West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-03-04

'4iAF snip W NAAp hAAlbAlAlNH VI IONWnY
Bay will count for much In my favor
I'm thinking, sir, that if all goes we'll
and you see me trying to do what's
right you'll overlook the past and be
willing 10 speak in my favor"
THAT will be the business of the doc
tor or the captain" replied, "but |
certainly shall not refuse to do what
may come III my way"
Thanks, sir. / spoke to YOU instead
OF the captain for the reason that we
were mixed up in the case back there
and because tried TO swear your life
away. That's all, and while l know Won
can't forgive me as a man, do hope
you may find it in your heart to give
me show as n convict under sentence
for life and never 70 sec his native coun-
try again.
You Will want to know what impress
sion his penitence made ON me. Sailors
ere neither hard hearted nor ovorsns.
picious as n class, but / should have had
a more favorable opinion Of Ben John.
son and my mind would also have been
easier about things below deck had he
not sought the interview. AS a matter
Of fact did not believe word he said.
His past career, his present demeanor
the very tone in which he spoke, made
me doubtful of his sincerity. No man
can point me oat case where villainy
has been whipped out Of a mans heart
through his hide. | was satisfied that
the man was playing part which
would come TO the surface later on, and
his promises and protcstations did not
cause me to relax my vigilance one jot
If / have given you the idea that
was carrying most Of tho burden on my
shoulders, let me explain that as inato
or the ship my responsibilities were not
confined 10 caring for the craft during
roy watch. Knowing as we did that tho
doctor was not to be fully trusted. / had
TO have an eye out IN his direction. It
was one Of my duties 20 make % daily
inspection Of the food furnished the
conyicts. ] had to make daily cxami-
nation Of tho cages between decks In
company with the doctor I had to over.
see the gangs while they were bciug
bathcd or washed down on deck The
government required daily reports from
the ships officers as we'll as the doctor
on several matters. Then, you will re-
member, ] was part owner Of the bark
and financially interested I'm the voyage,
and you may guess the fact Of Mary
Williams being aboard did not serve 70
lessen my anxietics
We had run south until of the Hottcn.
tot coast carrying favorable winds and
fine weather and having no more trouble
with cur convicts, when something like
tragedy happened ono afternoon. Tho
breeze died away soon after noon, leav-
ing the ship lazily beaying on the
ground swell We had among The pris-
Cncrs n young man named Edgar Davis
in one way and another by that timo 1
had come TO know what particular
crime most every one was guilty Of
Davis oGense was passing q forged
Iheck Tie belonged 20 No 9 gang. and
had picked him out from the first M
being " the better class 80 homo. When
rallied upon 90 give bic trade, ho replied
that ha bad uguo bCiuX ealesman iu
silk store for several years previous to
bis conviction Hc stated that he ygas "a
good penman, however, aud asked 10 be
allowed some light work Of that sort
owing TO bis poor state of health After
couple ~ weeks tho doctor detailed
him 90 ON out tho various blanks no..
quIrrd hy tho government aud later on
] Turned over part ~ my work tO him.
ii. was quiet spoken young man, and
the three or four months Doc had been
iupri 1uad bad broken down Dol health.
Tn.r. Was ro doubt BOO his owu mind
that consumption had fast hold ou
lim.
Davis told me his story one day. Us
bod Irsoutrd tho check and got Tho
money lYr another having uo idea that
anything was wrong 7 cannot recall all
taa particulars at fIie Dat. day, butt am
free go Say That Die story Impressed me
O. being truthful Dc bad boon SEN.
fenced fog t.u years Il. l.I bot as
t"m. tle role 81 Is martyr. ga most con.