Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-28

terror Of the sufrering tning naming itself. got no answer and, taking my reso- lution in hand, moved toward tue bed, determined to know what housed with 1 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 it's mutter what it wanted. I poured water on my handkerchief and bathed the face. That would have been my first desire in extreme mo-
 ments. The poor wretch gave a re- viving moan, so I felt emboIdened to l steady the jug and let drop by drop gurgle down it's throat.
 Forgetting the horror of the bed, I sat there, repeating at intervals this poor ministration until the porthole
 again dawned and blackness became
 the twilight of day.
 My cell mate could not see me I doubt if he ever knew that hand l gave him water His eyes were mean ingiess 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 ations. The turnkey
 asked me how I 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 brooches. What ails this man?'' ' He shrugged, and said the prisoner
 had been wasting with fever.
 'Who is hep
 "A journalist, or 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-dai 1 He is dying man! A priest must be sent to him soon. remember he de- manded one several days ago" But that day and another dragged l through before the priest appeared. It was night by the loophoIe when our turnkey threw the door open.
 heard the priest and his sacristan 1 joking in the corridor before they
 entered, carrying their sacred parcels. l The priest was doddering old fellow,
 almost deaf, for the turnkey shouted at his ear, and dim of sight, for he l stopped close to look at the dying man, who was beyond confession. l Bring us something for a tempo l rary altar" he commanded the turn
 key, who stood candle in hand. 1 The turnkey gave his light to the ! sacristan. and. taking care to lock us l in, hurried to obey.
 II measured the lank, i'll strung assist ] ant more an overgrown boy than q man of brawn, but expanded around 1 his upper part by the fullness of q
 cheerful to stiffness.
 l The turnkey. brought board SUD- l ported by crosspfeces, and withdrew, l taking his own candle, as soon as the l church's tapers were lighted. fsa ssgs. ! saThs sacristan placed the tempo 1 rarv altar beside the foot of the. bed, arrayed 1t, and recited the Confteor. < l Then the priest mumbled the Nil 1 sereatur and Indulgentiam. I heard and saw with exquisite keenness, yet I
 was thinking, s'If do not get out of
 here he will have to say those words I over me-
 I thought how easy it would be to strip the loose surplice over the sacris-
 tan,s head. There was a swift clip of the arm around your opponents neck which had learned in wrestling that
 cut the breath off and dropped him as l limp as cloth. Itswas an Indian trick. l said to myself it would be impossible
 to use that trick on the sacristan If he left the cell behind the deaf old priest. I did not want to hurt him. Still he