The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-06-19


privatIon, a smaller band by many
than when we left Vo'ua. Death had
been mereiful 10 the weak, and left
only the strong TO suffer And terri
BILE. indeed, were our suherngs dur
ing the first years OF imprisonment.
for cruel man governed US, and
ruled us with a rod OF iron.
zone day, while we were at work.
a fellow prisoner told mo that a new
warden had arrived at the prison. and
would be on duty for the first time
that night. paid but little attention
to what he said, and when night fell
and was locked in my cell l had for
gotten all about It. II was the night
warder's duty to visit the cells every
hour, commencing at 10 O'Clock. on
that particular night was more than
usually restless. It was the anniyer-
sary Of that fatal day at Velna, and
paced my cell with ever quickening
steps as / recalled, one by. one, the
events Of that terrible time. The
prison clock struck 10, and / paused
a moment to listen for the familiar
grating Of the bolts at the end of the
corridor as the Warder entered to
make his usual round. But every
thing was silent. / waited few mo-
ments, and then resumed my walk.
The quarter struck, and still no war
der came Then / recalled what my
fellowprisoner had told me, and 1 saw
how 1t was The man was new to
his duties, and, like enough would
not come at all. But even as the
thought passed through my mind l
heard the bolts grating in their SOC
kets, and, few moments later, some
one stumbled up the steps that led
from the corridor to my cell and fell
heavily against the door. With an
oath he recovered himself, and, unlock
ing the door, flung it wide open.
THE dim light prevented me at first
from seeing his face, but l knew from
his heavy breathing and indistinct
speech that he had been drinking.
When, after a slight pause, he raised
the lantern and the light fell on his
soddened features, I started back with
a cry of surprise, for l recognized in
him the soldier who, with a compan-
ion, had visited me in Velna prison,
and had Knocked at me and insulted
the memory of my dear ones. Some
thing in my look alarmed him, and he
made as though he would draw his
sword, but I rushed upon him like a
wild beast Ioosed from its cage, and,
graphing with him, forced him back
wards down the steps. He ragged and
swore at me- and struck me with the
heavy keys which he held in his hand
until the blood streamed down my
face and nigh blinded me; but chung
the more tightly to MIN, and, putting
my foot behind him, tripped him and
threw him heavily to abe ground. His
head struck the stone floor with stun
ming force, and he resisted no longer.
With a glad cry l sprung to my feet,
and snatching the sword from his
side, fell back pace that l might
give greater force to my blow. Nerv-
ing myself with the thought of all
had suffered in the past, I was about
to strike when felt the light touch Of
a hand on my arm.
Great God! What did / see! Stand
ing beside me, in radiance of light
that seemed in a moment to melt the
black shadows enveloping my heart,
was my darling boy, with a look of
mingled reproach and compassion on
his pure young face that blotted
from my mind all further thought of
evil. With a cry Of shame l threw
the murderous weapon from my hand
and falling on my knees, wept bitter
tears Of sorrow, and thanked the good
God who had sent him to save me
e urn the commission of that hateful
annih0 Then blessed calm, such as
han 4ever known before, fell upon my
Even t, and l raised my eyes to the
nf;,Ight figure above me. A heavenly
I Smile lit up his angelic face, as if in
approval of the change his presence
had wrought in me-and he was gone
ILl0luS up q uCW man, 1 WGuI luIO my
cell, and bringing forth pitcher Of
water, bathed the temples of the
| PROSTATE guard and moistened his
lips. Gradually he returned to con-
seriousness, and when he was sufi-
GENTLY recovered, l handed him his
sword, and kneellng before him,
begged forgiveness for the injury l
had done him and the still greater
wrong I had meditated against him.
But with muttered threats and curses
no spurned me from him, and bidding
me enter my cell, locked the door on
me and left me.
"The next day I was taken before
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