The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-08-22
CRAIDALL'S ESCAPE.

stretch of ground, it's tall trees and trim,
green yard contrasting with the dreary
barrenness of the low, sagebrush covered
hills which lie about it in all directions.
Young Paddock, who had been sent by his
paper to report anything of interest con-
corning Crandall's escape, drove up over
the dusty road and alighted at the great
barred doors. He found to his disappoint-
ment that the warden and his posse were
still out on the hills, and he sat down with
bored air upon bench in front Of the
low stone building to await their return.
The day was warm and bright, the sun
beaming broadly down from the clear Ne
vada sky 1t was SO still that the sound
of the bells on mule train passing just
beyond the stone walls sounded dreamily
through the hazy summer morning long
after the heavy wagons were out of sight
Paddock was almost doing when man
in stripes approached.
Mr. Jarrett wants to know, sir, if you'd
care to see the men turned out in the
yard"
Paddock rose lazily. "why, yes-I
guess SO. You''-
''I'm a trusty, you know. =" the man said,
with a half laugh. II unlock the inside
gate. Please come this way"
They passed the outer gate, through the
corridor, and then came to the tall barred
door through which the convicts pass aft
er each meal. Here Jarrett joined them.
He was tall, burly man, with great
heavy shoulders, a massive head, and quick,
keen eyes. They stood on one side while
the men filed out, umbered, and at the
clang of bell slowly dispersed in all
directions over the great stoneyard.
You see" Jarrett remarked, striding
ahead Of the reporter, the yard S quarry
guarded on three sides by natural stone
walls. On the fourth-well, here's where
where he crept up the earth wall. Here's
where my shot caught him, in the Shout
der, think. But the mans got the luck
of satan to back up his courage for gen
eral break of the men on this side follow
ed. We settled them pretty quick. but
Crandall-oh, what's the use of talkin of
these things? They jest happen, and I'm
bowed if I know who's to blame" He
turned away, swearing under his breath.
Paddock's languor had all disappeared
back here, where the men, with listless,
tagging step, crept around the sun baked
stoneyard. They were like so much locked
up capital, which the states hard times
had condemned to heartbreaking idleness.
Being denied the privilege of occupation,
they talked indifferently AMONG them
selves, becoming dumb and wAtchful at
the guards approach, or tended their lit
tie gardens which the unwearying, labo-
rious patience of long, monotonous years
had built up in the corner of the rock
Here, in the most sheltered spot, which
even the bitter mountain storms had spar
ed, was one little plot of green which more
than the others attracted Paddock's at
tention, for the vines and bushes were
fresh and thrifty, the few vegetables were
crisp and fourishing, and the graceful
morning glories and sweet peas, aided by
the implanted trellises and much knotted
string, clambered high up on the rocky
walks.
Yes" said Jarrett ungraciously, 'sthe
lucky garden is pretty spot, but it'll
be ID unlucky for the next man who
tries Crandall's trick
"This was his garden?''
Jarrett nodded. TT took him three
months to get enough earth to make the
bed on the rock, and the winter had come
by the time he'd managed to get it fenced
in. But he took more pride in this bit of
green. He knew every blade of grass, and
not a bud could be picked without his no.
ticin. Course none of the cons would
touch thing, but we've visitors some
times that haven't sense enough to be out
of Jail. Yon's the linnet Crandall trap
ped He lifted the clumsily fashioned
wooden cage from it's place among the
vines but nothing moved inside.
'sHey, Jack!" Jarrett called to one of
the men, who came limping up. He
touched his old hat.
s'Where's Crandall's linnet?"
"It-got away said the man hesitat-
ingly.
''Got away, did it?" repeated Jarrett
"When?'
Don't know. When took the garden
for the plants were almost dead for wa
teri lifted the paper Crandall always
pinned over the cage to keep the hot sun
off, expectin to see the mad thing dash it's
silly red head agin the bars and shrek
till it's throat was hoarse. But the bird
was gone.'
Jarrett nodded Understandings.
s'Crandall set the bird lose before he
made his break, I'll swear. Wish I'd
a-known it, he said to the young man
after they had turned to re-enter the
prison.
They passed through the cells till they
| came to the one the murderer had occu-
pied. 1t seemed to the young man that
the small, compact dens were tainted, in
spite of the rigorous, institutional cleanli.
ness. He gasped and grew faint. He fol
lowed Jarrett eagerly out of the Enclosure
and drew long free breath when they
| were once more in the open. But, being
| young and rather inexperienced, he VII:
ashamed of his emotion, and, what was
| worse to him, afraid that it had been re-
marked. Assuming an air Of ferocity, he
| turned his beyish good natured face to the
| guard and said in his most offhand man
ner:
cts tough that the posse had left be
| fore came. I'd liked mighty we'll to gel
| look at the fellow
| ''Ho!" laughed Jarrett You'd like te
be with the posses Well, that'n be easy
enough. Look yonder." He pointed out
toward the long white, dusty road. 'sThere
| cop,a coma of them now IF thau bovop,1