The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-11-28
KATE c. BLOOD.

'-
selves to circumstances, things a be
evolved even from such surroundings to
take away much of the un~pleasantness.
To be searched by a man, to be waited on
by men who get $3.50 per head a week, to
nave no woman to go to in sickness, none
with a tender heart to see and know that
the common necessaries of life are provid-
ed-these are the penalties incurred by her
who is unfortunate enough to get behind
these walls.
Flirtations are ommon with the male
prisoners, and are generally carried on sub
rosa. Notes are exchanged Outlines daily,
and various ways are taken to send them.
The restricted life naturally cau"es persons
who are of a social nature to wish to COM
municate with the opposite sex, and notes
can be passed from one person to another
without the knowledge of the ~guards-per-
haps by the man who carries the God or at
the screen where friends call. Prisoners
who are here for a long time and wish help
outside are enabled thereby to get parties
who go out from Jail and their friends to
work for their release.
Here is q very poorly written note which
I received:
Please send me your name and address and
/ will correspond with you il you are willing.
Drop me q note. Yours truly,
FRANK JONES.
This becomes gradually more and more
affectionate. The next epistle from Jones
was as follows:
Oct. Is.
DEAL FR1RNDI wish you would ANGER my
note and kt mo know what you will do darl-
ing 1 hate to think that you are sick, yours
truly. ANGER this ewing. FRANK JONES.
Mr.. Jones did not get his lancer" but
his ardor vas not cooled in the least, as
witness the following received the next
day:
MY DARLING ONn-Imissed you today. Have
watched the Porch close do get well soon for
my Sake as Even your absen from my sight is
more than / can stand ANGER this evenig Baby.
Your FRANK.
If you make a mash and write a note, up
| comes, perhaps, an orange or some grapes.
Washes pay under such circumstances, as
little things 80 a great way toward making
up the sum total of daily life and deter
| mining whether it shall be cheerful Or sor-
| rowful.
The women rise If they choose at 6 aud
breakfast of soup meat and gravy. A
large cut Of bread called a "duffer," about
4 inches In breadth, Z inches in length and
3 inches thick, is served with hot coffee.
| 1Ou "AOA w RENpuASo w ~ "e' SAoSns
| No knives or forks being present, your
hands serve their place. Water is plenty.
If you are unfortunately toothless and can't
chew meat, then by being on good terms
with the sentenced man who brings the
food you can get an extra cup OF tea. AT
8 O'Clock the door is unlocked, for the men
have had their walk, and none but the muir
dercrs and the sentenced are about. At
noon the doors are again locked, and dinner
is served of soup instead of tea or coffee,
meat as before and bread. At l O'Clock the
doors are again open until 3, and back you
go again with Il shove. II nothing goes
wrong, you get some tea to drink with
your bread that Is left over. You may 60
to bed when you like. Unless You have
money to buy candles, you have no light.
During the day the women sit on benches
on their lofty piazzas and talk or walk
about in the restricted space. Many u heart
history is learned. l notice one woman
reading her Bible; another studying; an.
other is enjoying her snuff; another smok.
ing IA pipe. Some are writing to friends and
relatives outside; another mending, and sc
they wear the hours away.