Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-07-06

tuted for that of imprisonment for life.
Thus the sovereign could display elem
ency and at the same time economiZc.
The princeling approved. But another
difficulty arose There was no prison
suitable for lifelong confinement. There
were police stations, but no real prison,
safe and sure However one was ar
ranged, iailer was appointed, and
finally the prisoner was shut up.
Capital! The iaicr guarded the Grim
final and every day from the palace
kitchen brought him his meals.
4 year passed. The princeling, max
ing up his accounts, found that the
prisoners support heavily weighted his
budget. "The fellow" thought he, "is
young and healthy. There is nothing
to prevent his living 80 years, and with
jailer, food, etc, to what sum will
his expenses amount? The thing can
not go on" The sovereign summoned
his ministers.
You must take measures" said he.
"to reduce the cost of keeping that
wretch. He is too expensive"
The ministers held a council and
delibcratcd.
Gentlemen" said one, 81 have
thought of a means. We must do away
with the jailer."
But observed another, "the prison
er will escape"
"Wcll, let him escape and go to the
devil. 1t will be good riddance."
The matter was referred to the
prince, who approved, and the jailer
was dismissed. Excellent 1t only re-
maincd to await developments.
Now at dinner time the prisoner
went out to look for the jailer, but not
finding him he repaired to the royal
kitchen. got his food, returned to priS-
on and carefully locked himself in.
The next day an identical programme
was carried out. He obtained his food
and TRANQUILITY dined. AS for escaping
he had no such idea.
What wa: to be done? Again the
ministers deliberatcd. LET us tell him
plainly" said one, "that we do not
want him. Tell him to march," Good!
The ministers of justice summoned the
criminal and said:
"Why do you not escape? You have
no jailer, no one prevents you, and the
prince will certainly not object to your
leaving his country"
"The prince would not object" re-
piled the prisoner, that | quite un-
derstand, but where can l go? What
would become of me? Your sentence
has forever dishonOred me. No one
wants me. have no way of support
ing myself. Why have you treated
me so badly? You condemned me to
death. Very well. You ought to have
executed me. and you did not do it.
! said nothing. Then you sentenced me
to lifelong imprisonment and appointed
a jailer to bring me my meals. Next
you took away my jailer. Still ! said
nothing. but went myself to get my
food. And now you tell me to go. All,
no. indeed! Do what you like, but as
for me shall stay"
What was to be done? Again the
council met and dellberated. At last ii
was decided to offer the criminal a
pension. Otherwise ii would be impoS-
sible to get rid of him. The matter was
referred to the princeling. There was
really no choice. and he approved. \
pension of 600 francs was decided up
on, and they Informed the prisoner
"All right" said he, II will so, but
you must pay regularly"
The new pensioner received on ac-
count 200 francs. bade goodby and left
the country. 70 do so he was obliged
to travel by rail only for quarter of
an hour. Having bought at n few min
uteS distance from the frontier a little
bit of ground, he raises vegetables and
on certain days goes to draw his pen
sion. The money pocketcd, he repairs
to the casino. risks or 3 francs on the
green cloth. loses or gains. then goes
quietly home. Thus he lives soberly
and well behaved.
He had the good luck to commit his
crime outside the countries which
grudge no expense for cutting off mems
heads or for shutting them up for life
in prison.-Translatcd For New York
Commercial Advertiser.