Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-18

Murphy was laboriously acquiring the
knowledge that two and two make
four. He put the paper down on his
stool, sucked the stump of pencil and
applied himself to making an altera-
ton. "Please not to show her that lie
snid. handing the design to Parr,
though it amt not to say cussin' ex-
actly, put in that way"
For the word Heaven" the elemen-
tary Murphy had substituted one
broadly descriptive letter which he
pointed out with simple pride. 1t stood
thus: "L."
One day strange warder appeared.
out of the sequence of routine, in Muir
PHYS corridor Novelties here were al
most always painful. Murphy, being a
prisoner, was more or less nervous. and
terrors of the unknown seized him. The
world outside might be crumbling for
nught he knew. Aloud he said with
gruff humility:
"Where's Mr.. Parr. please?"
The warder viewed him suspiciously,
but condescended 10 laconic "Child
sick"
Then an earthquake indeed rocked
Murphy's universe. He turned quite
sick and made frantic and profane
appeal under his breath. The warder
struck In, imperyious, with singsong
formula:
Now. As. you'll get reported IL you
use foul language"
The rebuke fell senseless as song on
the wretched Murphy's ear.
ooh. offlcer!' he gasped, with pale
lips. "Is-ehe-yery bad?"
"S'pose so or they wouldn't have put
his work on me-"
He slammed the door Progressively on
futile, hoarse entreaty for details. The
four narrow walls seemed to close in
upon the prisoner and crush his heart.
He cursed the warder. the system. the
government; pulled himself up short in
supersdtious horror, rushed about his
strait limits madly. then stopped and
squeezed himself in corner, mutter-
ing:
"l'm-1'm nothin'! No right to feel.
They'd give me the lash for 1t, p'raps.
O-O-God" Struggling for expression
his dumb soul made all sorts Of I'M
couth noises, as dumb tongue does.
Then. in his desperation, he vaguely I'm
itated the attitude Of praying infant
Samuel In a much creased print Faysie
had sent him. With hands piously
clasped and appraised eyes, Murphy, the
hardened rascal, knelt, trembling. and
made his first essay at prayer, starting
from the church service which he had
sometimes mechanically mumbled.
Almighty and most merc'ful Father
-Parr-and especial me-is miserable
sinners, and you know the sort o.
bringin' up I've had. But Parr is de-
cent chap all round, which you'll p'raps
take into account, and near as fond o.
her as this old blackguard. But then
he's got wife as well, and I've got no
one! Can have me to burn up and well
come, only 1t don't seem somehow to
me as you're as fond o. burnin' us as
folks makes out, and, besides. I'm no
account to burn up or not. But Parr is
good officer, II a bit regimental. and
set on her. And was devil till-till
seen her little bit o. hand on mine
at shot drill. you 'member-and o God
% Colo God-don't you let little
Faysie der
This Mt intervals through the mad
deningly long day, With occasional
frantic efforts at sack making and un-
tasted meals pushed aside. The new
warder looked in to inquire what he
was "up to-" he answered submissive
ly:
"Nothin'. Frettin' a bit; that's all.
Pris'ners will"
The officer retired obviously, and
with the shutting of the cell door at
night blank desperation closed on Muir
ply. In the morning. however. as he
mechanically cleaned his cell. Parr
himself appeared at the door.
Murphy uttered sort of voiceless
shout. and hope and fear contorted the
dull wanness Of his grotesque features.
Parr was pale, red eyed, disorganized.
He had not come on duty, only appar-
emily to choke wordlessly for Murphy's
benefit, who questioned, fearing the
question,
"All right" He read Murphy like n
book for once. "out o danger, brother.
The doctor says So"
On this Murphy dew at him. and the
two big hands met for second AID
two speechless locks. Then Parr re-
tired with sort Of husky giggle, and
Murphy numbered irresishbly, but in
n suitable undertone. When the two
met again, both were gruff and shame
faced exceedingly. No word OF that
brief and fevered interview. when both
hearts were stripped bare by that blast
Of anguish, was ever said, yet 1t re-