Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-10-14
HAIR TURNED WHITE

of the spring night struggled for mastery
with the close, tobacco laden atmosphere
which filed the large hall.
A glance out into the night showed the
deep blue heaven overhead and brilliant
full moon, whose cold clear rays sparkled
on the fresh foliage Of the budding trees
as they swayed gently to and fro In the
light breeze. The members of the society
to which l at this time belonged had been
accustomed for some time past to reserve
certain table in the cafe for themselves,
where they met every evening to chat over
and discuss the events of the passing hour.
On the night I am speaking of our con-
yersatlon was of a prosaic enough oharac-
ter, as was only natural in a small town,
and exhausted itself in discussions about
local matters, the theater, taxes and sim
liar humdrum topics.
Through some chance remark which
can no longer recall the question sprang
up whether or not it were really credible
that mans hair could suddenly become
gray in consequence of violent shock to
the mind. Some of those present were
only half inclined to disbelieve this some
what startling theory, while others could
not be sufficiently soathipg in the remarks
they made concerning people who were
simple enough to place any crredence in
such nursery tales.
AS the discussion grew warmer and
warmer, until every member of our party
was engaged either in championing or
combating the question in point, man
seated near us rose slowly, pushing his
chair from him, and approached our table
He was fine, tall fellow, of herculean
build, and his intelligent features, which
bore an expression of great determination,
were rendered very striking by pair of
keen, blue eyes. But what made his APP
pearance still more remarkable was the
fact that both his hair and beard were as
white as snow, although they surrounded
a oountenance which would not permit
one to reckon his age at more than about
IS.
EXCUSE me, gentlemen, if 1 am inter
rupting your conversation, he remarked,
bowling politely to all Of us. "You were
just discussing subject that has more
than ordinary interest for me. I happen
myself to be a living proof that under GER
tain circumstances a terrible shock to the
mind can produce that selfsame physical
effect Of which you were just speaking,
and which the majority Of you seem to
discredit.'
These words naturally excited the curl
osity of all present to the highest degree.
We quickly made room for our new ao-
quaintance at the table, and when he had
seated himself comfortably urged him to
relate to us the circumstances which had
produced such strange and sudden change
in his appearance The stranger told US
this story:
If any Of you gentlemen have ever in
terested yourself closely in American
affairs, the name Of Auburn cannot we'll
be strange to you. 1t denotes much the
same for the United States as Spielberg
does for Austria. You must not picture
Auburn to yourselves merely as a gloomy
and extensive prison, as one large, soil
tary building-no! 1t is rather an entire
colony of criminals, sort Of town or me-
tropolis for the wretches that the commu-
nifty has thrust out
"Shut in by immense walls, which rise
up from the level plain to considerable
height are crowded together a large num-
Der of detached buildings-houses that
contain the prison cells, warders' dwell
ings, hospital and workshops-all sullen
and forbidding looking, and here and
there dotted about may be seen a small
patch Of grass, a few trees and very occa-
sionally flower bed, like the last linger-
Ing recollections of innocent childhood
ho b1oo1r 1fp - o,s,,,
Certain events which would have but
little interest for you had led to my jour-
neying from Hamburg, my birthplace, to
America Immediately after the compile
ton Of my studies, and after short stay
In New York accepted the post Of prison
doctor at Auburn. was intrusted with |
the medical supervision over that part of |
the prison which was set apart for the |
worst class of criminals-men,o or should |
say human hyenas, whose blood, as Meph-
lstopheles says, had already ceased to be |
a fluid Of rare quality.
Two of these wretohes were destined |
TO spend the remainder of their days in the |
prison, and they, by reason of their great |
physical strength, as well as by the ex-
cunning they had evinced in |
several desperate attempts to regain their
freedom, were subjected to even closer su-
ons. I was an object of particular hatred |
ind dislike to these two scoundrels be- |
,ause had been instrumental in the dis
,0very Of a number Of iron implements
which they had concealed under their
,lothes, and again on another occasion be-
,ause had refused to receive them into
he hospital when they had feigned illness,
Expecting doubtless when they were once
n there that they would find more favor
Ible opportunities for accomplishing their
scape. The ruffians were separated and
,laoed in remote parts Of the prison and
we're laden with chains, but in spite Of all
hese precautions one fine morning the
me and few days later the other, togeth-
\ with their chains, had disappeared with
nut leaving trace behind them.
ut must have been almost fortnight
fter the flight Of these two criminals,
which had caused the utmost consterna-
ion among the authorities at Auburn,
hat / ordered my horse one afternoon and
tarted of for ride to Cayuga Bridge. It
1as midday when reached the end Of my
quincy, and stood still for some time
uisite scenery which lay stretched out for
niles before me- The Cayuga lake, one Of
hose which, together with Lake Erie,
ompose that vast system Of inland seas in /
he state Of New York, lay In all its beauty / ,
3 my feet. The long, slender streak Of
liver wound in and out Of the rugged
lack cliffs which hemmed II In and which ,
orc sheer up out Of the lake, facing each