Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-12-02

| linen incl uiSd ppeaA O. "'iN - - =
guard came on duty-Guard Joseph !
CHANGED TO be--wearing shoes with
thick, soft soles that he might make his
rounds in utter silence. But something
went gracefully by him that could s'el
more softly even than he, though II
had four feet to his two.
"oho.' said Guard Joseph to himself
"that puts me in mind of the KID that
sent his love to Sixty-nine.
Tn one flight of stairs after another
went the great. tortoise-shell cat Inc
warden's own especial pet, clear out TO
that end of the fourth range known as
the "murtlerers' wing" where he saI
orayely down by a certain door. a hand
stretched itself through the bars TO pei
and stroke the creature. that responded
with purr like growl.
Two years before the inmate OF thal
cell was placed there in solitary con
| finement for murderous attack upon
a feIlow-prisoner. For two years the
warden's cat had made him this nightly
visit-the wretched couYiet's only
| friend.
"Sixty-nines rather the best of,
! thought Guard Joseph, watching the cat
in its upward journey. Hes got boy
and a boy beats a eat, even II he Is a
lame one"
He walked aloag the corridor. and in
a moment he was standing before the
cell numbered 60. What's upP' asked
the convict. grulily. as he saw the guard
al the grated entrance.
you've got boy, haven't you.
Menly?"
''Yes-one." The prisoner answered
modify What about him2"
Anything the matter with him?'
"lIe was lame" And now there was
a momeutary, anxious culver of the sui
len face.
"Well. be was outside this morning
wanted me to tell You that his aunt
had moved to town; that he was com
ing over to the prison every Saturday,
and that he sent you his love.
Absolute establishment expressed it
self in the mans every feature.
Denny That kid! Why, the child
wasn't much more than five years old,
when" He seemed to lose himself in
painful reflection, and Guard Joseph
went on.
He had made the round Of the ranges
a second time, when, passing the cell
again. he saw Sixty-nine peering anN-
iously through the bars, and asked
"Well. what is it2"
The answer was whispered: as he
very lame"
who? Oh, the boy. Not so very
He gets about pretty brisk. =
The prisoners face worked STRANGE
". Hell never come again." he said,
bitterly. "They won't let him
III he does, you'd like to see him.
wouldn't you?" said the guard, prepar-
ing to move on.
mo, no." cried Mcnly. mot here Ny
edge OF his cot ard hid his face il his
hands.
The guard in the brush shop was
agTeeably surprised next day 10 find
that there was no need of reporting
Sixty-nine for punishment The i'm.
provement in his manner and conduct
continued until Saturday. when he was
noticed 10 be restless and uneasy; his
eyes constantly followed Guard Joseph
now ca day duty-whenever that Off
Ger came within their range
''Umph.." said Guard Joseph. sudden-
~ recollecting the lame boy. 81 eunss
know what that means" And moved
by the dumb entreaty in the prisoners
eyes. he went down to the guardhousr.
The moment the gate swung open
there was shrll, joyous cry. Denny
popped into view all a-tremble with de
light.
Il hoped it was you. mister. | just
hoped it was you. Tell daddy I've
come"
When the message was carried back
to Sixty-nine, he said almost humbly
Thank you. sir. l thank you"
The guard heard him groaning in his
sleep that night. and he woke himself
calling on the names of wife and child
The season rapidly advanced. Down
from the frozen northern seas swept
winter with his storms of snow and
sleet. The turhid river shivered under
its icy s1lee:. or swollen by rain and
tfaw. Carried il crashing against the
bridge Aieys, and almost to its floor;
but storm o calm ice-bound or rushing
river, little Dennis Menly toiled across
it each recurring Saturday, and waited
in the shadow ul the prison walls for
chance to send his weekly message 70
his father.
Sometimes II was Guard Joseph.
somelines some Of the other guards OF
worimeD. Gree or twice il was IN.
warden iislscff that heard the cry:
please, sir, tea daddy I've come"
sounding ha.skily from the folds Of
NoGleu comforter Quite frequently
there was :. little rift with the message !
IAN apple, a rop corn ball. some candy:
once, brief, ill-spelled poorly-written
letter that tic warden coughed over
for of course it was read before it was
given TO the ooneict-aud that Sixty |
nine hid away in the bosom Of his