The daily Alaskan., 1907-05-08
Out of DartnOOr

James ShelDuFGh, was WuEkll& on lAe moor farm with others when the tog came up. It cane rolling across the wide moor like a pillow of smoke from a canuon's mouth. One minute there was sunshine over all, with the horizon five miles away; in another the guarls were calling out to each other and hustllug the convlcts Into line, and no mans eyes could penetrate that fog a distance of ten feet. Shelburne drop ped hls spade and ran. He was grab bed ut by other convlcts, fired at by guards, and he ran against and knock ed over two or three men, but he es- caped-thut Is, he got away from the bunch Of prisoners herded together Ike 80 many cattle while the guards sent to the prison for re-eufOrCemeuts to march them in.
 There have been few escapes from partmoOr. No man ever got away from there unless aided by the fOg. A fog was what James Shelburue had waited and hoped and prayed for for five years. For fO8T years be had been immured behind the stone walls. He had done hls best to gain the Conf- denCe of the prison officials, and be had accomplished it. If he softly raved and cursed at night tempted to suicide a hundred times over, none of the warders suspected It. By day he was patient, respectful and uucomplainlng. And so lt came to pass that when the spring muster roll was made up Of the men who were to work ou the farms outside the gates the warden said:
 Put down GSOO. He Is one of the most trusty of the lot. He wouldn't leave us If he could"
 The convict ran blindly. He fell at every few yards, but he arose to speed on again. Presently he came to a high way. A wagon was passing and It's driver shouting warnings tQ. those who might be coming from the opposite di- rectlOD.
 ShelbUyne slipped behind and climb ed In. There were a lot of empty bags from th3 morning marketing, and be cOvered himself up as well as he could. The prison bell sounded, and The driv- CT uttered a shout. but the fog held. 4 DaruuoOr fog may last ter minutes or two hours. After an hour Of steady logging the team turned off the main road. Then Shclburne softly slipped to the ground. broke his way through the hedge and was running across a meadow vixen be came upon a cot tage. A childish voice called Ous:
 You are one of the bad men from the prison, but you needn't be afraid Of me. I won't hurt you"
 A girl of seven or eight years was seated on ihe doorstep not ten feet away. He had overlooked her. She sat bumped up like an old woman, and there was an old look to her face. She had her hands cIasped around her knees and was weaving to and fro, and as he continued to look at her she asked:
 "Do you know how folks look when they are dead:'
 Yes, little girl" he replied as be advanced and sat dowr- beside her. What Is your name? .B there folks ln the houso:'
 'I am Nancy" she said Father went way, way of a year ago, and mother Is IQ there on the bed.'
 "And is your mother nlf"
 Does that mean sick? No, she Isn't but she's bran awful quiet this morn ing. I cant wake her up, and that's the reason [ haven't had any break fast. She amt dead, is she?"
 "God forbid. Let us go inside and see ber."
 what is 1t when folks dle?" she asked as sBe led the way into bed room.
 "Thev ue-er speak again" he an swered as he looked into the face Of a woman lying dead.
 Poor Iltte girN' he said us be Deut down and kissed her
 "yyon't mother speak no mOre:'
 "Never."
 "And I'll have to go and live wi6 Aunt Sarah at the Beeches|
 "YeS."
 "yyeu. then. I'll go, but don't want to. for Aunt Sarah don't like me very well. You come from where they shut up the bad men, but you don't seem to be bad"
 Not so very bad, hope. Listen Go me. I have a wife and little girl way, way of. have not seen them for years. ! want to get to them. VIII you help mel"
 "Why. of course I will" she replied. .aThey mast be longing to see you. 1T you are hungry you nay eat all you want to. Do you want to go home In those ugly clothes?"
 God forbid, My 6tt!e girl would run away from me la fear"
 YThen you can take solrs clothes that father left Have y0u got any money"
 "Not a farthIug."
 Aunt Sarah sent Us &t3 the other day. You shall have Aai' Of it."
 The convict picsed Ter Vp and kissed | her. and when sha Jaw tears in hls ] r L-..-a-.a sE.-r, a vr-4rr r-ifh hnp