Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-10-06


plain. You have broken tAe law. and
you must suffer Civilized society saws
you sha'n't do certain things. and II
you do them you must suffsr the penalty
civilized society imposes. You are not
wanting In intelligence, Dawes. more's
the pity-and you can't deny the Justice
Of that"
Rufus Dawes. as II dissiaining to an
swer In words, cast bis eyes round the
yard with glance that seemed 10 ask.
grimly, II civilized society was progress
Ing quite In accordance with Justice.
when It's civilization created such places
as that stons-walied, carbins-guards
prison shed, ard filed II with such crea-
lures as those forty human beasts. eooru-
ed TO spend the best years Of their mar
hood cracking pebbles In H.
Meditating that night In the solitude
OF bis cell. he almost wept TO think Of
the cruel deception that had doubtless
been practiced on her "They have told
her that ! was dead. In order that she
might learn to forget me; but she could
no. do that l have thought Of her no
often during these weary years that she
must sometimes have thought Of me-
rive years She must be a woman now.
My little child a womanl Yet she IL
sure to be chlld-like. sweet and gentle.
How she will grieve when she hears Of
my suferingsl Oh my darling my darl-
Ing, you are not deadw And then, look
ing hastily about him In the darkness,
as though fearful even there Of being
seen, he pulled from out his breast lit
tie packet, and felt 1t lovingly with his
coarse, toll-worn fingers. reverently rails
Ing II to his lips. and dreaming over It.
with smile on his face, as th5rsh it
were sacred talisman that should open
to him the doors Of freedom.
The usual clankng and hamnering
were prevalent upon the stone jetty at
Port Arthur when the schooner bearing
the returned convict. Rufus Dawes, rem
alongside. He sat with his head bowed
down and his hands clasped about his
knees. disdaining to look until they
reused him.
Halo, DawesF' says Warder Troke,
hating his train Of lroned yellow jackets.
80 you've come back againl Glad to
see yer, Dawesi II seems an age since
we had the pleasure Of your company.
Dawes" At this pleasantly the train
laughed, so that their irons clanked more
than ever. They found II often incon-
venient not TO laugh at Mr.. Troke's hui
NOR. Step down here, Dawes. and let
me introduce yer to your hold friends.
They'll he glad to see yer, won't yer.
boys7 Why. bless me, Dawes. we thort
we'd lost yer! We thort yer'd given us
the slip altogether. Dawes They didn't
take care Of yer in Hobart Town, ex-
pect. Ell, boys7 Wen look after yer
here. Dawes, though. You won't bolt
any more"
Take care. Mr. Troke," said warn
Ing voice, you're at Il agalnl Let the
man alone"
BY virtue Of an order transmitted
from Hobart Town, they had begun TO
attach the dangerous prisoner to the
last man of the gang, riveting the leg
irons Of the pair by means OF an extra
link. which could be removed when nee
essary; but Dawes had given no sign Of
consciousness. At the sound OF the
friendly tones. however, he looked up.
and saw a tall. gaunt man, dressed in
shabby pepper and salt raiment. and
wearing a black handkerchief knotted
round his throat. He was stranger TO
him.
81 beg your pardon. Mr. North" said
Troke, sinking at once the bully in the
sneak. 81 didn't see yer reverence"
"A parsonv thought Dawes, with dis
appointment. and dropped his eyes.
II know that" returned Mr.. North.
coolly. III you had, you would have
been all butter and honey. Don't YOU
trouble youself to tell a lie; it's quite
unnecessary. What's your name, my
MANI"
Rufus Dawes had intended to scowl
but the tone, sharply authoritative, rous-
ed his automatic convict second nature;
and he answered. almost despite himself.
Rufus Dawes"
"Oh." said Mr.. North, eying him with
curious air Of expectation that had
something plying In It. This Is the
man. is til l thought he was to go to
the coal mines"
80 he is" said Troke, "but we hain't
a-golng to send there for a fortnit. and
in the meantime I'm to work him on the
chain"
oh" said Mr. North again. LEND
me your knife. Troke"
And then. before them all, this curious
parson took a piece of tobacco out of
his ragged pocket, and cut OF "chaw"
with Mr.. Troke's knife. Rufus Dawes
felt what he had not felt for three days
an interest In something He stared
at the parson IN unaffected astonish-
ment. Ma North perhaps mlstook the
meaning OF his fixed stare, for he held
out the remnant If tobacco to him.
The chain-lirc vlbrated at this, and
bent forward I, enjoy the vicarious de-
light Of seeing mother man chew to-
bacco. Troke gr.iIed with silent mirth
that betokened f',ribution for the favor
ed convict Here" taid Mr.. North
holding out the &c 'nty morsel upon
which so many eyeg We're fixed. Rufus
Dawes took the 80 icco. looked at II
hungrily for an instant, and then-to the
astonishment Of verybody-hung It
away.
From convict mouths went out re-
spectful roar OF Amusement, and Mr.
Troke's eyes snapped with pride Of out
ragged janitorship. "You ungrateful
dog" he cried, raising his stick
Mr.. North put up a hand THAT will
do, Troke." he said; 4 know your re-
spect for the cloth. Move the men on
again"
Get onl" and Dawes felt his newly
riveted chain tug. IL was some time
since he had been In a chain gang. and
the sudden jerk nearly over balanced
him. He caught at his neighbor. and
looking up. met a pair Of black eyes
which cleaned recognition. His neigh
Dor was John Rex. Mr.. North. watch
ing them, vas struck by the resemblance