Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-01-18
che tool, nail of water and scrubbing

supper and eating her share, "'n don
know whar 1 gwine t. git any breakfast
less come n cook fur y"
Mrs. Triggs succeeded in getting her
husbands consent to Souri, coming back
in the morning, and the man went out
to the gate with her and told her if the
guard did not pass her in to send for him.
She was at the Jail bright and early
and got in on telling the sentinel that
she was Mrs. Triggs' servant. She
cooked the breakfast, and when she saw
Triggs about to carry Marks meat and
corn bread into him she offered to do it,
but Triggs paid no attention to the offer
and carried it in himself.
Then she asked Mrs. Triggs when she
did her washing, and as the old woman
had no regular time and not many
clothes Souri, offered to do what there
was. When she went out to hang up
the clothes to dry Jakey was in the yard.
| She called him to her and in 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
somersaults on the ground and other
wise demonstrated his childishness to
Mrs. Triggs, who at that moment ap-
peared at window, but not before
Souri, had told Jakey to inform Mark of
her presence, and that she would try to
get into his room as soon as she could
be intrusted with 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 mending she offered to undertake
the task, and spent the afternoon over
the old woman's threadbare garments.
All this while Souri, was thinking of q
plan for Marks escape. She learned
that he was to be hanged in 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 q plan to gain an entrance at
specified time.
In the evening her patience was re-
warded. Marks 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, caughtup the supper and walked
straight past the guard into Marks 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.
81 amt got no time ter talk. I'm
watchin fur a chance ter Civ y my
clothes ter go out with"
"But what would you and Jakey dor
he asked hurriedly.
eth amt goen ter hang boy or a gal.
Pertend ter be sick termorrer n ask fur
some medicine. Mebbe they'll send me
ter git it."
With that she went out. When Mrs.
Triggs came in she was bending over the
stove.
"Whar's the Yank's supperr 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
in there was tempest. The next morn
ing Mark was to swing, and prepara-
tions were being made for the purpose.
fH there war only time," thought Souri,,
81 mought help him away, but tomor-
rerp and no one being near to see her
she wrung her hands. There seemed
but little chance that, having only one
evening to effect her plans, she would
succeed. It could only be by good luck
In the afternoon Mark began to moan.
Triggs went in to see him and asked
what was the matter. Mark told him
that he was i'll. As the afternoon wore
away the prisoner groaned and moaned
till Triggs went back to him, and Mark
told him that he thought he was going
to die. Mrs. Triggs carried in his sup
per, but he refused to eat
"What y got" she asked.
"Cholera, I reckon"
"Good Lord"
II want some medicine" saiu Mark.
IF you'll send the black girl for it I'll
pay you and her we'll"
"Y' amt got no money"
eyes, have, but y don't know whar
it is"
Mrs. Triggs reported the matter to her
husband, who, fearing that the prisoner
weuld not be in condition for the hang
ing which was to occur the next morn
ing, consented. Mark was furnished
with a scrap of paper and pen, and
wrote the name of mixture he remem-
bered for cholera morbus. Triggs told
Souri, to warn the druggist not to send
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 Jakeys boot
and hurried to town.
When she came back it was quite
dark. Only faint line of light was left
in the west. AS she entered she met
Triggs going out of the gate. She quick
ly mounted the staircase with her heart
in her throat. As soon as she entered
the building she saw that Mrs. Triggs
was not there; she was in her room.
Souri, went on tiptoe to Mrs. Triggs
door and looked in. The woman was
sitting on a chair by the window wait
ing her return. Souri, went as quickly
as she could 90 without being heard to
the prisoners room.
"Medicine," she said to the guard and
passed in without waiting permission,
leaving the door partly closed behind
her.
Here, quick! A burnt cork. Rub It
on yer face" she whispered.
Mark seized the cork and applied it.
Souri, stood in the corner with her back
to him, and taking off her dress threw it
10 him. Mark took off his outer clothes
and threw them to her. Each put on
the others garments, Mark inclosing his
head in the sunbonnet.
Looking the gratitude he did not dare
to speak; pressing her hand and carry
ing it to his lips, Mark passed out.
The guard wondered why Souri, looked
so tall and strapping.