The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-01-23
Out of DartnoOr

moor farm with others when the fog
came up. 1t came rolling across the
wide moor like a blllow Of smoke
from a lannon's mouth. One minute
there was sunshine over all, with the
horizon five miles away; In smother the
guards were calling out to each other
and hustlIng the copvIcts into line, and
no mans eyes could penetrate that fog
9 distance of ten feet SheIburne drop
ped his spade and ran. He was grab
bed at by other convicts, fred ut by
guards. and he ran against and knock
ed over two or three men. but he e.
caped--that IL, he got away from the
bunch Of prisoners herded together like
20 many cattle while the guards sent to
the prison for re-enforcements 10 march
them In.
There have been few escapes from
DartmoOr No man ever got away
from there unless aided by the fog. A
fog was what James Shelburne had
waited and hoped and prayed for for
ave years. For four years he had been
immured behind the stone walls. He
had done his best to gain the conf
dencs Of the prison officials, and he
had accomplished 1t. IL he softly raved
and cursed at night. tempted to suicide
hundred times over, none OF the
warders suspected 1t. BY day he was
patient, respectful and accomplishing.
And 10 1t came to pass that when the
spring muster roll was made up OF the
men who were to work on the farms
outside the gates the warden said:
"Put down $500. He In one OF the
most trusty Of the lot. He wouldn't
leave Us II he could"
The convict ran bllndly. 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 tn
driver shouting warnings to those who
might be coming from the opposite d.
Eection.
ShelbuFne slipped behind and climb
"a In. There were lot of empty bags
from the morning marketing, and he
covered himself up az well as he could.
The prison bell sounded, and the driv-
or uttered shout, but the fog held.
a Dartmoor fog may last ten minutes
OF two hours. After an hour Of steady
jogging the team turned or the main
road. Then shelburne softly slipped
to the ground, broke his way through
the hedge and was running across q
meadow when he came upon a cot.
tage. A childish voice called out:
'You are one OF the bad men from
the prison, but you needn't be afraid
OF me. won't hurt you"
A girl Of seven or eight years was
seated on the 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 clasped 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 deadT"
Eyes. little girl" he replied as he
advanced and sat down beside her
what Is your namef Are there folks
IN the hOuss3''
Il am Nancy" she said. "Father
went way, way OF year ago, and
mother Is IN there on the bed"
"And IL your mother III"
Docs that mean aick7 No, she isn't
but she's been awful quiet this morn.
ing. can't wake her up. and that's
the reason haven't had any break.
fast. She amt dead. IL she2''
"GOd Forbid Let us go inside and
zee her"
"WhAt II Il when folks dep shs |
asked as she led the way into a bed. |
room.
''They never speak again." he an
swered as he looked into the face Of
. woman lying dead.
Poor little Rlrlr' he said as he bent
down and kissed her.
won't mother speak no mOreF'
sNsVer."
"And TIL have to 80 and live with
Aunt Sarah at the Beeches1''
''Xes."
swell. then, I'll 80. but don't want
to. for Aunt Sarah don't like me very
well. You come from where they shut
mp the bad men. but you don't seem to
be bad"
"NOt 30 very bad, hope. Listen to
me. have a wife and little girl. way.
way on. have not seen them for
years. ] want to get to them. win
yOa help me3''
why. Of course will" abe replied.
They must be longing to see you. II
you are hungry you may eat all you
want to. no you want to so home IN
those ugly clothesr'
God forbldl My little girl would
run away from me In fear"
Then you can take some clothes
that father left. Have you got any
money!
'Not q farthlng."
@Annt Sarah sent rs 40 the other
day. You shall have half Of It."
The convict picked her up and kissed
her, and when she saw tears In his
eyes she brushed them away with her
hand ana said;
ssIf won xvaa n had man wa. y.rn,,tavAA