The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-07

, belonged to a big, bearded mulatto and startled me unpleasantly. She spoke 70 the prisoners kindly, but with tonal hr- ality peculiar to hill folks.
 How do you manage them when they get unrulyT' I asked.
 T give them the water cure" she re- lpiied with a mysterious look toward my companion.
 'Oh, how horrible. I suppose you got your idea from the Filipinos?
 "well, I don't use exactly the same lmethod. just yank the sassy rascals out into the far end of the aisle and turn the hose pipe on them. It does him good, both soul and body" It is evil dent that she is just and humane with them, for all those who are liberated commend her kindness, especially to the sick and trailer ones for whom she buys little delicacies and medicines out of her own purse.
 .who cooks for the prisoners?" I asked.
 T do.'
 q suppose you can utilize some of the women see in prison when you need assistance?''
 "No, madam emphatically. T don't want any jail birds around my pantry"
 We had been ascending steep, short pair of steps, and as we landed she threw open door and ushered us into large empty room. Pointing to stout frame and beam. she triumphantly exclaimed: That Is the gailows."
 I was reminded of the impressive man. ner in which 'tis said the old stage driver in Italy would rise on his box as he ap- preached the Eternal City and dramatic ally exclaim: 'Ecce Roma!' Behold Rome!" This was the final triumph, the crisis, the piece de resistance.
 She stepped on the trap and ran her fingers over a rope which was suspended from the beam above her. shuddered. She smiled. I have seen women toy with a watch guard as gently. as coquettishiy.
 Has that rope been used?" I asked with q dry throat.
 "Oh, yes! This piece was used last, and this" touching shorter one knotted stoutly on the beam, was used a year or so ago."
 How many executions have you wit nessed?'
 ''one of my official, duties as Jailer is to assist the sheriff at executions. I have aided in four.
 'T have had as many as seven mur- derers in here at one time. have been here six years and have never had an escape"
 When we left the jail did not carry away a disagreeable impression. She invited me to come again when I was not en route to an outgoing train and make her @ real social visit. felt hattered She is not a pretty womaB because she has mouth that droops St the corners, and a square face; but She Is cordial frank and kindly. Her fagle eyes fol- lowed me in memory for hays.
 Molly Grady is not all business. She has had a real romance In her life, but this also gleaned elfwhere. Some years ago she married ia man named Estes. For him she entetained the deep est affection. He wasIa sandy-halred hill billy. but she belived in him and loved him. He felt th& the great West held opportunities for a penniless man. and went hither with He promise to send for her as soon as ! established him. self on a little farm Months and years have gone by, and Estes has neither come nor sent for ASily He is not dead, however, for he yoke his mysterious silence when she pstituted divorce pro- ceedings upon the grounds of abandon ment after he hA been gone over two years. He wroteher that he still loved her. and not to get a divorce from him. This letter shs added to his first love letter. and thI collection formed her treasure trovs for some more months of incertitude. yinally. no further message coming, her pride won over her love, and she sued for divorce, which was grant, ed her.
 But low did she come to be jailer2" naturally inquired of one who knew her life story. then heard the most inter esting chapter.
 "In the early ninehes her brother, John Grady was indicted for murder. She loved him devotedly, and came often to I Al A-lI |. nz IL. I-- there. weather bound. She agreed to keep guard while the Jaler went to town on an imperative errand. She was on the alert and presently heard a grating sound, then a crash as of breaking irons. She stole swiftly to the rear of the prison yard. A flash of lightning revealed the form of a man about to descend from the window to the ground.
 Halt! or I'll shoot!1 she cried. The would-be fugitive sprang back into the jail. She was totally urarmed, and had only bluffed him. She ran to the absent jailer'S room, secured the keys, unlocked her brothers cell and put him on guard while she went for help But for her courage. quick wit and prompt execution, there would have been a general exodus Of prisoners. Later, after four very re- markable ''mistrials,' her brother was acquitted of the crime with which he was charged. She had never ceased her eff forts In his behalf. His attorney was Judge Wellington Vandiver, the platform numorist, lawyer, author and chancellor 1 Talladega County. famous for It's High land City, its Indian battle, its marbla quarries. its gold mines, It's coal mines its cotton factories, its great Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum. has again come beforA the public as the only county in these ] United States possessing a woman taller