Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-04-09

up his plate or cup he can get more
coffee or whatever there may be for
breakfast Waste is avoided, but no
man need go away from the table I'M
satisfied. After a busy quarter of an
hour the keeper in charge of the first
company knocks on the table, and the
men in his charge, some fifty or sixty,
rise ut once and form into line, each
carrying his knife and fork in his hand.
The keeper takes his station at the
door, and as each man passes out he
must deposit his knife and fork in the
hov nrnvidnd for that r,iirnoeo
If the day IS fine, the men are march
ed around the yard for half an hour.
still keeping their formation, and a
strange sight it is to see the long lines
of men marching in and out around
the buildings in endless procession.
Exercises over, away they march to
the chapel, which, owing to the efforts
of the chaplain and his friends, is dec
GRATED with flowers and plants, dis
posed so as to hide as much as possi-
bic the telltale bars and other sugges-
tive items. Each man as I've enters re-
ceives u printed programme of the
services, containing also the hymns to
be sung by the congregation. For
weeks previously the prison choir has
been practicing Easter music, and, as
a rule, the prison choir is quite compe-
tent to give as good choral service as
those Of great many city churches,
Irff 10. - Nt~A11 %r,,f 4
voices, even male soprano voice be-
ing far from unusual. The programme
is great deal more varied and extern
sive than you would hear in a church
and partakes more of the character of
a sacred concert. Solos, duets, trios,
varied by selections by n capital or
chestra and in some prisons a full
brass band. Often some of the pieces
are by some talented prisoner
The religious services are brief, most
Of the time being taken up by the
choir. The whole is over in about an
hour and a half. Then comes the
march back to the cells, each man re-
ceiving as he passes the mess room
tin containing his afternoon meal,
which consists of three hard boiled
eggs some cold potatoes and as much
bread as he cares to take. Taking his
place at the lever which locks every
door on that gallery, the keeper waits
until each man is in his place. At the
signal each door is closed with bang,
snap goes the lever. and fifty doors are
securely locked. Then comes the count
Each man stands behind his door,
which. being formed of iron bars, per-
mits him to he plainly seen, and as the
keeper knocks with his key in passing
answers Here" \ second keeper re-
peats the count, and then for the pres
ent each man is left to the enjoyment
of his own company.
At IL o'clock the prison wakes up
again little as the mess room walters
pass from door TO door with great cans
of boiling coffee. Soon all is quiet
again. and little can be heard as the
afternoon drags along except the soft
football of the felt shod patrol or an
inpatient sigh from wakeful prison
er. At o'clock fresh water is served
out to each man, and his lamp Is light
ed. Slowly the time drags along until
0 O'Clock, when at the striking of the
prison gong all lights are put out. the
great prison is soon as quiet as a city
of the dead, and Easter Sunday has
passed.-New York Evening Post.