The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-23
THE TRUSTY.

the penitentiary as lessee, he pleasantly
remarked to his daughter that she was
to be a queen, ruling over a kingdom
of crime. This was remembered as the
old mans nearest approach TO sentiment
He was bluff and burIy. designed by ma
ture to be a driver rather than a leader
OF men. exacting in his family. demand
ing in business with that strength OF
expression which sometimes results
from lack of words; passionate un-
reasonable. impulsively affectionate or
violently cruel. When the legislature
voted to accept the colonel's proposition
the shrewd business men Of the town
said that the prison was now in good
hands. that instead Of being a burden
on the state it would henceforth yield
revenue. And the prisoners were soon
made to feel that this was fact. Three
lazy men were whipped the first day,
taken out Of the hospital. and hogged
IN the prison yard. Laziness was at a
discount after that, and even a lame fell
low, who had hitherto walked with a
painful limp, perceptibly "mended his
ticks"
When the old colonel told his daughter
that she was to rule over a kingdom OF
crime she smiled at him and said that
she thought he might have provided her
with more pleasant lot Of subjects
but added laughingiy that a kingdom of
crime doubtless better than no king
dom at all.
Joking aside" said he, my taking
charge Of this prison is an advantage to
you"
'Socially?" she asked twinkling a mis-
chievous glance at him.
wei, I don't know about that. I do
know. however. that II won't hurt you
socially. i had a prison a long time ago
and your mother Didn't find that it hurt
her any"
But society was not so exacting in
those days. she replied.
"Bosh. Society exacts from the I'M
successful; the successful eXacts from
society. Seriously. now, go out there and
select a trusty that you want to take
care Of your horse and buggy, an all
round servant. in fact"
':Select a trusty? And what is a
trusty2'
Haven't you become that we'll ac-
ouainted with the affairs of your king
I dom? y trusty is a convict who can be
trusted. not with your money. but with
his own liberty. fellow who hasn't
much longer TO serve and whose time
will be still further shortened by good
behavior"
Dne?'
Yes, and you may come on now and
pick him out"
They went into the prison yard The
prisoners were coming in from work.
There was to be an inspection Of the
prison the next day and they were given
an afternoon during which to brush
themselves up, 10 appear well kept.
Over the stone wall they skulked. shrink
ing from the sight of that burly man.
their new master. a master more exact
ing than the outraged law.
What do you think of them?" the
colonel asked.
81 hope that I shall not be compelled
10 think Of them very long. It's hor-
rible 10 see human beings dressed that
way and to know why. 1 believe I'd
rather hire a servant"
We'll but it will be a kindness to the
man you select"
"Wnl it?"
"Of course. His life will be made twice
as easy. You may select from that gang
over there by the pump. Not those down
there; they are murderers."
Gracious she replied with a shudder,
AZ don't want a murderer"
He laughed with a deep. unmirthful.
grunt-
"Oh. yonder's nice looking man."
she suddenly called out. Don't YOU see
him at the pump?'''
Yes. say. there calling to an over
seer. send that slim fellow over here"
The slim fellow approached and obse-
QuiOusly touched his cap. And this is
the dialogue that took place between the
master and the slave:
What's your name?"
John Carter. sir
What are you in for?"
Forgery. sir
'Ah. and you were innocent. of
course?"
We'll. / reckon the jury knew its
business. How much longer have you
got to server
Three years. sir. I was sent up for
five"
You are a trusty. I believer"
Yes, sir: have been for some time"
DO you know how to take care of a
horse -
u can do most anything, sir"
do you see this young lady?"
The fellow blushed. We'll. she is nv
daughter and I want you TO take care
of her horse. to do anything else that
she may require of you. In short you
belong to her until your times up. Do
you hear?"
Yes. sir. When must begin belong
ing 10 her2''
Tomorrow morning"
He touched his cap and withdrew
What promotion il meant for him.
During the winter he had with a baIky
team. drawn firewoOd from the scrub
oak and pine knobs of the neighborhood:
and one day while walking beside his
dear by-gone. the wagon turned over
into a gully. There he stood helpless
appalled, at what he knew would follow
the severe punishment Of his careless
ness. The punishment came He I'M
hitched the horses and led them to the
prison. he fed them. and went in TO de-
liver his report and to be logged He
wondered if the young woman were
cruel Would she drive about with him
and then at evening have him whipped
for some fancied neglect? She was
handsome, but weren't the most beauti-
ful women the most heartless? But af-
ter all. IL was a promotion ah and he
run away. This thought thrilled him.
but he soon smOthered IL. To run away
would not be right after she had done
him the honor of selecting him from
among so many. If he had wanted to
run away why hadn't he done so when
he stood looking at his load of wood
tumbled into the gully, when he had
known that the lash was waiting for
him? No. he would not run away: he
would serve the young woman, would
be her slave.
Early the next morning he reported
for duty She laughed at him for com
Ing so soon. She told him that 10 sleep
late was good for the nerves; that he
must take care Of his nerves. She re-
membered his blush OF the day before
and she sought TO say something to