The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-11-29
coNv10rs' THANKSGIVING.
How the Blessed influence of the
Day Made Bright the Prisoners

benches; platform on which there is
desk and parlor organ; light stream
ing in from queer barred windows far
up the whitewashed walls; an air Of re-
preston even in the solitary fly buzz
ling about; a silence almost visible fill
ing the whole space.
A door near the platform opens and
bushy-whiskered man enters. He es-
corts up the steps to seats back of the
organ and desk number Of ladies and
gentlemen. He carries a heavy cane,
which he grips tightly as he returns to
the door, where four stalwart fellows
also armed with canes are ranged He
asks them some question to which they
nod assent, and then remounting the
platform presses button in the wall
A bell clangs responsive to his touch,
the great gates at the other end of the
apartment swing wide, and there march
in thousand men whose heads are
downcast, whose faces are clean-shav-
en- and whose garments are alike as to
every detail.
The right hand Of each rests on the
shoulder Of the person just in front Of
him, and the step of the multitude is
| synchronous. AT the word of command
each company takes acertain aisle and
| goes to designated seats. All about in
the passageways are more people with
| canes. Another touch Of the electric
bell, and the big entrance closes. Six
guards armed with revolvers have their
! station there. ~ r. r.. '%=-
The bushy-whiskered man motions to
his companions on the platform. A
lady seats herself at the organ, the 9TH
ers cluster about her, and in a moment
the room is filled with melody Pa
| triotic songs follow old-fashioned
hymns. Then the village pastor sends
up petition to heaven on behalf Of
those assembled, and follows his pray
er with short address touching in it's
tenderness and appeal. Again the
bushy-whiskered man comes into prom
inence. He stands by the desk and
says:
| 'Men, since / have been warden of
this prison have never known a
twelve month in which greater order
and good discipline have prevailed
than in the one just ended. I wish to
show that I appreciate your obedience.
After dinner the remainder of the day
is yours. You may talk, smoke and
sing as much as you like, and each
corridor in succession will be granted
the freedom of the yards for exercise
Guard IL, direct convict 1,132 to step
this way"
At the order a man still young, but
inefable sadness on his face, walked to
the front. He stands silently before
the warden who continues:
Il think you all know and like this
man. He has nursed you in sickness
advised you against foolish outbreaks
and, although never a talebearer OF
spy, has greatly aided the keepers anC
myself in elevating the tone of the pris
on, and in rendering somewhat toler
able the restraint the law has put upo1
you. James Wharton he went on
; turning to the man before him, "yol
are no longer 1.132; you are now FIRE,
citizen of the United States, with al
your rights restored The governor hal
granted you full pardon; your wife
mother and children wait for you il
the office; the big farm wagon is out
side the wall gates, and this Afternoon
you may eat your dinner in the oil
country house where you were born.
The assemblage comes as near ap
plauding as it ,dares, the organ strike
up, praise God From Whom all Bless
ings fow," and James Wharton fall
fainting to the floor.