Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-08-03
nHAPrrR XXI

90 on lne cndln gang. InlS was II young |
man Of about twenty years Of age. thin,
fair and delicate. His name was Kirk |
land, and he belonged to what were |
known as the educated" prisoners. He |
had been a clerk in a banking house, and |
was transported for embezzlement,
though, by some, grave doubts as to his
guilt were entertained. The command
ant, Captain Burgess, had employed him
as butler in his own house, and his fate
was considered a 'lucly" one. So
doubtless, it was, and might have been,
had not an untoward accident occurred
Captain Burgess, who was a bachelor of
the "old school," confessed an amiable
weakness for swearing. kirkland be-
ionged to Methodist family, and owned
piety utterly out of place in that re-
gion. The language of Burgess made
him shudder, and one day he so far for
got himself and his place as to raise his
nands to his ears. "I'll soon cure you
OF thatF' cried Burgess, and forthwith
ordered him to the chain gang for Gin
subordination.'
he was received with suspicion by the
gang, who did not like white-handed
prisoners. Troke. by way Of expert
ment In human nature, perhaps, placed
him next to Gabbett. When the muster
bell rang, and the gang broke up, Rufus
Dawes, on his silent way TO his separate
cell, observed notable change of Gus
tom In the disposition Of the new con-
Wet. Instead of placing him in a cell by
nimselr, Iroke was turning him into the
yard with the others.
I'm not to go In there?" says the ex-
bank clerk. drawing back in dismay from
the cloud of foul faces which lowered
upon him.
But you are, thenw says Troke "The
governor says a night in there'll take the
starch out Of yer. Come, In yer CO."
Let him out. watchmanr' said North,
who happened by.
Cant, sir. without an order from the
commandant"
Il order you, sirr' North cried, indig-
nant.
VERY sorry, your reverenve; but your
reverence knows that 1 daren't do such
thing"
North rushed away to the command
ant, and the instant his back was turned,
Hailes, the Waterman, flung open the
door and darted into the dormitory.
Take thatl" he cried, dealing Kirk
land blow on the head with his keys,
that stretched him seRseless. There's
moro trouble with you aristocrats than
enough. Lie quietr'
The commandant, reused from his
slumber, told Mr.. North that Kirkland
might stop where he was, and that he'd
thank the chaplain not to wake him up
because prisoner set up bowling.
North returned to the prison dscon-
solately, found the dutiful Hailes at his
post, and all quiet. whats become of
Kirkland?" he asked.
ERECTED hisself to sleep, yer rever-
ence," said Haies, In accents of par
entail concern. Poor chapl It's hard
for such young 'uns as he, SIR"
In the morning Rufus Dawes, coming
to his place on the chain gang, was
struck by the altered appearance of
kirkland. His face was of greenish
tint, and wore an expression of bewil-
dered horror.
"Cheer up, manr' said Dawes, touch
ed with momentary pity. TITS no good
being In the mopes, you know"
What do they do If you try to boltY'
whispered kirkland.
"Khl you" returned Dawes, In a tone
OF surprise at so preposterous a qses-
tion.
THANK Godv said Kirkland
The work of the gang that afternoon
was the carrying of some heavy logs to
the water-side, and Rufus Dawes OBJ
served that kirkland was exhausted
long before the task was accomplished.
They'll kill you, you little beggar"
said he, not unkindly.
He had hardly uttered the words
when the boy flung himself beneath the
log. In another instant the train would
have been scrambling over his crushed
body, had not Gabbett stretched out an
iron hand and plucked the would-be sui
eide from death.
Hold on to me-" said the giant. SIN
big enough TO carry double"
Kirkland uttered a cry, and then,
holding up his irons with his hands,
he started to run for the water.
Hiatt, you young fool" rosred Troke,
raising his carblne. But Kirkland kept
steadily on for the river. Just a. he
reached Il, however, the figure Of Mr..
North rose from behind a pile of stones.
Kirkland jumped for the jstty, missed
his footing and fell into the arms Of the
chaplain.
"You young vermin-you shah pay
for thisl' cries Troke You'll see II
you won't remember this day"
"Oh, Mr.. North" says Kirkland,
swhy did you stop mel I'd rather be
dead than stay another night In that
place"
You'll get 1t, my lsdr' said Cab
bett when the runaway was brought
back. "Your blessed hide'll feel for this,
see II 1t don'tr'
Kirkland only brsathed harder, and
looked round for Mr.. North; but Mr..
North had gone. The new chaplain was
to arrive that afternoon. and 1t was In