Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-31
CHAPTER III-Continued.


blacksmith shop where Seth. who had be
come my helper. told me that some visit
ors were in the prison.
They've been soin' about the place
for an hour or two he said. IAN
guess they'll look in here before they
leave"
l heard him. but the words fell UNI
needed Alicia would not be with these
visitors. that l knew well. and without
her what they might say or do had no
interest for me. ! went on with my
work and in Il half hour Seth words
came true. A dozen men entered the
shop. and stood about. glancing at us
in the perfunctory way that people nave
when they are jaded by scene after
scene l should have paid them little at
tention: in fact, l should not have looked
up at all. but a bulky figure near the
door caught d wandering glance of mine
and ] knew at once that in place OF
Alicia Alicia's husband had come.
1t had been nearly two years since
saw him in the criminal court. but the
process Of change for the worse in him
had been going on steadily. His eyes
were obscured by red spots and the
heavy jaw and bloated cheeks told OF
and cruelty. The sight OF
him filled me with rage. ] could not
bear the thought that Alicia should be-
long to such a man, to do with as he
would. and presently when he came near
me. watching me swing the great sledge
a terrible idea crept into my mind. II
would be easy to let the sledge" glance
from the steel upon which it should fall
and strike him. With all my weight and
strength in the blow it must be fatal
an accident it might seem-and then
Alicia would be released.
l confess that / was tempted. tempted
fran
and happy can never know, but | put the
feeling aside. 1t was no part of my
scheme of reinstatement to do murder
and he should live for aught of me.
brought the great sledge straight and
true upon its mark. and the steel that
we were beating into shape rang with
You look like strong man." said
Grey to me.
! nodded l saw that he had not rec
ognized me. that he had not yet seen
my face. and ! resolved upon a test.
turned and gazed sauarely into his eyes
but he gave back my look uncompre-
bending. ] did not know then how
much my prison life and those interior
forces which are Of the heart and brain
had changed me. He looked me up and
down. but the remotest light of recogni-
ton did not appear in his eyes.
AT all events. said Grey to some OF
the others. these men ought to have
good appetiteS and sleep Well.
1t was brutal remark to make in our
hearing, and two or three of the visitors
laughed with the Difference that the ser
vile pay to the rich. but the majority,
was glad to notice. were silent. Nor dc
I boast when l say that at that moment
with the striped clothing of the prison
upon me. I felt myself his superior in all
things. and. If the point be pressed. bet
ter situated than he.
=
did not follow Grey with my eyes. The
new meeting inspired only contempt in
my mind for him. but with it came in
creased anxiety for Alicia.
I asked nothing about Grey. I made
no inquiries in the prison. I would not
let any one know l was interested in
him in any manner, and soon l heard that
the legislature had adjourned. l presumed
then that both he and Alicia had left the
capital for their home in Louisville. and
tried to Danish them from my thoughts as
much as possible until such time as !
should be free.
Spring came and I felt it's influence
within the prison. After cold winds and
cold rains a warm breeze blew from the
south, and j knew that the young buds
were forming on the boughs. Then the
desire for freedom became almost unen-
durable. But change was coming for
me. too. Spring passed. We were In
now, and in few more
weeks ! should be free, free to go where
1 pleased subject to no mans call and
order. free to take up my life anew and
to make more of it than had done. The
Prison brand was upon me- yet / knew
that circumstance had made me a far
better and stronger man. one beaten into
shape by the worlds rough hand
The last week or two Jagged terribly
and the last day was cruel in it's length
but it. too. passed. and my Imprisonment
was over: the sentence had been served
l said goodbye to Seth and he shed
tears at my going-I knew that he leaned
on me- His own term would be at an end
in six months. and promised to help him
then. though he little guessed in what
I threw off the hateful convict clothes:
those hideous stripes that had burned into
my very body. and putting on the plain
suit of gray provided for me-the garb OF
an honest citizen. that gave me a new dig
nty-I went into the warden's office He
looked at me some time, and then he said.
gravely:
johnson. you have been good pris-
oner. and you have made the impression
upon us all that you are not an ordinary
man. I. for one. am confident that You
are through with crime. But the passage
from a prison to the world is not without
shocks. Can I help you in any way with
letters of recommendation, or anything
of that kind?
Il am grateful to YOU ! replied. and
meant II. but in the course that I have
chosen l could not use them. l think
shall take a new start altogether"
Il infer that from this day Charles
Johnson ceases to eXist?
I did not answer him. but looked him in
the eye with the gaze that one free man
gives to another
Its not for me to counsel you" he
said good humoredly. Il think you'll be
able to take care of yourself. and I'm your
friend. | want you to know that"
II know it."
He held out his hand and | claSped il.
4 man who. year after year. has charge
of a thousand prisoners learns much of
human nature. and casts aside some false
standards.
Then he gave me more than a hundred
dollars. d gold watch and some other
valuables that had been found on me