Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-22
A,ibt''tt'rh u
The Under Dog

oceH cd!ieu away Tor u couple of DAYS
by urgent business. A note to this ef-
feet was handed me, and I was told to
make myself very much at home. The
bedroom given me was a large room
with a bed against the west wall and
a reading table in the center.
When l went up to the room 1 sat
facing the bed. 1t was q heavy ma
hogany frame, with a valance hanging
down, and just peeping out from vi
der this curtain was the toe Of a coarse
shoe-a coarse and heavy shoe, with the
Ole nailed on. l recognized it in on
instant as a prison shoe. All convicts
wore that make Of shoe while serving
their time and left them behind when
set at liberty.
mat there was an escaped convict
under the bed I hadn't the slightest
doubt. AS l looked at that toe 1 remem.
bered that Colonel Hampton had been
governor ut Dartmoor for many years
though out of it for the last five, and
wondered what the connection could
be.
I knew little Of the hall and was il,
norant Of the servants quarters, while
1t was q full mile to the nearest house
and over three to the police station
However, l had no thought of running
away. l grew cooler as the minutes
passed, and presently I did the bes'
thing l could have done under the cir
cumstances. Doing my best to stead,
my voice and speaking as if to one be
side me, I said:
"You might as well come out from
under the bed, my man"
The mar rolled into view and sprane
to his feet with a muttered curse. He
was a convict in uniform. He was
short and thick set and a man of grea1
strength. AS for his face, every line
Of it was evil. In his hand he clutcheG
and fourished a naked knife nearly {
foot long. Given a choice, I would
rather have been in that room with
Bengal tiger just escaped from his cage
well, what do you want here?"
asked in a voice I tried to make care
less as I put away my book.
IL want your life, curse your he re
piled as he came a step nearer.
II am here. What is it? Have 70,
just walked out Of DartmoorY"
eyes, l escaped from prison-fron
hell-this morning. and no doubt they'll
have me back before noon tomorrow
but when they come for me they'll fn(
your dead body. That's why 1 wanted
to give 'em the slip for q few hours, t
kill you. AS for getting clear off with
out money or friends, I can't hope to d.
it. You remember me, governor. I an
Bill Watson, No. 1910, in for twent,
years."
you call me governor" 1 said in re
ply as he finished. "You are mistaken
in your man. Colonel Hampton used t
be governor, but you ought to remem
Der that he resigned five years ago. II
is away from home just now"
eyes, I know he resigned, but I swor
revenge on him long ago and am her
to get it. No, you are not the governor
curse you. I see the difference now
I've waited ten years for this, and nov
I'm told that he will escape me. Man
don't lie to me or I'll kill you like
dog! I came here to kill the devil VIII
ordered me to be dashed until I cringe'
and whined like a cur and no one sha]
balk me-"
I showed him the note that the colo
mel had left me and then asked him t
sit down. There was a bottle of win,
in the closet, and I brought it out t.
him. I offered to tiptoe down to tn
sideboard and bring up some biscui
for him. For five minutes he watched
me with tigerish glare, seeming to b
undecided what to do, but then he tool
a long drink from the bottle and said:
"I'd willingly hang after killing tina
man, but I can't hold you responsible
His wife and children are here, how
ever"
"You must have heard that the colo
mel is an old bachelor?"
Course me, but I remember now
Then I'm to get no revenge? I'm tt
be taken back to that hell on eartl
and dashed and locked up in darkness
and get nothing out Of it? Say, I'll d.
murder and hang for it! I'll-I'H'-
lets talk a moment" I broke in OF
him. "What was your crime?"
II had a fight with a man, and b,
died two weeks later"
"And how long have you served?"
sixteen years = sixteen years = 81
long that I can hardly look back to the
day 1 entered prison. If l had killed
three men the punishment is enough"
"And if you could escape-get clcal
OBJECT out Of the country"
ut couldn't be done. haven't
penny. I'd have to rob some n fol
even a change of shoes. No. I'll &C
| out and meet the police and"-
listen. I'm a bit sorry if they uset
you roughly in prison. Sixteen years
is a long, long time. 1 have Il hundred
pounds here. Half of it Is yours
There is clothing in that closet to a.
you. When you go out Of here you car
walk past the police without fear
Why not try America? Why not make
q new start in life?'
do you mean it? God. but do yor
mean itY' he hoarsely whispered.
Why did I help the man away? Well
hrst, on Colonel Hampton's account. II