Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-12
and carried it in himself.

was. When she went ont to hang up
the clothes to dry Jakey was in the yard.
She called him to her and i'll whisper
made herself known. Jakey, who was
wondering what had become of the mes
sage he had sent, was both overjoyed
and astonished. He turned two or three
somersauts on the ground and other
wise demonstrated his childishness to
Mrs. Triggs, who at that moment ap-
peared at a window. but not before
Souri, had told JaEey to inform Mark of
her presence, and that she would try to
get into his room as soon as she could
be intrusted with a meal for him.
Again at noon she offered to take in
his dinner, but without success. She
was at her wits end for an excuse to
stay about till supper time, but think
ing that Mrs. Triggs' wardrobe might
need mendinc she offered to undertake
the task, and spent the afternoon over
the old woman's threadbare garments.
All this while Souri, was thinking of
plan for Marks escape. She learned
that he was to be hanged in a few days
and knew there was little time. The
most natural plan under the circum-
stances occurred TO her-a plan by
which more prisoners have made their
escape than any other one method
walking out before the guard in women's
clothes. Souri, determined, if she could
secure an entrance into Marks room at
any time after dark, she would give him
her dress and sunbonnet and leave him
to make an attempt. Then she began to
think over plan 10 gain an entrance at
4 specified time.
In the evening her patience was re-
warded. Mark supper was standing on
the stove, Triggs was not in the Jail,
and Mrs. Triggs Went down the stairs
outside TO get something she wanted in
the yard.
Souri, caught up the supper and walked
straight past the guard into Mark 5 room
with it. Mark, who had been informed
of her coming by Jakey. was expecting
her. When he saw the mulatto girl he
grasped her hand.
"Souri! God bless you!' he said in
low tone.
II amt got no time ter talk. I'm
watchin fur chance ter Civ y my
clothes ter go ont with.
But what would you and Jakey do:"
he asked hulTiedly.
9TH amt goen ter hang a boy or a gal.
Pertend ter be sick termorrer II ask fur
some medicine. Mebbe they'll send me
ter git it"
With that she went out When Mrs.
Trisgs came IN she was bonding over the
stove.
"Whar's the Yanks supper" she
asked.
"Oh, 'twar gitten cold, n toted hit
in ter him.
Souri, made herself so useful that she
was permitted to stay about the jail the
neXt day. She managed to keep an in
different mien to all about her, but with
III there was Il tempest, The next morn
ing Mark WAS TO swing. and prcpara-
tiorS Were being made for the purpose.
"lf there war only timc,' thought Souri,,
81 mought help him away, but tomOr-
rcr. and no one being near to see her
Size Wrung her hands. There seemed
bat little chance that. having only one
evening to effect her plans, she would
succeed. 1t could only be by good luck.
In the afternoon Mark began to moan.
TTiggs went in to see him and asked
what was the matter. Mark told him
that he was i'll. As tine afternoon wore
away the prisoner groaned and moaned
till Trggs went back TO him, and Mark
told him that he thought he was go.l
to die Mrs. Triggs carried in his SUI
per, but he refused TO eat.
"What y gotT she asked.
"Cholera, | reckon
"Good LordW
y want some medicine" said Mark.
eff you'll send the black girl for it I'll
pay you and her we'll
"Y' amt got no money"
Yes, | have, but y don't know whai
il is"
Mrs. Triggs reported the matter TO hei
husband, who, fearing that the prisoner
would not bc III condition for the hang,
ing which was TO occur the next morn
ing, consented. Mark was furnished
with scrap of paper and pen, and
wrote the name of mixture he remem
bered for cholera mOlbus. Triggs TOLD
Souri, to warn the druggist not to senC
poison, for he feared Mark might be in
tending TO make way with himself to es
cape the gallows. She was furnished
with money extracted from Jakey's boo
and hurried to town.
When she came back it was quite
dark. Only "a faint line Of light was lef
in the west. As she entered she me
Triggs going out of the gate. She quick
~ mounted the staircase with her hear
in her throat. As soon as she entered
the building she saw that Mrs. Trigg,
was not there; she was in her room
Souri, went on tiptoe to Mrs. Triggs
door and looked III. The woman wa
sitting on a chair by the window wait
ing her return. Souri, went as quickl,
as she could go without being heard t,
the prisoners room.
"Medicine," she said to the guard ant
passed in without waiting permission
leaving the door partly closed behinC
her,
"Here, quick! A burnt cork. Rub ;
ON yer face " sha VVhisDare1