Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-06-01

desert of scrub, heath and swamp which
lay between their prison and the settled
districts, preferred death to recapture.
Successfully to transport the remnant of
this desperate band of doubly convicted
felons to Arthurs new prison was the
mission of Maurice Frere
''Well, Mrs. Vickers," he said, as he
took a cup of tea from the hands of that
lady, Il suppose you won't be sorry to
get away from this place, ehT'
mo, indeed" says poor Mrs. Wick
ers, with the old girlishness Swallowed
by six years; Il shall be only too glad
A dreadful placei Johns duties, how
ever, are imperative But the windl My
dear Mr.. Frere. you've no idea of it;
l wanted to send Sylvia to Hobart Town,
but John would not let her co.
by the way, how is Miss Sylvia ?"
asked Frere, with the patronizing air
which men of his stamp adopt when they
speak of children.
Not very well, I'm sorry to say" re-
turned Vickers. You see, it's lonely
for her here There are no children of
her own age, with the exception Of the
pilots little girl, and she cannot asso-
ciate with her. But | did not like to
leave her behind, and endeavored to
teach her myself"
Hunt There was a-ha-governess,
or something, was there notY said
Frere, staring into his teacup. "rhat
maid. you know-what was her name?
Miss Purfoy," said Mrs. Vickers, a
little gravely. Yes, poor thing; a sad
story. Mr. Frere."
Indeed. left, you know, shortly
-. nd
never heard the full particulars" He
spoke carelessly, but he awaited the re-
ply with keen curiosity.
"a sad story repeated Mrs. Wick
ers. ''She was the wife of that wretch
ed man, Rex, and came out as mr. maid
in order to be near him. She would
never tell me her history, poor thing,
though all through the dreadful accusa-
tons made by that horrid doctor, | beg
! ged her almost on my knees. You know
how she nursed Sylvia and poor John.
Really most superior creature. | think
she must have been governess. Her
conduct was most exemplary, ana dur
ing the six months we were in Hobart
Town she taught little Sylvia a great
deal OF course she could not help her
wretched husband, you know. Could
she?"
Certainly not" said Frere, heartily.
81 heard something about him, too. Got
into some scrape. did he not?
Miss Purfoy. or Mrs. Rex. as she
really was. though l don't suppose Rex
is her real name, either, came into a
little legacy from an old aunt in Eng
land and left my service. She took a
little cottage on the New Town road
and Rex was assigned to her as her
servant"
Il see. The old dodge" says Frere
flushing a little. ''Well?"s
We'll, the wretched man tried to- es
cape. and she helped him. He was tC
get to Launceston, and so on board 6
vessel to Sydney; but they took the
unhappy creature and he was sent down
here. She was only fined, but it ruined
her. You see. only a few people know
of her relationship to Rex, and she was
rather respected. OF course, when it be
came known. what with that dreadful
trial and the horrible assertions of DR.
Pine-you will not believe me. l know
there was something about that mar
l never liked-she was quite left alone
She wanted me to bring her down herr
to teach Sylvia. but John thought tina
it was only to be near her husband, anC
wouldn't allow it."
"Of course it was" said Vickers, is
ing. "Frere. Wen 20 on the veranda
She will never be satisfied until she get
that scoundrel free"
He's a bad lot, them says Frere
opening the glass window and leading
the way to the sandy garden.
"Oh, very bad lot returned Wick
ers; quiet and silent but ready for an.
villany. | count him one Of the wors
men we have. With the exception o
one or two more, | think he is tn
worst"
"Why don't you fog 'em?" says Frere
81 cut the hides off my fellows if the.
show any nonsense"
WELL" says Vickers, Il don't car
about too much cat myself. Barton, VOL
was here before me. iogged tremend
ously, but l don't thingk it did any good
They tried to kill him several times
You remember those twelve fellows VIII
were hanged? mol All, of course yo
were away"
"What do you do with emp
"Oh, fog the worst, you know; but
don't fog more than a man a week n
a rule, and never more than fifty lashe'
They're getting quieter now. Then W
iron, and dumb-ells, and maroon them.
"Do what?"
"Give them solitary confinement o
Grummet Island. When a man get
very bad, we clap him into a boat wit
a weeks provisions, and pull him owe
to Grummet. There are cells cut in tn
rock, you see, and the fellow pulls II
his commissariat after him, and live
there by himself for a month or so.
tames them wonderfully"
docs it?" said Frere. ITS a capita
notion / wish l had a place of tina