The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-12-10
THE END OF HIS TIME.
By JAMES KNAPP REEVE
UNpyright, 1892, by American Press Associa.
Ton


through long, weary days Of prison toll,
through longer, drearier end moro
hideous nights of restless tossing Upol
his prison bed, praying for the coming
Of the morning light? And then, when
it had come, praying again for night,
that the pail of darkness might hide his
misery at least from sight. And SO for
days and months and years no thought
but this-that so much of his life might
speed by into eternity. And now this
man, for whom he had done it, talked
Of "doing something" in return-of
money and position. Did he not know
that if he should grovel before him for
all his life he could not make up for the
bondage of thoss years?
Chalmers had repressed himself SO
long that it had grown to be habit, Sec
ond nature almost. But now hot, bit
ter words, taunts, insults, curses. began
to form themselves in his mind and leap
for utterance. He would let them have
way for once; he would humiliate this
sleek, prosperous man Of the world be-
fore him; and then he would go away,
he cared not whittier. He would not
be truculent; he would look him square
ly in the eye while he told him every
bitter word, even to the last one.
He looked up, resolved and intent
upon his purpose. But just inside the
door which had been closed behind them
stood another man, stranger. George
recognized his presence ut the same in
slant, and turned angrily upon the in
truder.
''What is your business, sir9" he de-
manded. 'sThis is our private office"
every well. My business is private;
at least suppose you would rather have
it so.'
"What do you wantr
For answer the man threw back the
lapel of his coat, disclosing the bright
shield of an officer.
81 hope we won't have any trouble,
gentlemen" he said obsequiously. "I'll
do this business as quietly as can.
have papers for the arrest and extradi-
ton of George Chalmers, wanted for
escaping from the Columbus peniten-
tiary. February -, 49,"
He stepped forward and placed his
hand upon the shoulder of the older man.
81 believe you are my man." he said.
Chalmers was about to shake the fell
low off indignantly and exclaim as to
his real identity, when he was arrested
by sudden movement of his brother.
"Stop." he said calmly, 81 am George
Chalmers. Now explain yourself"
The officer looked from one to the
other suspiciously.
''Play fair now, will We, gents!" he
said, '''cause don't intend to let either
of you get away, at least not until I'm
sure of my Bird
Don't be afraid" returned the other
contemptuously. "Now explain this
business"
"Well," said the detective, still ey-
ing the two men questioningly, as if try
ing to establish their identity in his own
mind, ''you may remember a little ex-
change of prisoners that was made in
cell number thirteen hundred and sew
enty-six one night some years ago.
was on duty in the prison then, and have
had my suspicious ever since and have
been trying to follow 'em up. But,
you see, couldn't find out where the
one that went away had gone; SO Just
waited till the time of the other one was
up, naturally surprising he'd follow the
first one then"
"But what do you want now? The
state has been satisfied, because the SEN
tence Of prise. er number thirteen hun.
dred and geventy-six has been served in
full"
1t was Ogden Chalmers who said this.
and he spoke with so much depressed
passion in his voice that the officer
turned again and gave him a long look
II guess you're the one that served
most of it, he finally said; ''you've got
the prison look. A man never quite gets
rid of it after SO long term. Then it's
the other one want. But you do look
uncommonly alike"
''Yes." said George Chalmers impa-
tiently. 81 am the one. Let me see if
your papers are all right"
AS the officer opened and began to
read the warrant, Ogden arose and
crossed over by his brother.
''Let him take me, George" he whis
pered. sit won't make any difference,
and shall be as well off there as here.
Didn't You hear what he said? Il have
the prison look Let me go back again.
Then the past won't have been wholly
In vain"
sit has not been in vain; believe that.
Ogden, whatever happens now. But
you shall not go back; am not weak
enough to allow that" George clasped
his brothers hand firmly as he spoke.
II must-there is no other place for
me-" insisted the other. 81 will go
quietly; there will be no disturbance