The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-06-14
For The Term of His Natural Life
CHAPTER MI.
BY MARCUS CLARKE


man OF about twenty years of age. thin.
fair and delicate. His name wis Kirk
iand. and he belonged to what were
known as the educated" prisoners. He
had been clerk in banking house. and
was transported for embezzlement.
though, by some, grave doubts as to his
guilt We're entertained. The command
ant. Captain Burgess, had employed him
as butler in his own house. and his fate
was considered lucky one So.
doubtless, it was. and might have been.
mad not an untoward accident occurred.
captain Burgess, who was bachelor of
the "old school," confessed an amiable
weakness for swearing Kirkland be-
ionged to Methodist family. and owned
plety utterly out of place in that re-
gion- The language of Burgess made
MN shudder, and one day he SO far for
got himself and his place as 70 raise his
hands to his ears. I'll 5000 cure you
or that" eried Burgess. and forthwith
ordered him to the chain gang for Sim
subordination."
He was received with suspicion by the
gang. who did not like white-haDded
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 $ lent way TO his separate
cell, observed a notable change of Gus
tom In the disposition of the new con-
Wet Instead of placing him in a cell by
himself, Troke was turning him into the
yard with TIE others.
I'm not to go in there?' says the ex-
bank clerk, drawing back in disrnay from
the cloud of foul faces which lowered
upon him
But you are, them says Troke. 'sThe
governor says a night in there'll take the
starch out of yer. Come, in yer go"
Let him out. watchmanr' said North.
who happened by.
Cant, sir, without an order from the
commandment"
Il order You. sir" North cried. indig-
nant.
Very sorry, your reverenve; but your
reverence knows that daren't do such a
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 thatr' he cried. dealing Kirk
land blow on the head with his keys.
that stretched him senseless. There
more trouble with you aristocrats than
enough. Lie uuietr'
The commandment. reused from his
siumbef, told Mr.. North that Kirkland
might stop where he was. and that he'd
thank the chaplain not TO wake him up
because a prisoner set up a bowling.
North returned to the prison discon-
solately, found the dutiful HaiIes at his
post, aud all quiet. Whats become of
Kirkland % he asked.
Fretted hisself to sleep, yer rever-
ence," said Hailes, in accents of par
entail concern. '.Poor chap, It's hard
for such young 'uns as he, sir"
In the morning Rufus Dawey. coming
TO his place on the chain gang. was
struck by the altered appearance of
Kirkland. Els face was Of greenish
tint. and wore an expression Of bewil-
dered horror.
Cheer up, man" said Dawes, touch
ed with momentary pity Its no good
being in the mopes, you know"
What do they do IL you try TO bolt p
whispered Kirkland.
Kill you," returned Dawes, in a tone
of surprise at so preposterous a ques-
ton.
Thank Godr' 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 beggarr'
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 ar
iron hand and pIucked the would-be sui
eide from death.
Hold on to me-" said the giant. I'm
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
Halt. you young foolr roared .Troke
raising his carbine. But Kirkland KEEP
steadily on for the river. Just as b,
reached it, however. the figure Of Mr.
North rose from behind pile of stones
Kirkland jumped for the jetty, missed
his footing and fell into the arms of tn,
chaplain
You young vermin-you shall pa,
for thisr' cries Troke you'll see /
you won't remember this day"
"Oh, Mr.. North" says kirkland
"why did you stop me, I'd rather b,
dead than stay another night in tina
place."
you'll get it, my ladv' said Cab
back. ''Your blessed hide'll feel for this
see if it don'tr'
Kirkland only breathed harder. an,
looked round for Mr. North: but Mr.
North had gone. The new chaplain wa
to arrive that afternoon, and it was in
eumbent on the old one to be present a
the reception.
Troke reported the ex-bank clerk tina
night to Burgess, and Burgess, who wa
about to go to dinner with the new chap
lain, disposed Of his case out of hand
Tried TO bolt. en-, Must stop that
Fifty lashes, Troke. Pick out som
likely man, will you. That last fellow
you had ought to have been tied NJ
yourself. His hogg;ng wouldn't hav
killed hea.r
You can't get 'em to warm one an
other, your honor" says Troke. The,
won't do It."
"Oh, yes, they win, though" say
Burgess, ''or I'll know the reason why
l won't have my men knocked up wit
logging these rascaIs- If the scourge
won't do his duty, tie him up and Civ
him 6ve-and-twenty for himself. I'll b
down ia the mornin2 myself, il / can.
VERY good, your honor" says Troke
Kirkland was put into separate eel
that night; and Troke, by way of as
suring him a good nights rest, told hin
that he was to have fifty" in tn
morning. "And Dawes'n lay it on" h
= added. Hes one of the smartest me-
I've got, and he won't spare YER
sYou will find this a terrible place
Mr.. Meekin." said North to his SUP
planter. as they walked across TO tn
commandments to dinner. 1T has mad
me heart sick"
Il thought it was little paradise,
l.