Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-10-25

hole ne was to share with a comrade
in like calamity. And in a dribble or
summer twilight, as the massive door
changed behind him, he found himself
shut up with a young rufian. con-
demned for murder, with whom he had
had an alteration over a trifing mat
ter In chapel yard.
The recognition was mutual, and
Tom held out his hand.
His hand was taken with an evil
grace. In q little. however. the other
loosened not unfriendly tongue, but
one so blasphemous and so foul that
Tom half regretted his advance. He
could not regret it altogether. The
yilest conversation was better just
then than none at all. That of Toms
whilom enemy was vile enough. with
Its horrid levity, its coarse swagger
and a forced but bloodcurdling con-
tempt Of death. Still, it was some
thing to listen to, something new to
think about and shudder over, and the
creature, having been alone at night
since his conviction on the opening
day of the sessions, hardly paused till
the small hours Of the morning.
His name was Creasey. He had
been convicted of stabbing his wife (he
was twenty years of age), but had new
err done it; twas a pack Of lies. But
he boosted to Tom of many thing he
had done in his short life, and they
were such things as Tom never forgot
in his He lay listening and shudder-
ing upon his bed. Yet when the other
seemed to have talked himself out his
own torments only began, and he was
grateful when the brute broke out
afresh. So the night wore on until 1
Oh 2 in the morning. Then there was a
long. unbroken silence, then a sObbing
and a shaking and burst OF frantic
PRAYER from Creasey's bed; then quiet,
then snoring, and the bell Of ST. Sepul-
chers marking the weary milestones
Of the night.
Tom never slept wink.
Next morning in the bottom DAY
room, which the condemned prisoners
had the use of during the day, he rub
bed shoulders with third convict I'M
der recent sentence of death, but this
was a heavy, sullen, middle aged man
of the name of Carter, who sat all day
with his huge head between his cruel
hands and spoke to nobody, nor did
either youth venture to speak to him.
Overhead there was another day
room and eleven more prisoners under
sentence nominally capital. but these
were morally certain Of reprieve and
could be heard playing leap frog and
larking and singing from morning till
night.
81 wish we were up there" said
Creasey mournfully. "But wait bit;
the yards for us the same as for
them when it's exercise time, and then
there'll be bit O. fun for us all!'
The bit of fun essayed by Creasey
was openly to incite the eleven jovial
spirits from upstairs to badger Tom
and put him In rage. But by this
time Erichsen's reputation in Newgate
was such that the plot fell through for
want of supporters. Tom shrugged
his shoulders at the petty treachery
and was treated by Creasey with sly
servility when they were locked up to-
gether once more Meanwhile the bur-
den of the day had been lightened by
several visitors and as many private
interviews.
Mr. Macmurdo, the surgeon, and Mr..
Cotton, the ordinary Of Newgate, had
both shown Tom the kindest atten-
tons. He could see, however, that
each regarded him as man only too
Justly sentenced to death. The sur
yeon offered to use his influence In the
matter of separate cell at nights
Tom would not hear Of 1t.
.'No no." said he; ut would be a
Door kindness, though I thank you
with all my heart for the thought. The
greatest ruffian in the jail would be
better friend to me than my own re-
Elections All, 1 see what you Think
cried Tom as a queer light glimmered
in the surgeons eyes. "Well. l have
done protesting my innocence, but
don't let them leave me by myself
that's all ask"
Mr.. Cotton entered into spiritual
matters, to which Tom listened cour'
teously, though chiefly out of loving
respect for his dear fathers memory,
for where was the God who would per-
NIT an innocent man to suffer death
for another's crime? When, however
the good chaplain closed his books he
referred discreetly as. he rose to Ger,
tain efforts already being made to OBJ.
tain q reprieve, adding that he would
himself do what he could to further
them. as matter Of course.
"Why should you, sir" asked Tom
deferentially, "when you are quite
convinced Of my guiltY'
The chaplain colored.
"I never said was convinced" ne
cried. "It Is no part Of my duty TO De
convinced In such matters either way
No. my poor fellow, your guilt or your
innocence Is a matter between your
own heart and God Almighty. l, bis
servant, am only concerned with your
immortal soul, and the longer you live
the more time will be yours for re-
pentance - of all your sins - and the
greater your chances Of immortal LIE.
But build upon nothing of the kind"
And with parting exhortation the
ordinary went his way.
Bassett was the last visitor. He was
in tremendous hurry The petition
was already receiving support and
signatures on every hand. The news
napers were full of it. And he who