The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-03-14


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 feyerish nervousness, he
would spring up and pace forth and
back across the cell. As Jack finished
the recital of his sweetheart's fidelity
Joe suddenly stopped, and laying his
hand on the others shoulder, said i'm
pulsively:
Jack. did not dream-that Is. L
of course you are innocent! ! have
known that all the time: but l did not
Imagine that 1t was who could clear
you"
"You clear me?" exclaimed Jack, in
credulously. What do you mean?"
But Joe had turned away and
thrown himself upon his cot; then he
said, hesitatingly:
II 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 n 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 fitful slumbers from which he
awoke with start, sometimes half ris-
ing with the evident intention of
arousing 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.
If he could but persuade Jack to go
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 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 lngenui-
ty of his comrade.
1t took some time for the ring to be
fled into hook, which was made
very sharp. Then 1t was carefully
covered with pieces of leather wound
around in such 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, We're 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 1t firmly there. Hundreds
Of times the hook fell back, and but
FOR It's leather covering, would have
struck the bricks with a ringing sound.
Sometimes the hook caught and held
slightly, and the hear IS of both men
would beat fast with hope. ouly 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 time when
| the hook caught and held, the COM
| bined weight Of both men in the cell
| failing to dislodge Il. The two prison
ers stood for 4 moment gazing at each
other. spaechless 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 10 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
criminal, only unfortunate. But to
suddenly realize that even Joes moth
er was implicated. and had no doubt
encouraged her son was I. shock to the
honest but foolish and easy-going Jack
1t was only n second, however. that
he hesitated, then he pledged his
word.
Joe insisted upon trying the hook
first, and ms he pushed himself through
the window and swung slowly out in
TO that terrible space. Jack held firm
ly to his clothing. He felt sick when
he thought of the consequence If the
hook should slip or the improvised
rope break. He breathed more free
ly when he saw Joe, after only a slight
hesitation, start carefully to ascend
the rope. He soon reached the corn
Ice. and in another moment was on the
roof. Adjusting the hook somewhat,
he leaned over the edge OF ii and sig
nailed to Jack, and, he, TOO, made the
ascent In safety.
Crouchlng low for n few seconds
they waited breathlcssly, but heard no
sound. Thus far they had been unob-
served. Taking the hook and rope,
they crept cautiously along in the