Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-06-28

fright, Miss Jane clung to the tree
trunk, and then n musical voice. though
pitched to a nervous key. broke the
woodland silence.
Don't be afraid, ma'am. don't
want to hurt you. But. oh, am so
hungry, and you looked kind. and
thought
"Gracious," exclaimed Miss Jane In
spite Of herself. you're nothing but
boy. What are you doing in jailT
I'm not in Jail now, but | will be
soon If you don't help me. Oh, It was
all a mistake He struck me first. I
had to do it to save my own life. but
they said it was my awful temper. You
will
"Do you mean to say you killed
man?" inquired Miss Jane, with
shudder.
81 didn't near to- he exclaimed
wildly. God knows, I've suffered for
the blow. His face follows me every
where. And now they're after me.
Won't you help me? They'll take mo
back there for life-think OF it'll l
die! And l am strong! l can't die
soon. Think Of it, to be shut up there
for years and years, day and night,
and never to see this sunlight. never
to feel free air, but always the air OF
the prison yard. And you. everybody
else, will be out here in the beautiful
world, free-frce.
Long fasting and the horror Of being
hunted like wild animal had made
him hySterical, and after all he was
not more than boy, Just turned twen-
ty-one. He clung to her skirts. his eyes
fixed implorinGly on her face. Nervous
ly she pulled her dress from his hands.
She remembered they were stained
with blood, but her lips were cchoing
involuntarily, "Ncvcr to feel free air,
but always the air of the prison yard"
Suddenly she rose. Something bright
glittcrcd in her eyes and rolled down
her cheeks.
IL know It's wrong. I'm breaking
the law, but I've been a prisoner. too.
all my life" The man sapcd at her.
but she did not heed him. You eat
this lunch. and I'll be back directly"
lie clutchcd at the food like wild
creature, but without looking at him
again she ordered him back into the
underground and hurried away.
That night fragile looking woman,
who walked with a slight Imp. board
cd the Philadelphia accommodation Mt
Dobbinsville Undcr II loose cape sh"
wore n black poplin waist trimmed
with beaded gimp that refused to meet.
A thick veil shroudcd bonnet tina
wabblcd trne uncertainty. and II
any one had examined the skirt care
fully he would have noticed II hastily
sewed tuck near the waist line. When
most of the passengers had fallen
asleep, the wOman's f-urc squared
itself around as IL to screen something
in her lap Two work worn hands
spread out Il roll Of Hills. Two CULVER
ing lips counted them. Then voice.
in which rang Il half sob. mlrmured:
"I'll send for her some day when it's
safe and show her | was worth saw
ing. SO helr me God. I'll do the right
thing down there in South America for
that old lady's sake. She's on the
square. Rut | wonder what she meant
when she said, I've been prisoner
all my life | bet she never saw the
inside of Il Jail. Perhaps they had her
in 'sylum. But I'm going to do
what's right, on the level. old lady,
for what you've done for me-"
And in Jane Prentico's kitchen at
that very moment there rose from the
stove an odor of burning wool and
leather that made her wonder If the
neighbOrs noticed 1t.