Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-01
ICRANDALL'S ESCAPE.

The prison stands upon little elevated
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
a 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
yada sky. 1t was SO still that the sound
of the bells on a 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.
mfr Jarrett wants to know, sir, II 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. Il 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
or each meal Here Jarrett Joined them.
He was q tall, burly man, with great
heavy shoulders, q massive head, and quick,
keen eyes. They stood on one side while
the men filed out, numbered, and at the
clang of bell slowly dispersed in all
directions over the great stoneyard.
You see," Jarrett remarked, striding
ahead of the reporter, 1.-The yard s quarry
guarded on three sides by natural stone
walls. On the fourth-well, here's where
Crandall had hidden his gun. Here's
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 / 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,
laughing SlGD, CTtDb biiC puI
stoneyard They were like so much locked
I'D 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 watohful> 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 tho 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
Eyes" said Jarrett ungraciously, 1.-THE
lucky garden is a pretty spot, but it'll
be ID unlucky for the next man who
tries Crandall's trick"
'This was his garden"
Jarrett nodded. st took him three
months to get enough earth to make the
bed on tho 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 bud could DO 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. Yons the linnet Crandall trap
ped" He lifted tho clumsily fashioned
wooden cage from its place among the
vines, but nothing moved inside.
ttII,,, Jocl-v, IorI.,tt cajlal tO ono of
the men, who came limping up. He
touched his old hat.
"Where's Crandall's linnet?"
"It-got away" said the man hesitat-
aGot away did its" repeated Jarrett
"When?"
"Don't know. When I 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
mfr. expectin to see tho mad thing dash its
silly red head agin the bars and Shrek
till its throat was hoarse. But the bird
was gone"
Jarrett nodded Understandings.
"Crandall set the bird lose before he
made his break, I'll swear. Wish I'd
Unknown it," no said to the young man
after they had turned to re-enter the
prison.
They passed through the cells till they
came to the ono tho murderer had occu
pied. 1t seemed to the young man that
tho small, compact dcns were tainted, in
spite of the rigorous, institutional cleanli
ness. He gaspcd and grew faint. He fol
lowed Jarrett eagerly out of the Enclosure
and drew long free breath when they
were once moro in the open. But, being
young and rather inexperienced, he was
ashamed of his ernotion, and, what was
worse to him, afraid that it had been re-
marked. Assuming an air of ferocity, he
turned his boyish, good natured face to the
guard and said in his most offhand man.
ner:
Its tough that the posse had left be.
fore l came. I'd liked mighty well to get
a look ut tho fellow"
"Hor" laughed Jarrett. you'd like to
be with the posses Well, that'u be easy
enough. Look yonder." He pointed out
toward the long, white, dusty road. "There
come some Of them now. If they haven't