The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-02-08
? Our Daily Story.
To the Fraction of an ZACH.

sent to the hospital, he was ex-
cused from work in the shop and
permitted to remain in his cell. The
prison chaplain found him an eager
listener to his exhortations, and
matters were soon so shaped that
he was led to believe that Clark
had something on his mind. When
pressed to admit that such was the
case, the prisoner hesitated just
long enough OF put the chaplain
curiosity on edge. Yes, he had
something on his mind. 1t was
something the Rev. Tobias Green
ought to know. If he would call at
the prison some day he should hear
a confession which would clear up
a great mystery and set certain
things right.
For three or four days Clark
beat about the bush, playing the
chaplain for all he was worth, and
the result was that Rev. Tobias
! Green visited the prison, with his
mind made up to listen ito some
strange and wonderful stories. He
realized that Clark was a bad, bad
man, and was quite willing to talk
about his soul and his future, but
he would tell his story some other
day-the day after tomorrow. An
appointment was made for that day
with the Rev. Tobias, and he de-
parted feeling that he had greatly
softened the heart of a desperate
man.
At o'clock on the afternoon Of
the day designated the Rev. Tobias
Green put in an appearance. 1t was
midwinter, and the day was so cold
that the prea cher was well bundled
up. having on heavy overcoat and
fur cap and muffler. The day was
so dark that some of the halls were
|
lighted. One of the hall masters
conducted the prea cher to Clark's
cell and left him, and the good
man took the convict by the hand
and anxiously inquired after the
state of his health. Not more than
two minutes had elapsed before the
preacher was lying on the back Of
the bed with gag in his mouth
and his thoughts terribly mixed up
from a rap on the head. When he
had got matters Strengthened out
he was stripped from his shirt and
drawers, and his hands and feet
were securely tied. Clark had pre-
pared himself for the job, and 1t
was done in prompt and thorough
manner. Inside of 10 minutes he
was dressed in the preachers
clothing, while the latter was COW
cred up with blankets. Then the
convict sat with his back to the
door and kept up mumbling con-
versatlon for half an hour. During
this time, as he himself related, he
poured into the preachers ear all
the stories he had overheard to the
detriment of the cloth" He fin
ally ended by singing hymn, and
when he passed outside the door
OF the cell, he turned and said, In
a voice meant to be heard by the
hall Waterman:
Good night, my son. truly
hope that this visit has been the
means of doing good. | will come
, again tomorrow, if possible"
With that he started for the hall
and the Waterman passed him to
the wicket. This was unlocked
without question, as also were all
other Instructions to liberty, and
he reached the street without the
| HlIliCl dICt VI TIC
had relatives in the suburbs of the
city, although the fact was not
known to prison officials, and he
walked straight to the house AMI
was taken in. The Rev Tobias
Green remained passive until the
hour came for the men to be lock-
ed up, when he was discovered.
An alarm was at once sent out, but
Clark was safe. He remained Sc
creted in the house for about
month and was then shipped away,
and his recapture was never effect
ed. In relating his story he said
that the five or six minutes neces-
sary for him to pass out Of the
prison aged him more than any two
lyears Of his life.
MEN PAST 60 IN DANGER.
Moro than half mankind over 60