The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-23
INTO THE WORLD AGAIN,


 Two little old men, tlmidly elinging to each others arms and blinking in the unaccustomed glare of the sun. emerged from the gray walls of Sing Sing prison early yesterday morning.
 "We're free, Frank; do you know what that means?' spoke the younger of the two as he gripped the hand of his companion.
 Yes. Tom" replied the other, @but I'm afraid. The World will all be new to me and I am an old man now
 "cheer up. boys. This is no time for that kind of talk. I'm going to take you both to New York, where you will be among friends"
 The last speaker was Warden Jesse Frost. He helped the aged men into a waiting sleigh, and as they dashed off knot of prison officials and others who had gathered at the door which had just opened to free1m for the two swung their hats and shouted words of encouragement to them.
 One of the men was Franz Hofmann, who, as told in The World, had just been paroled after serving AT years in prison for murder and bears the doubt full distinction of having been the oldest convict in point of Service in the country. The other was Thomas O'Shea, who has forfeited >e2 years of his life to the state for decd committed in moment of passion. Hofmann is 67 years old; oShea 62 pr. Irvine, the prison physician, de- clares that he never saw two men of their ages better preserved physically.
 Hofmann has been a free man for week or more but he refused to leave the prison until some one he knew and trusted would take him away. So ac- eustomed had he become to the only life that he has known for nearly halt century that he actually dreaded to go out among his fellow-men, however, much he desired his liberty. Warden Frost moved by the old mans pathetic position, consented to drop his official duties long enough to himself lead him out into the world. Hofmann was overjoyed at this, and greatly pleased also when he learned that o'Shea would be ready to go too. So it was arranged, that they should leave together.
 World reporter met Hofmann and O'Shea as they came out of the prison and accompanied them on their won drous journey into the world.
 q never remember having had sleigh ride before" said Hofmann, on the rioe to the railroad station. You see, l was only four months in the country rom Germany when that thing (the murder of a woman, for which he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment hap pened."
 The two men took seats on the river side of the train and sat in dazed won derment at what they saw Hofmann pointed at little white steamboat plough ing down the river
 Isn't that beautiful" said he. Just think, can ride on one of them now If l want to-"
 Not a detail of the running of the train escaped his attention. OShea' whose 22 years absence from the great outside" made him comparatively world ly wise, attempted to explain some things to his companion, but he, too, frequently became perplexed and would ask the war den for information.
 As the train neared the city IIofmann plainly grew uneasy. I'm afraid" he said. Why, it is just as if l had been born into a new world. l was only 20 years old when they took me to prison, and don't remember much of my life before. They say New York is so big and great and In all the millions of people there I have only one friend. That Is Mrs. Booth, God bless her.
 To avoid the rush and hustle of the Grand Central station Warden Frost decided to get off at One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street. Once in the street, Hofmann's wonder grew.
 "The people, the people.' said he, where do they all come from?
 The warden guided his charges to restaurant, and tried to get them to eat. All that they would take was cup of coffee apiece. They declared that all ap- petite had left them.
 Hofmann has read great deal in prison and he knew of much that he was seeing for the first time. How ever, he failed to recognize many ob- jects When an automobile whlzzed by he started back in alarm.
 'Wnele are IHe HOfSes-Nndt them go?" he exclaimed "Oh, I know" answering hls own question, they have engines like steamboats."
 Trolley cars were a source of con- tinual amazement to him. He asked the warden to let him stand and watch them.
 How will I ever get used to it all?' he said, half to himself everything seems to go so fast
 wen now go downtown underground" said the warden to him, and having. ex- plicit confidence in MT Frost; the old man followed obedently. Not one word did he say from the moment he got on the trainuntil he. emerged at Fiftyninth street.
 I'm no coward was his first remark I'd rather stay on the ground
 Glancng around at the throngs of well dressed women, Hofmann expressed his admiration. For years and years,' said he, as something like tears glistened in his eyes, 'I have seen only men. It looks good to see so many beautiful faces and such lovely dresses. They must be all very rich to dress like that
 Warden Frost tried to get an automo- bile at Columbus Circle to take the two around a bit, but failed to find one He n