Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-07-13
THE CONVICT.


It was noon. The dark, gray walls OF
the old penitcntiary were baking in the
rays of the burning sun. which fell like
searchlights through the little windows
into the narrow cells within
The inside walls. like the outside ones,
were cherries gnl gray, with nothing
TO relieve the m,i'otony of their blinds
but printed couos of the prison regula
tious, which consisted only of the things
prisoners were not allowed to do.
The work went slowly, and the longing
for the outside world the blue sky and
the green fields grew in the hearts of
many of the hapless beings behind lock
and bars Nobody felt less like working
than the giant prisoner in the second
tier of cells. who was feared of the war
deus and his fellow prisoners because of
his enormous strength and violent tenn
per, Just now he was trying to make a
basket but time and again his hands
dropped down into his lap and he lis
tened to the regular knoekings on the
water pipes, which, like the wireless
telcgraphy. carried messages from cell
to cell.
\ smile spread over the face of the
giant when he succeeded in putting the
letters together 90 words and the words
to sentences. Suddenly the smile disap-
pcared and in its place came hard,
a lJl8ssst -ferocious expression.
Steps were heard outside in the hall
II was the turnkey, The convict saw
him, SO to speak, with his ears, coming
down the long hall broad shouldered.
wen nourishcd and self satisfied, carrying
his bunch OF keys III his hand.
What could he want here this time of
the day, when il was the rule never to
disturb the convictsg The giant was lit
orally foamng with fury. Was he To
be punished once more for some petty
violation of the rules? The keepers al
ways knew how TO find fault in those
they did not like. Nearer and nearer
came the steps, aud now they stopped
outside the door, \ thought shot ike
! lightning through the convict's brain.
| The turnkey was alone. Undoubtedly
| there was not even a guard in the hall
during the quiet noon hour. Behind the
loose brick in the wall was a sharp
| piece Of iron, which he had sharpened
during the long months he had been
confined TO the cell
Outside the sun was shining the birds
we're singing and the woods were green.
/ ~ NY hhitifN ~ tIH Nhlls lt AblHNtA
| came ill., but in the same moment lac fell
To the ground as ii struck down by light
ming. with terrible force the giant had
buried the sharp instrument in his tenn
| Pile
| The convict did not even look at his
| victim, With staring eyes he sneakcd
! down the hall. Every moment he stopped
| listened and looked around.
lie felt nothing but great Joy at the
success of his deed, Now the road to
| freedom was open, the prison door was
open, there was no guard ont side.
The giant had now reached the yard.
1t was as if heaven itself had decided
that he should be a free man, Near the
wall stood a ch0pping block and ladder.
He placed the ladder on top of the block,
vaulted over the wall aud let himself
fall down ON the outside
For moment he laid there absolutely
! quiet, without moving hand o. foot Had
he broken limb in the fair
No, he felt plainly that he was unhurt.
and he had only one thought-to get
away.
lie jumped to his feet and ram as fast
as his trembling legs would carry him
across fields. over hedges and fences. I'M
til be reached the woods, painting and
Completely tired out. he threw himself
down in the grass under a shady beech
tree. and half asleep looked through
the green foliage at the blue sky and
the white clouds beyond.
A sinner to whom the gates Of heaven
had opened could feel no happier than
he did.
But only short hour was given him
to enjoy hi. liberty,
Suddenly he heard . noise OF many
voices, footsteps and excited signals. lie
jumped 10 hi. feet, picked up a heavy
branch lying close 10 him in the grass.
| and, brandishing it around his head he
disappeared a4 a deer in the woods
Too many men were following him.
| however. Five minutes later the giant
lay bound and gagged on the ground,
with rifle bullet in ono leg.
He was carried back to the peniten-
tiary in triumph
The inspector stood in bis office behind
the rail and looked at I'm sternly
The convict, who was now chained
| hand and foot. cast down his eyes and
seemed absolutely broken lie mumbled
| +oucthine to himself. which souaded like
an excuse why did he conner"
! \ shadow Of sincere sorrow came into
/ the inspectors face as he answered in
am almost iuaudiblc voice: Il sent him
/ To bring you here that might inform
! yon that You bad been pardoned"
! Then the murderer vas led back to his
| cell Philadelphia Bulletin.