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

A PRISON CHAPLAIN.
Il congratulate you, Jim, from my
very heart, old fellow, though how
you've managed to get so far ahead of
us all can't imagined Vicar of 81
Why, it's a position even l never
dreamed of, and as for you, l always
looked upon you, old man, as regular
prison chaplain and nothing else. No
offense, jim; you know what mean"
1t was indeed with a shock of aston
ishment and almost incredulity that l
had read in my morning paper, only an
hour before, that the Rev. James Bourn,
M. A, of Balliol college, Oxford, at
present chaplain of the Jail at Smithley,
had been appointed by the trustees to
the important post of vicar of S.,
vacant owing to it's previous occupant
having been made bishop. S. was
one of the largest towns of the north,
and its vicar was always a man of i'm
portance in the church. The trustees
had had some of the ablest of church
clergymen applying for the post. and
that my old friend Jim should get it
though no one valued his gifts and zeal
more than l did--seemed to me almost
incomprehensible. Had it been private
patronage ono could have understood it,
but public competition, and against such
competitors!
Jim smiled at my words. We were
again seated in my study.
eyes, Howson," said he, II thought
it would give you turn"
Then he relapsed into silence, but as
1 saw he had something further to tell,
l simply sat waiting for it, without
speaking.
"Howson," pursued he, 'you know
I've some curious notions and secrets,
don't you? You often think them wrong,
but, though not boasting, l generally
find them right in the end. You recol-
lcct my last story and theory, don't you?
That came out all right, didn't it?''
nodded acquiescence.
"Well, old fellow, this is another,
and it has come out all right, too,
thank God. No secret you can have of
hold, so may tell you this. It's to be
between us only, and another who nee
essarily holds it but will keep it safe
enough. know you've not agreed with
me when I've held that this dogging of
prisoners-often only once sinned-by
the detectives after their release from
Jail is altogether bad, but I've always
7 finly 70 A-
as any prisoner really shows penitence
and reformation in earnest do certain
ly think he ought to have a chance and
be left alone. I'm certain there would
be fewer criminals. "
'I've heard that doctrine before from
you, Jim, but what has that to do with
your promotion?"
"Listen," said he.
ut was when l was at Lowmarket,
about eight years ago, that l set out
about 10 o'clock p. M, as my usual
custom was, for walk before retiring
for the night. There is, as you know,
footpath that runs all round the Jail
walls, above mile long, and it was
along this path l always went. The
night being fine and starlight, l took
my sister, who was visiting us, with
me. You remember Muriel girl of
about IS then? We walked along, chat
ting gayly, until we came to the back
of the Jail, about half mile from my
residence, and then, whether it was Ow
ing to the heat of the ovening-a hot
August day it had been-or probably
from natural weakness, for Muriel was
not as strong then as she is now, can t
say, but all of sudden she said, Jim,
don't feel well' and before / could
do anything more she had fallen to the
ground in a faint.
~ had fancied for some few seconds
before this happened that there was a
slight noise and rustic on the other side
of the prison wall, but had set it down
to rats, which were always about the
brook which flows past. AS Muriel fell
heard another slight noise like dull
thud, but was too anxious then to trou-
BILE about IT. l bent over and rubbed
her hands, supporting her as well as
could You may guess how delighted
was to hear steps coming toward me,
though the walker was yet hidden by
the angle of the wall. l needed help
badly. The newcomer was a soldier, by
his clothes, but he stopped suddenly on
seeing us and seemed inclined to turn
back. Seeing had noticed him, how
ever, and observing the situation, after
a slight hesitation he advanced. asked
him to help me back with Muriel to my
house, which he did. He was unusually
quiet and though ! gave him a recital
of what had happened said nothing by
the time we got home Muriel was about
right again and apologized for giving
US so much trouble. We both thanked
the soldier for his kindness, and though
he would have gone on almost forced
him to come inside. We all sat down in
the dining room.
fHarkl What was that sound? Again
Again! The soldier grew pale and start
ed, but knew we'll what it was, though
seldom heard. 1t was the boom of the
prison cannon, telling that prisoner