The suburban citizen., 1901-03-16
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CONVICT NUMBER 1907,
BY Laura Ellen Bedle.

lahoma, he was finally forced to the
conclusion that his fancy of having
seen Joe before was but a trick of his
imagination
Occasionally, during the winter, Joe
talked of escape; but as Jack did not
enter into any Of the plans, the subject
would be dropped. The acquaintance
Of the cell mates deepened gradually
into strong friendship, and when, one
night in the early spring, the subject
uppermost in Joe's mind, escape, was
again mentioned, Jack told his friend
his reasons for not desiring % make
the attempt-told him something of
his life; his bright prospects, his fol-
ly, his ruin.
AS he related the story, not defend
ing himself in the least of his down
ward course, and finally of his arrest
and inability to prove his innocence,
Joe sat pale and uneasy. Several
times he opened his lips as If to speak,
then with feverish nervousness, he
would spring up and pace forth and
back across the cell. AS Jack finished
the recital Of his sweethearts fidelity
Joe suddenly stopped, and laying his
hand on the others shoulder, said i'm
pulsiyely:
Jack, l did not dream--that is. L
Of course you are innocent! l have
known that all the time but I did not
imagine that it was 1 who could clear
you"
You clear me?" exclaimed Jack, in
credulously. "What do you meanp
But Joe had turned away and
thrown himself upon his cot; then he
said. hesitatingly:
Il only meant that I could help you
to escape, Jack, that's ALL" and de-
spite his friends efforts to continue
their conversation, he would say no
more.
In short time Jack was fast asleep,
and dreaming Of the time when his re-
lease should come and his innocence
be proven
Joe Streeter, however spent the night
in ftful slumbers from which he
lawOke with a start, sometimes half rls-
ing with the evident intention of
'rOusing Jack; then his mood would
change, and after some moments of
indecision, he would again sink upon
his bed.
Hardened criminal that he was he
knew his duty, but he was selfish
enough to fight against and at last
overcome the promptings of his con-
science, as he well knew that his
chances for escape alone were small.
II he could but persuade Jack to 60
with him, why, he could then find
some means Of proving his innocence
In fact Joe fully made up his mind to
tell Jack all as soon as they were free,
so the still small voice within" was
silenced.
After that night Joe kept constantly
urging Jack to accompany him in his
attempt at escape and at last gained
his reluctant consent.
For some time Joe had been at work
in the harness shop Of the prison, and
upon every opportunity he possessed
himself Of thongs and bits of leather
A large steel ring and a small file were
also deftly concealed in his clothing
and conveyed to the cell. Then the full
details Of the plan were unfolded to
Jack, who was amazed at the ingenui-
ty of his comrade.
1t took some time for the ring to be
fled into a hook, which was made
very sharp Then it was carefully
covered with pieces Of leather wound
around in such a manner that only the
point was visible. After this was COM
pleted, many wearisome nights were
spent, one of the men standing upon
the shoulders Of the other, working
alternately to remove the bars from
the window.
At last this, too, was accomplished,
the narrow strips were cut from their
blankets which, strengthened by the
leather thongs, were braided into a
stout rope TO which the hook was Sc
curely fastened. Now came the most
tedious task Of all, and many nights
were spent in futile attempts to throw
the hook over the edge of the cornice
and catch it firmly there, Hundreds
Of times the hook fell back, and but
for its leather covering, would have
struck the bricks with a ringing sound.
Sometimes the hook caught and held
slightly, and the hearts Of both men
would beat fast with hope, only to
have their spirits drop to the depths
Of despair the next moment, when the
hook loosened and fell.
/ But even in this their work was re-
warded, and there came a time when
the hook caught and held, the com
blned weight Of both men in the cell
J failing to dislodge it. The two prison
ers stood for a moment gazing at each
t other, speeches. with emotion. The
next instant their hands clasped, and
each promised the other to notify his
! friends in case any accident befell him.
! Joe promised 70 find some way to tell
, Nellie Of Jacks fate, but when Jack
was asked to tell Joe's mother where
! she would find the last stolen valuables
. he drew back involuntarily, for in
the close friendship existing between
them he had not thought of Joe as a
criminal, only unfortunate But to