Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-03-16
THE MURDERER.

est dungeon of a large penitentiary for
year and a day After the first two
attacks he had been so severely whipped
with a cato nine tails that blood flowed
down his back; after the last he was put
into irons.
From this day on lie and his guard, in
their daily meetings exchanged threaten
ing glances filled with hatred. 1t was
silent battle with mutual fear. but no
word not even an evil one, was ex
changed.
| Then the old warden died and new
one was appointed. Although not syl-
liable was uttered to that effect, the news,
nevertheless. spread silently among the
prisoners. and Hope and Fear in spirit.
mingled with that of the lonely, intimi-
dated convicts.
One day strange footsteps rang along
the passage leading to the cell of the
murderer. His door was opened and the
guard remained standing outside while
another man entered alone.
Stepping suddenly into the dark. he,
at first, could see nothing; but the pris-
oner, whose eyes had wholly forgotten
the light OF day, saw him as clearly as
revelation The convict arose quickly.
and, taking a military position, stared at
the intruder.
lie was a young rather pale fellow,
with delicate, almost transparent fea-
lures. His eyes were a deep blue and
dreamlike, his hair long and his blond
beard extended well over his chest.
The new warden" announced a hard
voice from without. The convict as
sumed a more intense attitude, and the
stranger stepped farther in. BY this
| time his eyes had become accustomed to
the darkness, and it seemed as if the UNI
canny surroundings affected and troubled
| him; however, his voice was soft and me-
! lodious.
is this prisoner No. ~"
Eyes"
You attacked your guard three
| tines"
Il did,
you have been punished twice with
the cato nine tails %
II have" said the convict, but this time
he spoke in knocking tones as if the ques-
ton amused him.
you are bound in irons?"
This time the prisoner did not answer,
but q slight rafting of chains and a
movement of impatience gave answer to
his question.
II am the new warden. You must not
look upon me as an enemy, but rather as
a teacher"
AS a teacher" repeated the prisoner
invountarily, and mechanically, but in
stantly a derisive smile played about his
! lips Suddenly he felt himself more
worldly wise than this man. although he
had spent almost half of his life behind
prison walls.
Yes. rs teacher" continued the war
den.
The same novement of impotence as
before was again heard out in the cor
ridor
In the future | shall treat you with
kindness. 1t is hoped that | shall ac-
complish more with that than with fog
gings."
Yes" said the convict mechanically,
without paying any attention to the
words
To-day is the first day of October.
shall come again Christmas eve If YOU
have conducted Yourself we'll during those
three months. shall give you something
something that no other prisoner has
ever received. Be careful what YOU do
and he laid his small, white hand on the
murderer's shoulder The prisoner had
not felt kind, humane touch like this
for years. and although he stood in the
tense position required. he felt his knees
tremble beneath him.
The warden left. the door was closed
and the sound of his footballs. accom-
Ipanied by those of the unwilling guard.
died away.
The convict at first was greatly agi-
tated, but this sensation soon changed to
hatred toward the new warden who pos.
sesscd the power to bestow a kindness
upon him; this. in turn. gave way to un-
interrupted meditation lasting for DAYS.
weeks. months. over these words:
Something that no other prisoner has
ever received"
He was almost in fever of cNpccta-
ton aud shuddered for fear that he was
being deceived.
What would the warden give him. A
mirror, Anyway he had not seen his re.
Election for many long year. and every
one has the natural desire to examine his
own features from time to time. even if
they are faded and distorted But for
No. :, during the long years of imprison.
meut. his very image had passed into for
getfulness.
\ flower! All! for many a long dav
it had been his one desire to possess a
potted plant that he might take care of
it. but now he thought nothing more of
: il. Furthermore. it was too dark in his
dungeon for any plant to thrive.
A beetSteak with onions and poached
eggs, No; such food prisoner dared
not lay claim to- 1t would only
strengthen his body to new resistance
and call to life renewed longings for free
dom,
\ wife, the mere thought unnamed
him,
The flight of his wishing was at an end
land he dared not set his heart upon any
one thing
The time passed heavily, YEARLY. slow