The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-06

= = ANtNG taken q coiu PiutieO -
the tank. Phil Daring, Convict
No 1851. put on his stripes a
deep sense of humiliation
flushed through him as he did so. he
caught a smile on the face of the man
he remembered but could not place
That nerved him. and he put On the
prison garb slowly and carefully, as
though he were used to 1t.
When he had finished dressing the
bath-trusty took him by the arm and
led him above There they passed
through a long corridor lined on es oh
side with cells.
Number IN called a guard and they
consulted together for a few minutes.
Then Phil was conducted to the end of
the passageway and shown into a dark,
dismal cell.
You stay in the cell all your first
day: that's prison regulations" sad the
guard.
Then the bath trusty added:
And as long as you're new in this
business yer might read the sign on the
wall there. 1t tells about your "copper"
you've got plenty comm ter you If you
don't lose it,"
q" Copper repeated Phil. wonder
ingly. for he had never heard that slang
phrase
As there was but one placar6 on the
wall. he stepped over and read it.
It explained briefly that each con
vict's sentence had been shortened by
, law That If a man behaved himself
he would be able to get out of prison
IN about two-thirds of the time that his
sentence called for The law gave 10
model prisoners two months of from the
first two years. four months frol~e the
third and fourth, and for every var
after that, five months were substractsI
from the sentence for good behavior.
P..h figured II out. THIRTY years was
his sentence According TO law he had
already earned eleven years of that
time That left him only nineteen TO
serve provided he behaved himself.
To think of doing otherwise was alb
surd. But nineteen years! 1t seemed
an eternity
Better busy yourself cleaning out
your cell, No. $751; spoke ND a harsh
voice.
Phil looked cut. There stood the bath
trusty, locking in at aim.
What shall I do?'' asked Phil help
| lessly, glancing around.
Here's a bucket and brush" said the
trusty. throwing open the door and
pushing in a pail of hot water.
I see you're readin' about your COP
right
rs that what you call 'copper'7"
ASKED PM, indicating the sign.
That's it! The years what you get
on your sentence is copper. It's the
most precious thing you got. an you
better hang onto il Ike DEATH" came
the advice.
Then No. III disappeared without
souud. Phil had noticed that all of
the guards and TRUSTEES wore sneak
ers. so that it was very difficult to
Oh
Left alone with the scrub-brush and
pail Phil hardly knew what to do. He
stood gazing around in wonder. Then
guard appeared at the door and looked
Phil knew that he must do something,
so he dropped to his knees at once and
soap and water. II was hard WORK, and
the sense Of degradation Phil felt in
doing II enhanced the hardship.
At length he was through
He had just thrown the brush into
the bucket and pushed il into a corner
when No III appeared suddenly at
He looked around critically.
Pretty poor job was his comment
But I guess well let il pass. seem it's
your first attempt"
Phil made no reply, but handed the
pail over TO the bath trusty
sitting on the edge of his bunk. pldI
wondered who his cell mate would be
he felt that the Imprisonment WoId be
much easier if he were allowed 10 be
in the little room alone.
But there was no choice IN the matte
for him. If a roommate was to be
thrust upon him he would get along as
best he could
In accordance with 4 prison rule that
a convict must spend the first DAY IN
mis- cell, Pills dinner was brought in
10 him. Al just about that tlme the
other men In his building returned
from their work ia the different indus
tries the jail supported.
II was the first time Phil had seen
any great number OF them together
over each face was spread that deathIy
palloT. Phil could imagine it settling
over his own.
They did not speak a word. but
marched 10 their places in silence and
dropped into their cells like so many
balls OF lead into a shot mold
the sameness that perVaded their
faces caused Phil 10 sicken. Then czme !
the horrible thought that he we one
OF them