Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-06-22

always prepared the guard an I'M
usually good breakfast If he liked him.
used to capture that guard trick every
time mounted guard. ana after u few
months got to know the convict cook
pretty well.
This fellow was an Arizona dcsper.
ado with u record. named Caldwell.
lie had enlisted In n cavalry Quilt in
Arizona. stabbed II trooper against
whom he formed u grudgc. jumped that
layout. been captured and given II
years bit ON Alcatraz to do. lie had
done four years of the stretch when |
first woke him UP and conducted him
to the kitchen. Caldwell was Il genu.
incly bad lot. and no mistake. But he
was Il crackcrjack cook. having done
that work for innumcrnblc camping
outfits before enlisting. ana they per.
mittcd him to do that work with the
ball and chain to hamper him.
"Onc clammy. foggy morning l
reused Caldwell out of his cell with I'M
usual anticipation. for | had lost my
supper ut the battery mess the even
ing before by being late for Il. 30 that
was hungry and In great shape for
some of Caldwcll's fried steak ana pO-
tu;ocs and coffee. Caldwell set to work
getting the meal for me before lie start.
cd to prepare the cOnvlct's breakfast,
nnd when he set II before me I sat
down ut the wooden table ravenOusly,
hunger making me forget all about
tnh EnnntuU a M, IN N .n
known to DO desperate. was eating
away, while Caldwell clamped around
the kitchen. dragging the heavy ball
after him. when suddenly felt n sharp
tug ut the holster strapped on my right
side. When l hoped up In alarm l
was too late. Caldwell, with a queer
expression In his eyes. had my gun
on II dead line with the middle of my
forehead.
"Mc! Oh. I sat right down again
ana looked ut Caldwell. What else was
there to do!"
| "'Well, son. said he to me. never
taking that gun of my head for an
instant. how do you feel?
Like one who formerly was said
I. gulping. What's the gag. Cald
wellT
"'I'm going to do you.' said Caldwell
with an evil look, and his eyes were
the merest Sits.
""That so:' said I, What have been
doing now!'
| "'Well. you're one of 'em. that's all.
said Caldwell doggedly, and you're al
alike to me-
Now. l didn't feel bit gay. as YOU
may imagine, but l laughed whole
lot. nervously, rightly then.
"'Say. II you put my light out
said to him, and the officer of the day
finds out that you've done 1t with my
own gun I'll he cOurt.martIaled aud
| probably bobtailed.'
1.-The Idea of Il dead man being court
martlaled seemed TO tickle Caldwell
for he grinned sardonically.
"'Don't you get gay or clipper with
ne. Ombrcy,' he said. however. in a
tone that wasn't laughing matter ai
all. The point with me Is that don,
intend to finish this bit out on this rock
and here's my chance to pass the whole
thing up, but before | go | might jus,
as well take one q you jumpers along
with me. I'll give you III minutes to
square yourself with what's on the
other side of the big divide replied
Caldwell, and then we're going to pass
over that way together
"Oh, well, those weren't happy II
minutes. l could feel my hair creep
Ing beneath my forage cap, but from
the looks of Caldwell didn't reckon
there was much use asking him to Civ,
me a show for my white alley, and S,
| spent the 10 minutes In thinking |
over and wondering why hadn't beef
real good when | had the chance. S,
thar ia never have found myself il
bucks uniform In the American
army. when suddenly Caldwell, afte
the long pause, dropped the gun wit
a grin ana handed 1t back to IN
handle foremost.
"'lt's been SO long since ! had til
drop on n man. he said to me in
cheerful tone. that couldn't resist tn
temptation to stampede you up some
"Then he went on about his wOr
just as IL he hadn't had me attunin
my ears to the anticipated sound O
celestial music for the worst 10 min
! utes had ever passed In my life.
II never let Caldwell get nearer thai