOU; bu,
hate to see a man. In whom there is
doubtless much good. condemned to
such soul destroying place aud fellow.
ship. would H. glad % help you. II ]
couh-to give him another chance b.
fore IL l. too late. Has every legal ~
source t-en exhaustedY'
"Yes. lthought % that first. Moth.
Ing seems a. have bcen neglected or left
undone 10y my brothers attorneys"
Then fear you can DO nothing bat
.ubinit. The term % sentenc. was ten
year. good conduct. you know. will
shorten u 10 about eight. That is not
~ long when one looks back" said the
governor musingly.
ut Il eternity when one looks for
ward 90 passing II In hell" The s'eaii
ness of Chalmers' manner was In marked
contrast to the yehemence % his words
"YOu seem to have a poor opinion ~
our system" said the governor. looking
at him with new interest.
II know nothing of it, answered
Chalmers shortly.
II admit there II room Tor improve
meni." aid the governor conhdentislly.
II am making study - the matter
I mean to accomplish some reforms
there during INV term. Now yOu are
going to see your brother. Kecp your
eyes Otrn, anil after that come and 49,
me again AMI IT,, me have your sugg.--
tions."
The sympathy of the man and the In.
1iyidnal hal given way at one. before
the ambition u the politician. anxious
to mark his administration with ''re-
form that would attract the public
rlamOr.
Chalmers saw tina, nothing could b.
gained here. lie went next to Oh"
prison. The brothers met IN the Office
% the warlcn. The elder studied Ia
make the interview fire. from restraint
AMI a. though they were meeting on
common ground. But he could no,
shu, his eyes O. those horrid strip-- that
wound round and round his brothers
iorm-the b..Gge ~ crime aud ssryiinde
This was aln It the worst ~ it-that
not for a moment could they blot oui
this ocular evidence % the impassablc
gulf between them.
II am sorry. George" said Chalmers,
after u firm clasp of the hand. that J
could not have lecn with You sooner. l
learned u IL only three days ago at New
Orleans"
"Iiave you lcen % Cleyelandr
YES. went there trst % see what
could be done"
Then you know the whole story
For an answer the elder brother
noidei without looking up
"Does Lima know
Thi. time the other shook his head.
but he iook-l straight at the younger
man and replied by another question:
"Do You care for herr
why. Of course. old man; but that's
all up now. AMI there's no reason why
you shouldn't 90 In and win, II you still
want to-"
Chalmers studied hi. brother In cur.
Gus surprise. There was certain rough.
ne-- and car.lessn.ss In his tone and
manner that be- hal never ob-eryei In
him before-that he hal certainly not
expected % iind now. And he noticed a
weakness about the mouth and the low
er lines of the fac. that was wholly new
to him. This was not . sudden or vivid
expression. but came In ~ q sort of un'
dercurrent o. his thought. At hs' u
did not occur to him that he hal neye'
seen his brothers face bsfor.-sinc. he
hal reached manhoO.i-free from the
heavy beard that lac had always worn.
But the prison discipline was a leyeler
In this ~ In all things else. He won.
derel IL his face would look A. weak N
he should becomea a convict and have his
beard shaved OF aud his hair cropp.'i.
lie ignored his brothers last words.
Il have been trying 10 do something
for YOU" be- said. "but am afraid have
failed ofar. have Just come from the
governors"
"Oh, you cant do anything there. ]
could have told You that. lie and old
Rolney are hand In glove. Did you see
RoineyY'
"Ye-.-
"Hes wilv old fox; he'll block you
at every step"
IL found he would not help us. Can
You suggest anythingi came home Ia
get you out ot this II IL can BE- done"
II know but one way. Money doe-
anything herr. or at least will let You do
Il for yourself. Two fellows went on,
over the wall last night"
His brothers ready acceptance VI
bribery ~ afording him possible
means of escape did not surprise Chal'
mers more than the ease with which he
seemed tohave dropped into prison ways
and expressions. Was this proof tha,
the governor was right when he said the
place was soul Destroying Would he
have lowered his standard 30 readily
under the same conditions, lie looked
at his brother again more closely. There
Was certainly q lack Of character In the
expression OF the mouth and chin. Yet
Il had always been said that the two
were strangely alike. A boys, notwiih
standing the difference In their ages
they hsd often been mistaken for ons
another.
IL don't believe that IL the best way.
he said finally. ~ though he had been
rejecting on his brothers suggestion.
"Its the only way. I tell you." IN
swered the other tmpstiently. II hav'