The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-06-14

governor, and 1 show them over the
place; but, as rule, we see no one
but ourselves"
81 asked" said Meekin. because
some friends of mine were thinking of
coming. Do you know Captain Frere?"
"Frere. 1 should say, sou returned
Burgess. 81 was quartered with him
at Sarah Island. SO he's friend of
yours, eh?'
Il had the pleasure of meeting him
in society. He is just married. you
know. To Miss vickers, a. charming
young person. They are going to Sgd
ney, where Captain Frere has some
interest, and Frere thinks of taking Port
Arthur on his way down."
"A strange fancy for a honeymoon
trip" said North.
Captain Frere takes a deep inter-
est in all relating to convict discipline
went on Meekin, "and is anxious that
Mrs. Frere should see this place. A
romantic story, Captain Burgess. He
saved her life. you know
All! that was a queer thing. that
mutiny," said Burgess. We've got the
fellows here, you know"
81 saw them tried at Hobart Town."
said Meekin. ''In fact, the ringleader.
John Rex, gave me his confession. and
l sent it to the bishop. Captain Frere
tried to make me think his letters con-
tanned a hidden meaning, but l don't
believe they did. He seems to me to
be truly penitent for his offenses-a
misguided but not a hypocritical man.
| If my knowledge of human nature goes
for anything"
Il hope he is" said North. IL
wouldn't trust him."
"Oh, there's no fear of him." said
| Burgess, cheerily: ''if he grows uproari-
Gus, We'll soon give him a touch of the
| cat
Here attention was called by the
J strange behavior of Mr.. North. He had
risen and, without apology. flung wide
| the window, though he gasped for
air. "Hallo, North! What's the mat
| ter"
Nothing" said North, recovering
himself with an effort. "A spasm.
have these attacks at tines
Have some brandy?' said Burgess
"No. no. it will pass. No, l say.
| Well, If you insist And seizing the
tumbler offered to him. he half filed it
with raw spirits and swallowed the fiery
draught at agulp. The Reverend Nee
kin eyed his clerical brother with hor-
| ror.
"Ha,y said North. looking wildly
round upon them. That's better"
SO they went on to the veranda, and
looked down upon the lights of the
prison, and listened to the sea tapping
the shore. The Rev. Mr.. North, in this
cool atmosphere, seemed to recover him
self. and conversation progressed with
some sprightliness.
b. and by short figure came up out
of the dark, and proved to be Doctor
| Macklewain. who had been prevented
from attending the dinner by reason of
an accident to a constable at Norfolk
| Bay, which had claimed his professional
| attention.
"Well, how's Forrest?v cried Bur
CESS. Mr.. Meekin-Dr. Macklewain."
Dead" said Macklewain. Delight
ed to see you, Mr.. Meekin."
| ''Confound it-another of my best
men," grumbled Burgess. MaekIewain
vas tired and wanted to get home.
81 must also be thinking of repose.'
enjoyable, has fatigued me-"
| "Come on. then" said North sour
| roads lie together, doctor"
Before the two clergymen had got
half way down the steep path that led
from the commandments house to the
fat on which the cottages of the doctor
and chaplain were built, Macklewain re-
joined them. Another hogging to-mor-
row." said he. grumblingly up at
daylight. | suppose, again"
Whom is he going to flag now?"
'sThat young butler-felfow of HIS
what, Kirkland? You don't mean
to say he's going to fog Kirkland? Oh,
this must be stoppedr' cries North. in
great alarm. HE can't stand it. |
tell you he'll die. Macklewain."
Captain Burgess was shutting his We
randa window when North hurried up
Captain Burgess. Macklewain tells me
you are going to fog young Kirkland
have come to beg you not to do so. SIP
The lad has been cruelty punished al
ready. He attempted suicide to-day
unhappy creature"
"Well, that's just what I'm fioggine
him for. III teach my prisoners to at
tempt suicide"
Captain Burgess" protested North
''I assure you that he does not deserve
punishment. l have seen him, and hi.
condition of mind is pitiable'
"Look here, Mr.. North. don't inter
fere with what you do to the prisoners
souls; don't you interfere with what
do to their bodies"
"Then, Captain Burgess" CRIED
North, his pale face flushing. II tell yol
the boys blood will be on your head.
am minister of God, sir. and forbid
you to commit this crime"
you're dismissed officer of the gov
eminent, sir You've no authority her,
in any way; and if you interfere Will
my discipline, sir, I'll have you put IL
irons until you're shipped out of the isl
andr'
This, of course, was mere bravado OF
the part of the commandment NORTH
knew well that he would never dare t
attempt any such violence, but the in
suit stung him like the cut of a whip
He made stride toward the command
ant, as though to seize him by tn.
throat, but checking himself in time
stood still, with clinched hands, flashing
eyes and beard that bristled.
North. returned home in great agita
ton. Twice he paused on his way Il
the sitting room, and twice was he driv
en- on by a power stronger than his will
He reached 1t at length, aud openin,
the cupboard, pulled out what he sough
Ia bottle of brandy
With this in his hand, all moderation
vanished He raised it to his lips ans
eagerly drank. Then, ashamed of wha
he had done. he thrust the bottle back
and made for his room He wept, h.
prayed, he fought with his desire a
with a madnes. He told himself tina
another's life depended on his exertions
that to give way to his. fatal passion
was unworthy of an educated man an,
a reasoning being In vain. In TIL
midst cf his arguments he found him
self at the cupboard. with the bottl
at his lips, in an attitude that was a
once ludicrous and horrible.
His disease was a terrible one. TIL
Rev. James North g.nflemaa, sc,fols
| and Christian Dries.--,yas what IN