The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-03-17
A WOMAN'S LITTLE GAME
BY CHARLES b, LEWIS.
copyright, 1881

old bachelor. l can say without ego
tism that could have placed the yoke
of matrimony over my neck score of
times between the ages of 20 and 40,
but did not elect to do so. 1t seemed
o great deal better TO keep my liberty,
and to fall in love with new face about
once a month. A bachelor can do this,
YOU know, while a married man is
bound by certain ties not easily broken.
Up to the time l was appointed war
den of the Keswick prison l had been
in love just AZ times. That was an
average of twice year, which think
is doing very well for modest, retir-
ing man who was baldheaded at the
age of %, and yet not too much for a
man with natural leaning toward the
tair sex. was appointed warden not
because of any peculiar fitness, but as
a political reward for assisting to elect
a certain candidate for governor. l
think best to admit this, lest you find
il out from other sources. l held the
place for year and half, and the
records of the prison and the files of
the newspapers prove that l was
"soft mark"
The keswick prison was for both
sexes, ard when l took charge it con-
tanned $50 male and 80 female convicts.
felt sorry for the females, even before
the keys bad been turned over to me.
and they soon discovered that l was
ready to listen to their stories and DO
my best 10 ameliorate their condition.
lu the course of a month l was pretty
well satisfied that at least so out of 80
were entirely innocent of the crimes
charged, and that the other ten ought
to have new trials at least. Fifteen of
the women were in for murder-cold-
blooded murder, the courts said-but
when they had told me all about it |
could see where witnesses had per-
jured themselves aud jurors had shown
their thirst for revenge. l tried to
make things very easy for the female
contingent, actuated solely by natural
courtesy towards the sex, and think
the newspapers that criticised Inc so
severely should have been sued for
slander.
In eight months the governor, more
to oblige me than for any other reason,
pardoned 20 of the females, and among
them were five under sentence for MUIR
der. should have recommended him
to pardon at least 20 more before the
year was out if the opposition hadn t
got after us and made things hot.
There was an investigation, a great
deal of talk, and as result | had to
repress my natural gallantry and wait
for things to cool down. 1t was during
this period of waiting that the vaults
OF the state treasury were robbed of
100000 in cold cash. The trick was
done by one man, and in the neatest
manner. He drove up 10 the building
at high noon in carriage and entered
the treasurer's office. The money had
just been bundled up to go to the bank,
and these packages were lying on a
table with two clerks to guard them.
The robber gave one clerk a clip over
the head, bound and gagged the other,
and the packages were carried out and
dumped into the carriage in the nerviest
sort OF way. He had 20 minutes the
start OF pursuit. and though over
hauled after hot chase of an hour.
every dollar of the money had dsap-
peared. AS he had not thrown it away
during his flight the idea was that he
had either stopped at some house in
town Tor moment or met another car
rage according to arrangement. The
problem seemed easy of solution, but
though it was worked upon for weeks
oy many detectives nothing was dis
covered.
lhe captured robber was young
and good-looking man who gave his
name as Charles Day. He refused any
information as to his home or people,
ana insisted on pleading guilty when
arralgned for the robbery. There was
great sensation over the loss of the
money. as the state was heavily in
aeot' with a big interest to pay, and
the party in power, from governor
down to janitor, got daily raking for
many long weeks. 1t was even
charged that certain click of us put
up the robbery and were to whack up
with the robber. This was bold
laced scandal, of course, but it mate
rally dimmed our prestige and almost
caused NE 10 doubt the innocence of a
fresh lot of female convicts sent in for
various crimes against the law. They
made quick work of sending Charles
Day to prison for 20 years, and
owing to the personal attack of the
opposition l was rather preiudiced
against him as he came under nv
charge. His general dcmeanor and
oaily conduct were, however, beyond
any faulttinding. Reports from my
oeputy proved him a model prisoner.
ne hunt for the money did not cease
when the prison doors shut him in. st
ieast ten detectives were constantly at
Work TO discover where and how it had
oeen transhipped and the state was
readfSSo pay $4,000 to the lucky man.
every day or two some of these de-
.ectives wanted an interview with the
prisoner, and while their requests were
generally granted. the deputy warden
was always present. Nothing of mo-
4 ment was gained from Day, and had