Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-04-11

time that Henri turned the key in the
prisoners cell chill went over him, for
he would have to tell Marie that mon.
sieur. the prisoner, was still there.
II, Gonyeau, he ventured the sixth
day, g does the little hen like her box OF
gravelr'
& She likes it greatly. Thanks to you.
Henri, answered. the prisoner. q See
now how she is at it, Ifit were water
foot 'i
That is weIl." said Henri. going
nearer the box. I thought she would
come to it before this.
To the sand. my good mani AhI
ing,
Henri dared not say more. Trem.
bling as he was. he. caught up the tray
and hastened out, coughing to hide his
agitation.
After he had gone monsieur also an.
preached the box, The little hen,
scratching vigorously to waylay worm
which had just wriggled out of sight,
had at last uncovered the key. In a
momenk he had clutched 1t TO his breast,
swaying like u wisp of grain in his sud-
den rush of feeling
Already he saw himself free across the
border and in his long -forsaken home.
Perhaps his mother still lived. and this
was the season for the hedge to be
abloom, The picture was too instanta,
neous and realistic; he swooned and fell
to the floor, only TO be brought to by the
tngling bits of gravel which the little
hen, still scratching for the evasive
worm, cast on his face, his hands, his
chest.
Once aroused and his senses collected
he set himself to cleansing the key.
With a bit of stone from the box he
rubbed and scraped off the rust and filed
upon the lip till it turned as smoothly in
the mammoth lock as turns we'll
creased waffle.iron.
That night at i2 the prisoner laid his
last coin on the table in his CELL with
parting note to Henri and his daughter
Marie. 1t was characteristic, i. s..
Thanks TO you, good friends,n he
wrote. You have aided the little hen
to hatch my freedom. break my shell
at 12 this night. Take good care of the
little hen, Marie. and il / am favored 1
shall some time return for her"
he did not sign. it. There was still a
chance that all might not go we'll,
The note accomplished, on tiptoe he
approached his cell door. With trem,
bling fingers he turned the key. pushed
the door ajar, and waved.a farewell to
the little hen perched asleep on the back
of chair.
Closing the door as noiselessly as a
fan-wave, he felt his way, step by step,
down the double flight of stairs till he
was opposite tho warden's door. All
was quiet there. He reached up and
drew u long, broad bolt that held the
smaller outside door fast and firm. IL
creaked. Above him came the echo of n
footstep. 1t was the guard pacing the
upper corridor. Poor prisoner He drew
harder upon the bolt 1t might creak
now. The steps came nearer.
He pulled quickly upon the bolt. a
long, smooth stroke. It did not creak
and the footsteps had turned in another
direction. The door was open, but yes-
terday Henri had creased the hinges.
The rust must take little oil with its
iron" he said to Marie, " though the
bolts they creak any way" So the door
swung aside and the prisoner was ont in
the still lighted night. A cock crew
in Marie's poultry yard. 1t gave him
the impetus he needed and he rushed
from the prison yard! 4ei
The next morning Henri's face shone
and his step was elastic as he carried
back to Marie the tray of untasted food.
q" He has goneSmon perez" she asked.
g He has gone, ma Marie, but the lit.
tie hen is in the cell, waiting for You
And is that allf" she asked soberly.
Ho;" and he put the, coin and note
into her hand.-Kate Fields Washing.
ton. 20 dG9i 3sstipti IN ssi hiiE
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