The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-11-22

the sentence OF Imprisonment for life.
The hour is late. and he Is anxious to
lie at home. He has no compassion for
me- They lead me back to nay cell,
and, thanks to some unknown friend
who drops a potion In my coffee, 1
soon fall asleep. Exhausted nature can
stand the strain no longer
1 am aroused In the early morning.
and few friends come in to say fare
well. They realize the situation more
fully than I do. A short railway jour-
ney, ride in boxlike carriage, and
the prison is reached. ] answer few
questions mechanically and exchange
my clothing for the striped dress of a
convict. With an officer pass down a
fight Of steps and through long corri-
dor lighted by single fame. I am
pushed into a small, dark, i'll smelling
cell and for the FIRST time realize that
the judges last words TO me were,
"And the first day thereof shall be in
solitary confinement" "i.
Everything has been dream up to
this moment. but the awakening is ter
| rible. As hear the last echo of the re.
treating footsteps comprehend my
position-alone in prison. 1t seems as
| II ! shall go mad. A feeling of suffoca-
| tion oyercomes me as IN vain l attempt
to cry out and clutch at the bare stone
walls. My head throbs as II it shall
burst. The widest thoughts crowd to
| my brain In a confused mass. I do not
comprehend them. My blood courses
through my veins like rivulets of mol
ten fire, burning the flesh at each
pulsatiou. How long the paroXysm
| lasts 1 know not. as in the darkness
1 can take no note of time, but when
grow calm think out the course Of the
| trial f - ','F
The long hours pass away until il
seems as il the night has come. find
a can of water and gratefully cool my
parched throat. Then l seek to lie
down for the night, but the cell is toe
small. The light apparently grows
dim, and in a cramped position try to
| get little sleep. Again wild thoughts
surge through my brain, but at last
lose consciousness.
Again am wide awake How long ]
and doZe until II seems as il the night
will never end. ! never experienced
one so long before. The silence il op
pressive. Theresis a rush of cold air
and l feel that another day has dawn
ed. I remember that I have eaten moth
ing since entering the prison, and also
that loaf Of broad lies beside the car
Of water. | clutch 1t ravenously. buI
the mouthfuls choke me. Must I go on
day after day. in this prison? Is ther,
no help for me? How slow the hour,
pass! Have they forgotten me In my
solitary cell. and will ii become m,
grave? Oh. for the sight OF a livin.
face or the sound Of human voice
even If 1t is but to urge me on to- hardc
tasks. Willingly will work II cai
only be among other men.
After | have almost lost all. hone o
escape l hear footsteps approaching
At last the hour Of my deIiverance Il
at hand. How long 1t takes the jaile
to reach my celii He Is walking slowly
He halts before my door and deliber
ately inserts the key. The bolts NOV,
slowly. the door swings open. and
step forth. I devoutiy offer menta
prayer of thankfulness. 4 follow m,
conductor and soon stand in the pres
ence Of the warden. who grasps m.
hand, saying: II have good news 70
you. You are free"
tottered and would have fallen ha,
an officer not assisted me. cannot re
alize that my Imprisonment is at al
end.
My amazement is even greater whel
George Parsons comes forward, but Il
the hearty handshake that follows W
become friends. His story is soon told
He had received letter stating tha
his uncle was seriously III in neigh
boring state ard wished to see him. A
first he determined to start the follow
ing day. but found that by walking
across to junction he could take a
express train that night.
Il Hastily preparing for the journey, b
wrote letter Of explanation for hi
clerk. but it was laid in book and no
found until his return. He found hi
| uuCie yluSs DuI dTfIVeu III tiIHc 10 IT
ceive his blessing and q fortune. 1t no,
became necessary for him to make
journey west, and he left Immediately
Not until his return home did he lear
. Of the supposed tragedy and he lost n
time in coming to the prison to releas
me. .....-t..t
81 have telegraphed to the governor,
the warden said, land IL you gentleme
will step in and take dinner with IN
, you may take the afternoon train fo
home. 1t Will be an unusual sight" b
: added jocularly.
But" asked. "how can we reac
home tonight? There Is no train to ou
place ON Sunday"
He looked at me in establishment.
How long do you suppose you hav
, been In PRISON. asked the warden.
2 About twenty -four hours
= You were in the solitary forty-fiv
} minutes" was the reply.
But 1t was the longest day of my lf,
J They Were For Sale.
"Now," said the fussy old gentleman
: putting one OF the biggest berries in h
] mouth and picking up another. ''wh;