Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-11-19
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DAVID AND :
GOLIATH {
BY ELLIS MEREDITH 9

Copyright, by shortstory Pub. Coz

There is plenty of material for TO-
nance, both in the inmates of this
grim Jail, and in the wild canyon. with
its towering mountains rising high
over the Flagstaff that surmounts one
of the turrets. The warden, John
Hoyt, looks like the ideal sheriff. His
massive frame is in harmony with
gray walls and mountains, and the
men who have come to know him we'll
have a great depth of regard, as well
as respect, for John Hoyt.
The visitor to this state prison
would hardly have chosen Convict No.
All as a hero. Except his great
stature and splendid shoulders, which
would have made him an ideal model
for an ebon statue of Hercules, there
was nothing about him to attract q
second glance. Goliath was about 60
years old when he went to the pen. 4"
He was one Of the few slaves who re
garded the emancipation proclama-
ton with feelings akin to disgust. The
war had proved the ruin of his fam
lily" the Culpeppers Of Georgia. and
had thrown Goliath on the world with
but few ideas of his own, and no ways
and means committee to suggest 9TH
ers. After various vicissitudes. ter
minating in wide acquaintance with
county jails all over the country. Go
Hath drifted west and hired out as a
cook in hotel. The American house
achieved an enviable fame during the
reign of Goliath, and the bartender
has never ceased lamenting his for
chile removal before he had impaired
the secret of mint juleps concocted
according to receipt handed down
from generation to generation in the
Culpepper family. Fate, however, in
tervened, and when certain bits of
1ewelry. including some diamonds,
were found among the few poor be-
longings of Goliath, though he insisted
on his innocence, the evidence was too
strong. In view of his past Jail record
Goliath was given the full extent of
the law.
His jail experience had taught Co
Hath that the ability to sing a song.
tell story and mix a drink, to say
nothing of his culinary skill, made him
favored and not unwelcome charac-
ter with jailers and wardens. Hoyt
was no exception.
The advent Of a new prisoner is not
matter Of much interest In a peni.
Tertiary, but when No. 623 was sent
up" Warden Hoyt was moved to pity.
The boy was handsome and gentle
manly, but appeared stunned and half
insensible as he stood looking out of
the window Of the long, bare room
where prisoners are first received.
He had been sent up for killing a.
well-known gambler, which act had
been generally commended, and 1t was
thought he would soon be pardoned.
Goliath and No. 623 soon became
fast friends. At first No. 623 was a
good deal of care to the warden. He
was sick in mind and body, and the
doctors prescriptions were of no
avail. He kept entirely away from the
other convicts, and on account of his
weakness Hoyt gave him odd jobs that
kept him more or less under his own
eye or that of Goliath, whose love for
him was something beautiful to behold.
The second year of No. 623's impris.
onment was wearing to a close, and
Goliath's term was within four months
or its conclusion when the Maine with
her gallant crew went to the bottom.
There was the widest excitement in
the prison, and war was declared
there long before the presidents call
for troops. Convicts who expected to
get out very soon spoke eagerly of
their chances to get to the front No.
62S, with only three years to serve,
grew troublesome.
Now, honey chile" argued Goliath.
ryou-all doan' wanter git into no wah.
Pse been thu one, an I tole you.
pintedly, dere amt no satisfaction in
wah."
But No. 62S refused to be COM
forted. Think Of it," be said, walk
ing up and down the long kitchen.
Just think of it.! The Townsends have
been In all the wars there've been in
this country, since before the French
and Indian war. My father was with
Lee, and my grandfather was at
Lundy's Lane, and my great-grandfa-
Their was one of Marion's men, and
when 1t comes my time I'm just COM
mon jailbird. / reckon it's enough to
drive a man to desperation"
He dropped down on a chair. and
buried his face on his arms on the
kitchen table where Goliath was peel
Ing potatoes. Goliath's dark face was
sorely troubled.
Half an hour passed with no sound
save the splash Of the potatoes as they