Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-05-25

LEAKAGE OF the blossomiug trees, which
swayed gently to and fro before the
windows in the light breeze. But
nothing was more remote from the
minds OF our circle, which met every
evening ut certain table for social in
tercourse, than poetical ideas. The
club, of which L was one, consisted
principally of worthy citizens, who
had far greater liking for bright gas.
light than for dim moonlight, and who
appreciated the charms of a good sup
per much more than tho spell of the
loveliest spring night. The topic OF
our conversation was prosiac town gos-
sip, which, as usual, gradually merged
into foolish talk about politics or dis.
cussions concerning the Government,
the theatre, high taxes and similar
subjects. By IL connection of ideas
which l do not now recall, the ques-
ton had arisen whether it was credi-
BILE that PERSONS hair could suddenly
turn gray from violent mental excite.
ment. Part of the company received
the anecdotes current about such cases
with slight doubts, while others most
pitilessly derided persons who were
simple enough to believe such nursery
tales.
Just rs the conversation became
most animated, a man of unusual height
and herculcan frame, whom we had
not previously noticed, rose from q
side table and approached US. His in
telligent features, which bore the
stamp of resolution, seemed spiritual
lied by the large, kindly blue eyes.
But the most striking popularity in
his appearance was the snow white
hair and the gray beard framing his
face, which, at the utmost, indicated
an age of only thirty-fve years.
pardon me if [ enter into your
conversation, he said, bowling cour.
teously. "You are speaking OF sub
iect which greatly interests me. | NY
self am living proof that terrible
mental agitation really does exert the
physical influence which you all
doubt"
His words awakened the utmost in.
terest We made room for him ut our
table, and, after he had taken his seat,
unanimously urged him to tell us
what had caused the whiteness OF his
hair.
The stranger feigned no undue mod
esty, but yielded to our entreaties
and related the following story:
'lf you have ever paid any atten.
tion to American affairs, tho name of
kunurn cannot I,a -, Ca -, linz. "a L.
about the same significance in the
United States as 6pielberg has in Aus.
tria. You must not imagine Auburn
as an immense gloomy prison, a sim
gle large building, but rather u whole
colony OF crlminals-a metropolis of
the miserable outcasts of society. En-.
closed by enormous walls, which rise
menacingly to considerable height
above the plain, are greater number
OF single structures, houses which con-
tain the cells of the prisoners, the
residences of the wardens, barrackg,
hospitals and workshops, all desolate
and dreary, with here and there q bit
OF turf, row of trees, bed of flow.
ers, like an innocent memory OF child
hood among the evil thoughts of n
criminal
Circumstances which [ will not
weary you by recounting had led me,
after completing my education in my
native city, Hamburg, to America,
and after brief time IN New York j
found myself prison surgeon IN Au-
burn, which, as perhaps you know, is
in the State of New York.
81 had charge OF part of the prison
which contained the worst criminals,
men, or, rather, human hyenas, TO
whom blood had ceased to be n very
special liquid, as Mephistopheles terms
1t. Two, who were condemned to life
long Imprisonment in the institution
and were distinguished among the
others by great bodily strength, crafti-
ness and intelligence, had, in conse-
quence of repeated bold and cunning
attempts to escape, been placed under