Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-29
CHAPTER III.
In Stripes.

In Stripes.
4 month or two OF a severe winter
passed. and during that time the monot-
ony wit hin our stone-walled world was
Ilnbroken. but when the last snow heap
in the prison yard was melting the in
vestisat!ns committee Of the legislature
fell upon Us I do not know what par
ticrilar cause II had for coming. but
have learned since that the public always
thinks a legislature wanting ill its duty
unless it investigates everything Or at
tempts 10 do SO. and ours conto~med 70
the general rule
| was in tie Blacksmith shop about the
middle of h bright winter morning, and
| was swinging the great sledge hammer
upon the head of d chiSe that another
man held in place. The sledge was one
of the heaviest ever us din fact. | was
tie only man who could handle it with
uuickneSs and skill. and I was in superb
physical fettle that morning. TIE crisp.
cold air from the prison yard flowed
through the open door into my lungs and
The blood pulsat~d with vigo in my veins.
swung the great hammer and brought
il down aga IN and again upon the head
of The steel chisel. which in its turn sank
deep into the iron that we were cutting.
The shop was flied with the rhythmic
strokes | became conscious that the door
way was darkened by human figures.
But did not look up. keeping my eyes on
the head of he ch!se! which must strike
center and true
''The investie committee said
Polk. the man who held the chsel but
my interest was not aroused and 1 went
OH with my work. although ] was con-
scious that several people had come into
the shop and wee looking al US.
"One of our best men. both for be-
havor and work" I heard the warden
gay. and still I did not Look up.
The iron bar was cut through and !
put down the hammer Then saw that
Their We're ladies with the committee.
wives of the members perhaps or visitors
in Frankfort. but already they we e go
ing away, their interest in the shop and
its workers finished and the next mo-
ment only two or three were left.
leaned the great hammer against the wall
and. turning for my next task, came face
10 face with a woman-Alicia,
ST was more beautiful than ever and
ais" Ear sadder. The pathetic appealing
looh in her eyes had deepened and
knew instantly. as tie lightning fla sll
c!ea~s The darkness, that she had not been
guilty Of any treas son 10 he: that II she
lad seemed 10 desert me it was beca use
it lay beyond her power to do otherwise.
7 turned back hastily. bat il was too
ate. She saw my face. and beneath all
its SCOT and CRIME, with all the changes
of tile prison. she knew me a once.
saw the color leave her cheeks until they
were like those of the dead. and | saw
look OF surprise and horror come into
her eyes.
Harry she exclaimed in a frightened
whisper. You. you here, How has this
happeneG?"
You heard my confession that night in
your house when he came. I replied.
But by the look Of deepening horror in
her eyes | saw that something still un-
explained lay between us. | glanced a bout
me. The rest of the visitors had gone
and Polk. a common convict who was
there because he deserved to be. showed
delicacy that would have done credit
To many a better man. When he heard
us talking together he turned away and
began to fuss with the tools at the far
end of the shop
But he-lle told me''-the word he
came painfully. that you escaped. from,
the jail there in Louisville and that you
had completely disappeared. | vas ILL.,
very i'll for a long time and | did not
know what was passing then. | never
dreamed that-that-
She stopped and I saw her tremble The
appealing look in her eyes now was for
me. and told OF hope that 7 would say
something TO eXculpate her. I could not
resist it. After all. my position was bet
ter than hers. Moreover what was done
was done and could not be undone.
You heard my confession that night. =
repeated II came to the house to rob.
did not know that it was yours. and
when | saw YOU ! pretended to some
thing else. But | was caught and / had
your purse in my pocket
! spoke with every appearance of ear
nestness. One can tell lie sometimes
with as much zeal as the truth. but il
made no impression upon her.
"Oh, Harry. Harry" she cried. You
have suffered all this for me-
1T was worth it l could not keep
meant my words. Her look her manner
sent through me a thrill of the most ex-
auisite JOY. Nothing better can ever come
10 Il man than the gratitude Of good
woman and ! think ! understood then
that my misadventure had not been
wholly a IN sfortune. But | repeated.
1T IS as | say. and don't forget that
here | am Charles Johnson. Let Harry
Clarke be dead for the time
She put her hand upon my arm. and
brought her face close to mine. until her
eyes fairly looked into me Alicia had
wonderful eyes. | have never seen an
others that varied SO i'll shade. that eX-
pressed so many emotions. that could be
al one moment gentle and appealing. and
al another SO firm and masterful. Now
they wera strong. with high purpose
and she said in q reSolute tone:
DO You think that | could let you
ne disSraced for me? Am l woman Of
that kind? | shall go before the governor
and tell all the facts! | shall gel YOU
out of here al once"
1t was grateful To me to hear these
words. to know the fun nobility of her
nature but ! only shook my head.
No. Alicia. | said. its no use You
may believe me or not about my errand
in your house that night. but | shall stick
10 the tale. and it's TOO late for YOU to
change it. Tou could not prove your
story nor would ii he believed while
stick to mine. I have gained someth hing
by coming here. ! really mean it. ! am
not more unhappy than you are
| spoke the last sentence unWillingiy
hut when she heard it she stepped ba OK
letting her hand fall from my arm, While
the shamcd color flew to her cheeks.
Forgive me-, I cried in quick rcmorSe
i would not have her TO see that knew
her miserable in her married life II
meant to say that the prison has not
been unkind To me. | shall go from il a
far better and a far stronger man than
! Was when | came. Believe me. Alicia.
when ! say that ] have gained rather