The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21

into my corner. No beast or the VIII
dernass ever had such tcrrcr for me
as the unknown thing that had been
nv cell mate half night without my
j knowledge.
Was q vampire-a demon-a witch
a ghost locked in there with me?
It moaned again, so family that COM
passion instantly got the better Of
superstition.
s:Who is there?' l demanded, as if
the knowledge Of name WOULD cure
terror of the suffering thing naming
itself.
cot no answer and, taking my reso-
lution in hand, moved toward the bed,
determined to know what housed with
me. The jug Of water stood In the
way and I lifted it with instructive
answer to the groan.
The creature heard the splash and
knew by its mutter what it wanted. I
poured water on my handkerchief and
bathcd the face. That would have
been my first desire in extreme mo-
ments. The poor wretch gave q re-
yiving moan, so I felt emboldened to
steady the jug and let drop oy drop
gurgIe down its throat.
Forgetting the horror Of the bed, l
sat there, repeating at intervals this
poor ministration until the portfolio
again dawned and blackness became
the twilight Of day.
My cell mate could not see me.
doubt if he ever knew that hand
gave him water. His eyes were mean
ingless and he was so gaunt that his
body scarcely made a ridge on the
bed.
Some beans and mouldy bread were
put in for my rations. The turnkey
asked me how intended to wash my
self without basin or ever or towels,
and inquired further if he could be Of
service in disposing Of my shirt or
breeches.
What ails this man?'
He shrugged, and said the prisoner
had been wasting with fever.
''Who is hc:"
"a journalist, OF poet, or some mis-
erable canaille Of that sort. He will
soon be out Of your way" Our guard
craned over to look at him. "Oui-da!
He is a dying man! 4 priest must be
sent to him soon. I remember he de-
manded one several days ago"
But that day and another dragged
through before the priest appeared.
1t was night by the loophole when
our turnkey threw the door open. I
heard the priest and his sacristan
joking in the corridor before they
entered, carrying their sacred parcels.
The priest was doddering old fellow,
almost deaf, for the turnkey shouted
at his ear, and dim Of sight, for he
stopped close to look at the dying man,
who was beyond confession.
Bring US something for tempo
rary altar" he commanded the turn
key, who stood candle in hand.
The turnkey gave his light to the
sacristan,. and, taking care to lock US
in, hurried to obey.
measured the lank, i'll strung assist
ant, more an oyergrown boy than
man Of Drawn, but expanded around
his upper part by the fullness Of a
short white surplice. Ee had face
cheerful to Stiffness.
The turnkey brought board sup
ported by crosspieces, and withdrew,
taking his own candle, as soon as the
church's tapers were lighted.
The sacristan placed the tempo
rary altar beside the foot Of the bed,
arrayed it, and recited the Confteor.
Then the priest mumbled the Mi
sereatur and 1ndulgentiam. heard
and saw With exquisite keenDess, yet
was thinking, If l do not get out Of
here he Will have to say those words
over me-
I thought how easy it would be to
strip the loose surplicc over the sacris-
tan's head. There was swift clip Of
the arm around your opponents neck,
which I had learned in wrestling that
cut the breath of and dropped him as
limp as a cloth It was an Indian trick.
I said to myself it would be impossible
to use that trick on the sacristan if be
left the cell behind the deaf old priest.
I did not want to hurt him. Still he