The Cairo bulletin., 1907-10-30
The CONVICT

the rays OF the burning sun, whic
fell like searchlights through the Iii
tie windows into the narrow cell
within.
The inside walls, like the outsid,
ones. were cherries and gray, will
nothing to relieve the monotony o
their blinds but printed copies of thu
prison regulations. which consisted
only OF the things prisoners were no.
allowed to do.
/ The work went slowly and the long
ing 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 wardens and his fellow prison.
ers because of HIS enormous strength
! and violent temper. Just now he was
trying to make basket, but time and
| again his hands dropped down into
| his lap and he listened to the regular
knockings on the water pipes, which,
like the wireless telegraphy carried
messages from cell to cell.
A smile spread over the face of the
giant when he succeeded in putting
the letters together TO words and the
words to sentences. Suddenly the
smile disappeared and in its place
came hard almost ferocious express
sion.
Steps were heard outside In the
hall. 1t was the turnkey. The con-
Wet saw him, so to speak. with his
ears, coming down the long hall, broad
shouldered, well nourished and self
satisfied, carrying his bunch OF keys
in his hand
What could he want here at this
time Of the day, when 1t was the
rule never TO disturb the convicts?
The giant was literally foaming with
fury. Was he to be punished once
more for some petty violation OF the
rules? The keepers always knew how
10 find fault in those they did not
like. Nearer and nearer came the
steps, and now they stopped outside
the door, A thought shot like light
ming through the convict's brain The
was not even a guard In the hall dur
ing the quiet noon hour. Behind the
loose brick In the wall was 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 were singing and the woods |
were green. A key turned in the door |
The turnkey came in, but in the same |
he fell to the ground as Ii |
struck down by lightning. With ter
rible force the giant had buried the |
sharp instrument in his temple.
The convict did not even look at |
yictim. With staring eyes he sneaked
Town the hall. Every moment he stop
led, listened and looked around.
He felt nothing but great Joy at
he success of his deed. Now the
Dad to freedom was open, the prison
loor was open, there was no guard
outside.
HC giant udu uOW ItdGHcu Inc
ard II was as II heaven itself had
ecided that he should be free man.
Year the wall stood chopping block
nd ladder. He placed the ladder
n top of the block, yaulted over the
iall and let himself fall down ON the
utside.
For a moment he laid there abso-
ltely quiet, without moving hand or
Dot. Had he broken limb in the
all?
No; he felt plainly that he was I'M
urt, and he had only one thought /
} get away.
He jumped to his feet and ran as
lst as his trembling legs would carry
i'm across fields. over hedges and
noes, until he reached the woods,
lnting and exhausted.
Completely tired out; he threw him. q
If down In the grass under a shady
sech tree, and. half asleep, looked
rough the green foliage at the blue
~ and the white clC r. beyond.
A sinner to whom Inc gates of
,ayea had cpcned could feel no hap
er than he did.
But only a short hour was given
m to enjoy his liberty.
Suddenly he heard a noise of many
ices. footsteps and excited signals.
2 jumped to his feet, picked up a =
ANY branch lying close to him in
e grass, and. brandishing it around
5 head, he disappeared as a deer
the woods. 4
Too many men were following him,
wever. Five minutes later the
ant lay bound and gagged on the
ound, with a rife bullet in one leg. U
He was carried back to the peni- -,
ltiary in triumph. IL
The inspector stood In his Office be- q, q,
I'd the rail and looked at hiU al
,rnly. u
The convict, who, was now chained m
nd and foot. cast down his eyes and ~
smed absolutely broken. He num- as
d something to himself, which ey
inded like an excuse. why did he IN
ne?" ri
shadow OF sincere sorrow came ia
o the inspectors face as he an to
cred In an almost inaudible voice: ~
h9rr. 80 Ae4a. So. hoo shat 4 ! -