The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-12-26
SUSPECT LOOKS THIN,
BUT FEELS BETTER

Peter Mortensen endured the expert
ence 10 which he was subjected Christ
mas eve with fOrutude that has con-
Vlnced all who know him that no hui
man influence viii induce him To nm
burden the dark secret the officers saw
is sealed in his breast. While he suf
tered from the awful suggestiveness of
the mad mans rawlings and from the
noisy clamOr itself. he pulled himself
together after the first demonstrations
Lying fat upon his stomach, as is his
habit. he remained motionless. What
thoughts cOursed through his brain as
an accompaniment to the words of hor-
ror that smOte his unwilling ears. none
save Peter Mortensen knows
Yesterday morning he arose with
wan smile. He looked haggard and
worn, but made no complaint. On the
contrary, he was inclined to make light
or the remarkable cOincident that
stirred the entire city.
Was Unable to Sleep.
sleep" he said. why, I don't be-
lieve that any one in this vicinity was
able 20 sleep a wink. OF course. it was
bothersome, but I guess every one else
shared in ii. A good deal of the time
L couldn't tell what the fellow was
bowling about-that is, couldn't make
out his words"
You are looking mighty bad. Pete"
spoke up a friend from Ogden. Nelson.
the liveryman. who was present TO ex-
tend the greetings Of the season to the
accused man. You honestly look as
though you were losing flesh
Il guess ] am. I think I've fallen
away good deal during the last week.
somehow or other / am feeling better
today. though I've been reading. I've
read good deal right along. but when
/ got through I didn't know what ]
had read--what the words were. This
is about as good as a jail can be, sup
pose, and I am treated as well as pos
sible, but there is nothing to do"
Would be a Relief.
Here the rattle Of dishes in the pan
try downstairs Interrupted the CONVEX
sauon and conveyed a suggestion to
the prisoner.
There might be such a thing as
dish washing being a relief" he said.
with another smile-a smile so van. so
desolate that it would soften the heart
OF his most bitter enemy. It was the
smile of enc from whom all hope had
fled. It was not the feeling in it. but
rather the lack of feeling that i'm
pressed those who stood about him. It
was the ghost of a smile, the mechan-
zeal action from which the life and
spirit Of smile mad departed
How Mortensen Looks.
1T is Christmas day continued
Mortensen, with q pathetic ring in his
voice. The hunted look that had char
acterized his eyes when his visitors en-
tered had disappeared. No one would
.,--4,,
ing able to execute a murder. He was
humility pers0nifed. His expression
cnoVeyed suggestion of thankfuIness
that was not feigned.
Peter MOrtensen was glad his visit.
Ors had come TO break the monotony of
gazing at walls Of steel plates and the
grated iron door. He was not anxious
20 be let alone as in the past, but with
out words pleaded for his visitors to
stay. His attitude was something new
for him.
81 am glad to see my friends-tbe
boys / knew. 7 see few here. At the
police station I had many visitors.
some few were those I was pleased to
see. The rest I had no interest in and
they had no interest in me beyond the
interest one has in a dime museum
Speaks OF His Babies.
1T is Christmas day" repeated More
Jensen, reverting to that subject.
Some one else played Santa Claus for
my babies. I had some of my Christ
mas arrangements made when-when
this happened. Friends have taken
care Of completing those arrangements.
but-bUt some one else delivered the
presents. At least, hope so. am all
right until ] think of my family Then.
well I'm not"
is the statement that your wife has
Quilted you for good because she cam
not make herself believe you innocent,
correct2'' was asked
NO. I have heard from her every
day-except today
This closed the interview. From the
sheriff it was learned that if Mrs. Nor
Jensen communicated with her hus-
band it was through her brothers. who
departed from Salt Lake City on the
preceding day No letters or written
messages Of any kind have reached
the accused since he has been closeted
i'm the jail.