Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-06-28

VIZ" NfNHN W tlt iNitFW fhfuH W
Che st0okade where the c0nviots wege
penned and said that ba had heard
that more guards we're neoded
We do need more guards" the
superintendent replied. but DO you
thiak that you can serve our pur
poser
Yes. think can"
But you're pretty old"
4 know that, but I've got my roc
ond sight. and ! can shoot n gun as
we'll ~ ever could. and that's one
Of the main requirements. ! reckon. "
Yes. the orders are strict shoot
any convict that attempts TO got
away. But u strikes me that you
are little too old ut
Tho old fellow stood under n lamp
swinging from a crossbeam In the
guartiroom. His gray whiskers and
his white hair, catching the moving
light and the following shadow, gave
him weirdly venerable look.
Now, you may think I'm too old
but I'm not, he urged 'T'll kill any
man that tries to get away. And not
only this. If they should try TO over
power me, they'll find me the han
diest man with a gun they ever saw.
Captain, / wish you'd give me this
place, for need it. Somehow
haven't the heart to do much of any
thing, and for a good while l have
just been drifting from one place to
another. Family's all gone-wife's
dead. and my children are scattered
everywhere Give me the place, cap
tain, and I'll do my duty" -
What is your name2"
We'll, | have been called Old Am
brose' so long that / hardly know
what my other name is. Reckon
you'd better call me Old Ambrose.
II don't know whether to take you
or not, Mr.. Ambrose"
"Old Ambrose, if you please"
"Al right, then, Old Ambrose. AS
l was saying. don't know whether
to take you or not. A number Of
convicts have got away lately, and
the lessee is held responsible, and he
of course looks to me-" .s.a
Didn't tell you I'd got my second
yightG" e.u X a.
"Yes, that's all very well, but still
am afraid But we do need another
man. Are you willing to get up
mornings at o'clock7"
my dear sir, ! can't sleep after 4
o'clock" n ~ 1ga
"You can stand diet of corn bread
and beef2" 4,lpon.
My dear sir, wheat bread gives
me dyspepsia, and beef is my only
meat" tr5 n t...-
"An right, Mr.. Ambrose
"Old Ambrose, sir"
"All right, Old Ambrose, I'll try
you for awhile anyway. Tomorrow
morning you will go with a gang to
the second embankment, about two
miles from here, and you'll have to
get up earlier than 8 o'clock. l
''All right, SIR -9ot
"AndI / think you'd better turn in
now, so as to get enough sleep"
II will, sir"
by the way, your guns in the
corner"
THANK you, sir.'
Early the next morning the old
man moved out with the squad, and
just before the embankment was
reached he thus addressed a brother
guard: II hated to. do this kind of
work, but the truth is I'm hardly fit
for anything. I've travelled 200 miles
since had a regular job, and / made
dead set at this one, and I'm going to
keep it if can. Ireckon all man has
before him is h& duty, and never
had my duty to scare me yet l hope
| won't have to shoot at one of these
convicts, for, as said last night, I've
got my second sight, and a man that
ever could shoot can shoot better than
ever when his second sight comes"
Old Ambrose stood at one end of
the embankment. 1t was just about
daylight. Suddenly convict fell,
rolled down the embankment, and
then springing to his feet made a
break fora wood notN great distance
away.
''Haltp Old Ambrose cried The
convict paid no attention. Three
times did Old Ambrose cry halt and
then fred. The convict fell.
you got him" said the construc-
ton boss, coming forward.
"Yes, and know he's done for. !
was going to shoot him in the leg,
but just as pulled the trigger he
stepped in a low place. I'm going
over to see the poor fellow"
The construction boss went with
him. It was now broad daylight.
The convict lay on his face. The
construction boss turned him over.
"Merciful GodI" Old Ambrose cried,
sinking upon his knees. 1t was his
son.-Chicago Journal