Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-04-11
GOETHE DROP ON HIM
A CONVICT WHO COULDN'T RESIST
THE FORCE OF HABIT.

to Spend n Decidedly Uncomforta-
blc Ten Minutes.
"In reading a few days ago Of the es-
cape of four long time prisoners from Al
catraz island, the military prison in the
harbor Of San Francisco" said an ex-sol-
der of the regular army who now lives in
Washington, II was pretty forcibly re-
minded Of an experience l once had on
Alcatraz with a prisoner-of the only
time in my life, in fact, when l ever
dropped under the gun, on which occasion
l found out that being under the gun Is
neither celebrating nor entertaining.
II was soldering as buck private
with one of the two artillery batteries
stationed on Alcatraz island, which Is a
seven acre rock right in the middle of
Frisco harbor, and of a most forbidding
aspect. Some Of the guard posts were
comparative snaps, and the soldier who
appeared on guard in the best shape rs to
his equipments and general appearance
was given the privilege of picking out
these snaps instead of being compelled to
walk post two hours OH and four off dur
ing his "a hour period of guard duty.
One Of the best Of these snap tricks was
at the Alcatraz dock, with pistol strap
ped around his waist, when the govern
ment tug stopped at the island, rs it did
several times day. The only other bit
of work that the man on this duty had to
do was to get up at o'clock In the
morning, awaken the convict cook who
prepared the prisoners meals, accompany
him to the prison kitchen, gloomy room
below the prison, against which the wa
tiers of the Pacific storm the year round,
and stay with him until the prisoners
breakfast was prepared. This wasn't
such q bad job for the convict cook al
ways prepared the guard an unusually
good breakfast, II he liked him. used to
capture that guard trick every time l
mounted guard, and after few months
got to know the convict cook pretty well.
"This fellow was IN Arizona despera-
do with a record named Caldwell. lie
had enlisted in cavalry outfit in Arlzo-
ma, stabbed trooper against whom no
formed a grudge, jumped the layout
been captured and given a II year bit
on Alcatraz to do. He had done four
years Of the stretch when | first woke
him up and conducted him to the kitchen.
Caldwell was genuinely bad lot and no
mistake. But he was crackerjack COOK,
having done that work for innumerable
camping outfits before cnlisting, and they
permitted him to do that work with the
ball and chain to hamper him. When l
first took the snap trick that required me
to accompany Caldwell to the prison
kitchen, the sergeant Of the guard warn
ed me that I'd better keep weather eye
on the man, that he was real hard one
and that it would be the part Of wisdom
to keep the flap Of my pistol holster un-
buttoned all the time ! was with him and
also to keep out of the range of the iron
ball attached to the cooks leg.
"One clammy, foggy morning l reused
Caldwell out of his cell with unusual
anticipation, for had lost my supper at
the battery mess the evening before by
being late for it, SO that | was hungry
and in great shape for some Of Caldwclls
fried steak and potatoes and coffee. Cald-
well set to work getting the meal for
me before he started to prepare the con-
victs' break fast, and when he set 1t be-
fore me | sat down at the wooden table
ravenously, hunger making me forget all
about my job of keeping an eye on
prisoner known to be desperate. was
eating away, while Caldwell clomped
around the kitchen, dragging the heavy
ball after him, when suddenly | felt
sharp tug at the holster strapped on my
right side. When ! hoped up in alarm,
/ was too late. Caldwell, with a queer
expression in his eyes, had my gun on a
dead line with the middle Of my fore
head.
me? Oh, sat right down again and
looked at Caldwell. What else was
there 20 do?
"'WeIl, son. said he to me, never TAX
ing that gun off my head for an instant,
how do you feel|
"Like one who formerly was said l,
gulping. What's the gag, CALDWELL
"I'm going to do you, said Caldwell,
with an evil look, and his eyes were the
merest Sits.
"'That SO? said l.. What have l been
doing nowT
"'Well, you're one of 'em, that's ALL
said Caldwell, doggedly, 'and you're all
alike to me-
"Now, ! didn't feel bit gay, as you
may imagine, but ! laughed a whole lot.
nervously, right then.
"'Say, if you put my light out ! said
to him, 'and the officer OF the day finds
out that you've done it with my own gun
III be court martialed and probably bob
tailed
"The idea of a dead man being court
martialed seemed to tickle Caldwell, for
he grinned sardonically.
"'Don't you get gay or clipper with
me, Ombrey,' he said, however, in tone
that wasn't a laughing matter at all.
THE point with me is that don't intend
81 Gp;c tbis ppoly md
here's my chance to pass the whole thing
up, but before | go | might just as well
take one Of you jumpers along with me.
I'll give you ten minutes to square your
self with what's on the other side of the
big divide replied Caldwell, 'and then
we're going to pass over that way to-
gether.'
"Oh, we'll, those weren't happy ten
minutes. could feel my hair creeping
beneath my forage cap, but from the
looks of Caldwell l didn't reckon there
was much use asking him to give me a
show for my white alley, and SO spent
the ten minutes in thinking 1t over and
wondering why | hadn't been real good
when had the chance, SO that I'd never
have found myself in bucks uniform In
the American army. when suddenly Cald-
well, after the long pause, dropped the
gun with grin and handed 1t back to
me, handle foremost.
"1t's been so long since ! had the drop
on man. he said to me, In cheerful
tone, that / couldn't resist the tempta-
ton to stampede you up some
'"Then he went on about his work just
as II he hadn't had me attuning my ears
to the anticipated sound of celestial mu-
sic for the worst ten minutes l had ever
passed In my life.
~ never let Caldwell get nearer than
10 feet from me after Washing
ton Star.
The sting of a WASH Ia only one-thirty-