The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-09

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exercise of the talents with which ma
ture had literally endowed him.
To while away the dull hours of his
he learned to play the
fiddle. In this instrument he discov-
cred new language in which to ex-
press his disappointment and sorrow,
his deep affection for his sweetheart
and all the tumultuous emotions that
harassed his melancholy soul. Plaintive
strains of melody. waited through the
bars of his cell. reached the ears of ro-
mantle damsels in the outer world. and
they would gather under his window of
pleasant summer evening to exchange
sighs of pity on his behalf. for his story
had got abroad in Goshen. and he had
become the ideal hero of many a senti
mental heart.
Months rolled by. and still Robin re-
manned prisoner. No trial had been
accorded him, nor was there the slight
est prospect of a hearing for his case,
and all this while he had received no
word or token from Zadie 1t was ap-
parent that the vigilance of her father
was never for a moment relaxed and
that no messages could pass between
them. The strains of the fiddle were
now SO melancholy and grief laden that
one of the prisoners fair listeners was
moved to active pity and resolved to
offer him substantial consolation.
Joe Westbrook, the jailkeeper, had
a very beautiful daughter named Polly.
She was of great assistance to him in
his work inasmuch as she had assumed
the entire duty of providing food for
the prisoners And now that one of
them had interested her sympathies che
took upon herself the further duty Of
taking their meals to them in person.
1t may have been the result Of acci-
dent, but. singularly enough, the full
est plate and the choicest viands now
found their way through the "grief
hole of Edward Robins cell Occa-
sionally a delicacy not included in the
Sometimes it was quail or partridge,
sometimes flask of wine There was
no mistaking the significance of these
gifts. They informed him that mys-
terious friend was taking an interest in
his welfare
As soon as he was convinced Of the
fact he resolved to ascertain this per.
sons identity. so he set himself to
watching Heretofore it had been his
custom to keep aloof when his meals
were brought him; now. however, he
determined to take them in person from
the tray The next time his ''griei
hole was opened for the introduction
of food, therefore. he advanced to the
door and greeted the tray bearer with
a cheerful salutation.
"Good day to you. friendl'' he CRIED
as he took the dish proffered him. 81
thank you most gratefully for your at
tention.
| A deep drawn sigh was the only an
swer to his words.
"WhatI Have you no cheering re
ply for me?" he asked. beginning t.
suspect the truth. ''Come, let us SHAKE
hands. for I bear you no grudge. al
though you are my jailer.
AS he had anticipated, slendel
white hand and just the suggestion O.
an intrancingly lovely arm were thrus
through the ''grief hole. !" and. after h
had pressed the fingers. Withdrawn il
timid haste.
tGod bless you, my friendr" ex
claimed Robin. with genuine feeling
''for. whoever you may be, am sur
you sympathize with my unhapp.
fate
"Alas, SIR" answered the sad, swee
voice. 'who would not sympathize witt
you3"
Further conversation between then
was interrupted by the sound of foot
steps in the corridor. Nevertheless thei
brief interview was sufficient to con
vince the prisoner that he had made
friend upon whom he could rely.
Every day thereafter Polly Westbrool
found opportunities to visit the cell O
the captive when no prying eyes wer
near and cheer him with consolin
words. Like Pyramus and Thisbe o
old. they whispered through a wall, tn
"grief hcle'' affording them an cas-
means Of communication.
It soon became apparent to Roblil
that the girl was desperately in low
with him He was still too deeply en-
amored with Zadie Price to fully retur
her affection. Nevertheless he regarde
her with an admiring fondness whic
might in time ripen into more tende
feeling. And now an event occurre
which brought this very thing to pass.
Driven to desperation by the entrea1
les and commands of her tyrant fathe
lZadie at last married old Caleb Shurkel
As soon as this was consummated, Farm
er Price paid visit to the Goshen ja
and communicated the news to youn
Robin. Indeed he took a maliciou
pleasure in so doing. At first the youn
man was completely Frustrated 81
flung himself down on his pallet. and
turning his face to the wall, abandone
himself to the dull apathy of despair.
But he possessed too decided chal
acter to die of broken heart. Gradua
ly his grief gave place to burning d.
sire for revenge. and he rose up the en-
bodiment of resolution. Realizing th
futility of his design unless he could e1
cape from his prison. he set his wits
work to devise means Of accomplish
ing this end And naturally his though,
reverted to Polly Westbrook.
Accordingly the next time the d,
, voted girl paid him visit he broache
the subject in such tender. appealin
way that he completely won her over
} his plans.
Polly" he began. II know you {
} not wish to see me die in prison. br
r die will. unless speedily released frol
l confinement. am poor and friendles
, as you know, so can expect no assis
: ance from the law. If am to regal
3 my freedom at all it must be throue