Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-08-19

pied u short cOrrluOr, one emu OIL WHICH
was inclosed, while at the other end an
iron wicker led into little circular
yard, with very high walls, where pris-
oners in close confinement were exer-
cised separately during one hour Of the
twenty-four. This yard communicated
by means of stone passage and two
other wickets with d hall Of the prison,
and the night warder in D patrolled the
far corridor every fifteen minutes.
That night warder had just discov-
cred that the dark cell into which Old
Remnant had been locked in the morn
ing was empty. He had seen him a
quarter of an hour earlier apparently
asleep on his plank. II this were
strange, stranger hundred times was
the sight which the cell presented. 1t
was fawless in every part. Not q
brick had been displaced; the floor and
the ceiling were whole, the fastenings
of the door intact.
1t is little to say that the warder
was dumfounded. His feeling of the
matter went deeper. for he saw how
desperately black 1t looked against
himself. Miracles suspended, n prison
er does not pass unaided out Of a dou-
Bile proof cell and leave not u trace be.
hind him. He floats magically through
four feet Of granite wall. or-somebody
lets him out.
During twenty beats Of bis watch the
night warder passed in review his sew
en- years untarnished service and reck-
oned up his very certain chances Of
punishment. Then he did his duty and
pressed his finger on the electric button
at the wicket.
On the heels Of the chief warder
came the governor, and they both look
ed askance at that clean cell out Of
which Old Remnant had whisked him
self in fifteen minutes, with neither
chip nor filing to betray his flight.
1t was then that the big bell in the
tower laid its tongue to that rousing
message of prisoner escapedp
The night warder, an old salt with n
faultless record in the navy and n
faultess one in Longstaff. stood q little
on bis dignity. The governor and the
CHIEF warder knew him Tor very safe
hand, but he1e was n strong cell, with
not stone displaced In 1t, from which
prisoner had vanished in fifteen min
utes. Is prison broken and not brick
loosened, not bar severed? 1t Is Inn
possible to credit miracles in the sery-
ice. The night warder disappeared un-
der arrest.
When prisoner has escaped, the
governor and his staff expect to be
busy. The small percentage Of dam
gerous convicts found in every prison
grows very warm. 1t is angry and en-
vious, ripe for mutiny and sore inclined
to follow In the footsteps of the fugi-
& tive. And every class in the prison,
except perhaps that of the blue dress
men,. whose release is near, feels the
disturbing influence Of bold escape.
Great that day among all the broth
erhood Of the broad arrow was the
fame Of Old Remnant.
Fairfax was a prisoner Of approved
behavior. He kept himself a man, SC
far as one may do under that Bgyp.
tan sway, and, having sense enough
to ignore the waspish incivilities of the
type of warder who likes to put the
gentleman lag in his place." 1t was
rare for him to be in trouble. In two
years he had not once tried to find out
the weak places In the rules, favorite
sport in that unsportive arena.
But Fairfax had livelier and more
personal relish Of Old Remnants flight
than any other man In Longstaff since
be alone had been priyy to the design
and Fairfax. the self contained. had
the fidgets as badly as any one that
81 morning. He hoped be was not going
q to lose his head.
A man In one of the quarry parties
struck work and said they might as
well let him out as Old Remnant. No
one except Fairfax believed that he had
broken unassisted out Of Longstaff.
Wen run you In instead said the
warder Of the mutineey, and OF they
marched him.
Fairfax himself was twice hidden tc
be brisker with his work-Fairfax, ths
dihgent. It annoyed him. for he was
working below his form.
! AL the warders were inclined t.
J show their teeth, and when mucl
I fretted warier does this 1t may b,
= nasty for the lag within his reach
Fairfax had NO mind to take fire II h.
could help 1t, but all tempers wer
touchwood that morning, and the prick
9 Ing heat did not soothe them.
u Keep step there, won't your What
come to you this morningY
b This was addressed to Fairfax on tn,
d march Off from the quarries. Fairfa,
J, was aware that his step was perfect
e BE hanged to you'll"
The imprudent answer bud left hi
2 tongue almost before his mind ha,
' framed 1t.
J. Every we'll my boyp' came the ON
J. nous retort.
"a Early as 1t was, the chief warde
"a had dealt with number of petty case
!. (the governor holds his court later
p and his temper, too, was on the dow
q grade. abusive language" to an Off
g. Ger, as striking too deeply at discipline
n Is never condoned in prison. But Fair
fax had very clean bill OF conduct
q and the gray bearded chief warder, dc
!. spite his unwonted irritation, was no
disposed to make this case for th.
q governor.
!. IA prisoner Of your station and edu
'. cation" he said. "is expected to keep
a civil tongue In his head, even when hi
temper is a little tried. Perhaps TWEEN
~ ty-four hours solitary confinement
" with plain fare, will be long enough 70
you to get this lesson by heart"
AS penalties are melted out, this wa
mild one. Many u man has been tiet
: to the triangles for hot retort upon
= warder.
Il Fairfax, then, instead of returning t,
= his own cell, was hailed away to cho
- key. Chokey, the punishment cell. is NJ
% longer the black hole of the old days
but 1t is very still and dismal, and twi
: light reigns there through all the gaud,
moons Of summer. A deal plank i
= the only furniture, there is nothing t,
" 1nt, =