Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-20

Peter sat in his cell trying to think.
Thoughts came slowly to Peter. He
did not like them. It had become sec
ond nature to him to let others do the
thinking. Prior to his three days In
generation in the solitary on q very
low diet he had been rather given to
mental calculations with a view to
making trouble for the jail officials.
But these processes had brought him
woe and a dismal experience, and he
wisely decided to exist and obey with
out further brain work.
However. that was long before and
well-night forgotten. Since then he
had eaten, slept, and made heels in the
shot shop, and now was rather ap-
palled at the prospect of speedy re-
lease.
Therefore he sat upon his cot and
gave way to unpleasant rumination.
An old young man was Peter, and of
stolId countenance His form was stall
wart, and it Is perhaps unnecessary to
state that he wore his hair short and
his clothes of one pattern.
times bout up" he reflected.
"What now2 Git out-git full-swipe
somethin'-git back. Good place, an
winter comm on. Can't do better"
This moral and ambitious perspect-
I've was evidently satisfactory. His
heavy mouth wrinkled into the SEM
blance Of grin. Light sentences were
his one hope in life. Outside that he
did not go. He had no taste for great
crimes and penitentiaries A kindly
House OF Correction was not a bad
sort OF home. and he was willing to
work
Beyond a disposition to ascertain the
temper OF his keepers before settling
down, he was considered a good pris-
oner, and had a grim sense of humor,
as the following episode shows.
The visiting clergyman (there was
no regular chaplain) had called and
Iabored with him. He might as we'll
have talked to a mummy. Upon his
disappointed departure Peter shouted
after him: eli parson, you've forgot
your watch" and held 1t out through
the bars So he had, but did not rec
ollect taking it OF the chain. For this
he passed twelve hours in a dark cell
where, as the warden suggested, he
might guess the time Of day. One hour
Of this punishment was spent in grin
ming at the remembrance of his visit
or's facial expression; the rest, In sleep
on t. hard floor, Upon the whole he
dec d 1t did not pay.
From time to time rumors reached
his ear chow they got around is mys-
tery) OF a man who called upon those
about to be liberated, and this person
held for him a faint curiosity. Would
he come to see him-Peter Mogleyi
There was son2sthing out Of the or
binary about this man; the recipients
OF his attentions did not come back.
When discharged, they marched away
with their heads up, highly foolish
position in Peters mind as giving OPP
portunities for recognition. Yes, he
half hoped this person might descend
upon I'm ere his departure. Very prob
ably he was a"softy" who could be
worked In some way, and for that rea-
son the boys liked him.
1t was a Sunday afternoon. and Mr.,
Mogley reposed upon his bed. Steps
came ringing down the corridor.
Here's your man." came keepers
voice. Harmless, but no good"
The door changed open. Peter sat
up, blinking. A stranger stepped in
The door closed.
zone hour, sir" said the guard 'T'll
be near. II you're ready before that
speak"
The prisoner regarded his companion
Stonily, half insolently. He was thick