The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1906-08-03
CHAPTER xxi.


"a on the chain gang. This was young |
nan Of about twenty years Of age, thin.
air and delicate. His name was Kirk |
and, and he belonged to what were |
Known as the educated" prisoners. BE |
rad been q clerk In banking house, and
was transported for embezzlement, |
hcugh, by some, grave doubts as to his
EuiIt were entertained. The command
mt, Captain Burgess had employed him
y butler In his own house, and his fate
was considered q '1ucky" one. So,
doubtless, It was. and might have been,
lad not an untoward accident occurred.
Captain Burgess, who was a bachelor Of
he Aold school," confessed an aniiable
weakness for swearing. kirkland be-
onged to Methodist family, and owned
! piety utterly out Of place In that re-
yion. The language Of Burgess made
lin. shudder, and one day he SO far for
got himself and his place as to raise his
hands to his ears. "I'll soon cure you
q thatP cried Burgess, and forthwith
ordered him to the chain gang for sim
jubordination."
He was received with suspicion by the
rang. who did not like white-handed
prisoners. Troke, by way of expert
nent In human nature, perhaps, placed
I'm next to Gabbett. When the muster
oeil rang, and the gang broke up, Rufus
Oawes, on his silent way to his separate
ell, observed notable change Of GUS
ON In the disposition Of the new con-
hct. Instead Of placing him in cell by
himself, Troke was turning him into the
gard with the others.
I'm not to 20 In there?' says the ex-
,ank clerk, drawing back in dismay from
he cloud OF foul faces which lowered
upon him.
But you are, thenp, says Troke. 'sThe
governor says a night In there'll take the
narch out OF yer. Come, in yer co."
Let him out, watchmanr' said North,
Kho happened by.
Cant, sir, without an order from the
:ommandant."
4 order you. sirr' North cried. indig-
iant.
"Very sorry, your reverence; but your
'everence knows that daren't do such
hing"
North rushed away to the command
int, and the instant his back was turned,
dailes, the Waterman, flung open the
ioor and darted into the dormitory.
Take that" he cried, dealing Kirk
and q blow on the head with his keys,
hat stretched him senseless. 'sThere's
more trouble with you aristocrats than
,nough. Lie quietr'
The commandant, reused from his
dumber, told Mr.. North that Kirkland
night stop where he was, and that he'd
fnank the chaplain not to wake him up
because prisoner set up bowling.
North returned to the prison discon-
olateiy, found the dutiful HaiIes at his
post, and all quiet. "What's become Of
Airkland?" he asked.
"Fretted hisself to sleep, yer reyer-
mce," said Hailes, In accents Of par
'ntal concern. Poor chap! It's hard
or such young 'uns as he. sir"
In the morning Rufus Dawes. coming
n his place ON the chain gang. was
truck By the altered appearances of
Kirkland. His face was Of a greenisb
Int, and wore an expression Of bewl-
Tered horror.
"Chser up. MANI said Dawes, touch
q with momentary pity. "It's no good
icing In the mepes, you know"
'sWhat do they do II you try to boltT'
< whispered Kirkland.
"Kill you." returned Dawes, In q tone
surprise at 80 preposterous a Ques-
ion.
SHANK Godr' said Kirkland.
The work Of the gang that afternoon
vas the carrying Of some heavy logs to
he water-side. and Rufus Dawes OBJ
erved that kirkland was exhausted
ong before the task was accomplished.
They'll kill you, you little beggarg'
aid he. not unkindly.
He had hardly uttered the words
vhsn the boy flung himself beneath the
%. In another instant the train would
tavs been scrambling over his crushed
sody, had not Gabbett stretched out an
ron hand and plucked the would-be sui
ids from death.
Hold on to me-" said the giant. 'I'm
tig enough to carry double"
Kirkland uttered q cry, and then,
iolding up his irons with his hands,
IL started to run for the water.
"Halt, you young fool!'' roared Troke,
aising his carbine. But Kirkland kept
tsadily on for the river. Just as he
cached Il. however. the figure Of Mr..
North rose from behind pile Of stones.
Kirkland jumped for the jetty, missed
lis footing and fell into the arms Of the
haplain.
you young vermin-you shall pay
or this!' cries Troke. you'll see IL
sou won't remember this day"
"0h, Mr.. North" says Kirkland,
! why did you stop me! I'd rather be
cad than stay another night In that
4 lace"
.You'll get Il, my ladr' said Cab
I lett, when the runaway was brought
iack. "Your blessed hids'n feel for this.
1 % II It don'tr'
Kirkland only brcathed harder, and
boxed round for Mr.. North; but Mr..
sorth had gone. The new chaplain was
. arrive that afternoon, and It was In
umbent on the old one to be present at
he reception.
Troks reported the ex-bank clerk that
lght to Burgess, and Burgess, who was
ibeuf to 90 to dinner with the new chan
ain, disposed Of his case out of hand.
Tried to bolt, ehl Must stop that.
fifty lashes, Troke. Pick cut some
kelly man, will you. That last fellow
on had ought to have been tied up
~urself. His fogging wouldn't have