Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-06-08


door to ask who had escaped learned
it was No. 2S5, a young man, doing
five years for forgery, his first offense,
and prisoner l had much pitied. His
crime had been committed to save a
mother and sister from almost starva-
ton, which could not be kept off by the
Is shillings a week he had earned, and
the judge had, in my opinion, been
unusually severe on him. By his gentle
ness and attention he had gained my
friendship, but the imprisonment was
telling on him, and his mother and sis
ter were well nigh heartbroken.
II felt sorry he had tried to escape, as
it would go hard with him if captured,
and l returned sadly to my room and
companions. The soldier, almost for the
first time, lifted up involuntarily his
eyes and looked straight at me- Good
heavens. it was No. 2S5!
''He saw recognized him, and remain
ed motionless. For few seconds,
though indeed it seemed to me life
time, sat utterly Frustrated, not know
ing what to do. What would you have
done, Howson? l could not call in the
warders and say, Here is your man,
No 2S5, for he was my guest. my
self had invited him in, even against
his will. Besides he had remained, even
at such fearful risk to himself, to help
mo and Muriel in our necessity! Could
you have surrendered him, Arthur?
Moreover, knew how he had repented
Il; to
whose lives were dimmed for ever Yet
my duty to the country, to the govern
ment, to the prison-what about that?
l sent Muriel to bed, and with an affec-
tionate good night to me and thanks to
her benefactor she went.
1t cost me long struggle, Arthur,
and the clock hands pointed to nearly
12 before my decision was settled Then,
turning to the fugitive, who had never
spoken so far, said, as if ignoring al
together the recognition, though knew
he saw it all:
I thank you, sir, for your kind aid.
AS it is now very late'-I emphasized
this-'you had better stay overnight
and go tomorrow; any time you please
another emphasis-'and trust your
future career will be as honorable and
noble as should like it to be-
HE bent his head solemnly, said,
Thank you very much for your kind
ness, which l shall never forget, and
followed me to the bedroom.
''No one knew he was in the houseb but
myself. l attended to him, and at dusk
next evening he departed
II need rot tell you that the search of
the prison authorities, Howson, was all
in vain, and of course in a very short
time No. 2S5 was practically forgotten
by everybody, the police most of all,
though l myself had always half ex-
pected to have a note from him some
day, saying how he was getting on
But 1t was vain hope.
"And now comes the curious part of
my story. have begun lately, certain
ly more so since my marriage, to get
somewhat tired of the dull routine of
prison chaplaincy and most of all for
Elias sake. She has found it very dis
tasteful this last year or so. So l have
been looking out for Il benefce, How
son, but l scarcely need tell you | never
dreamed of such post as vicar of
s.. l should as soon have expected
being made archbishop of Canterbury
Yet when heard it was vacant. some
thing within me impelled me to apply
for it, and | did so. There were, as you
know, a tremendous number of applica-
tions, some from men whom had long
learned to respect as lights of the
church, and nobody was more surprised
than myself when found was one of
the eight selected candidates.
1T seems, then, that committee was
chosen to go and hear these eight
preach, without their knowing it, at
their churches, and some of them heard
me at st. Polycarp's about three weeks
ago. Thus two of us were selected out
of the eight and appeared before the
trustees some ten days ago. After many
questions and explanations the trustees
voted, we being in tho next room, and
it was found there were four for the
other gentleman and four for myself.
The mayor of S., who was chairman
of the trustees, had been unexpectedly
called away that morning, and in his
absence the gentleman who had been
placed in the chair seemed unwilling to
give casting vote under the circum-
stances. The meeting was therefore
postponed for a week, and we were
called up again on Monday. My oppo-
uent had the first interview; followed.
'The mayor was In the chair. Natu-
rally l felt somewhat nervous, but you
may imagine, Howson, what really felt
when l saw that the mayor of S.
was No. 2S5! 1t was not at first l recog-
nized him, but when he spoke the voice
seemed familiar, and gradually traced
the resemblance. much altered though
he was by his beard and whiskers. 1t
was mutual recognition, but he was
much calmer than was, and acted as
though Twas perfect stranger, in fact
as acted toward him on that never to
be forgotten night.
II soon found by the way his fellows
spoke of him how much he was respect
ed and esteemed. The interview was
soon over, and went out half dazed,
must admit, yet not wholly sad.
I'm a few minutes ! was called In
again, and informed that, by five votes
to four, had been elected to the vacant
post, and was asked if ] would accept
the offer of it. OF course ] accepted it,
| and thanked them all. need not tell
you whose the fifth vote was, Howson,
though l may say that ! have since
learned his mother was dead when he