The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-05
CHAPTER xxx.
THE JAILBIRD


THE J2Ll1BlRD
YIN HOLDEN had been in States
prison for three days. He could
hardly tell one day from the
other. There was nothing TO do
except sit and absorb the chill prison
atmosphere that bored in TO his very
marrow.
Jim was a jaiIbird. The word appealed
20 him peculiarly. 1t was so trivial and
trihing ia sound and sOmber in mean
ing.
The comparison made the word strong.
Jim could think of nothing stronger. He
was a Jailbird. That was ALL
The three days had passed as time
goes in prison. There was no change.
The only recreation allowed was that of
walking with the others in his tier 10
his meals. Even that privilege would
be denied him later on. when the time
OF his execution drew nearer
Holden thought suddenly of the death
watch. He had heard SO much about
that. How would it SEEM How would
II feel 10 have guard all TO himself
for twenty-four hours before his death
There were interesting things about
being sentenced to die There was much
10 think over, much that Jim had heard
about an his life, but had only dimIy.
realized before. Now he was living the
life that he had read OF with fascinated
horror.
Around him. I'm the other cells. were
criminals of all classes. Some sentenced
Tor life, others 'in" for from ten to
twenty-five years. IL was a choice COLI
lection or weeds among which Jim found
himself
And yet he had no right to consider
H.r
mem. How ala he know bur that they
had been victims Of Circumstance the
same as he2
He suddenly felt a sympathy for
them all Though their faces were Wiz I
famous and their manner bestiaL SIN I
they were men, ana among them Ie .
was nothing but a unit That Thought
possessed him continually.
on the fourth day the lawyer came
again to see him.
"A little better this time was his E
greeting then DE related how Bess had .
already started on her journey and that|
everything seemed rs be an right.
jim was not greatly affected by the
news. 1t meant little 10 him now. AMI
lie was interested in was that Ee wouI5
live 10 hear from Eess that his one
last act had been well received bv Mrs.
Snow. lie could not die content with
cut that
Then the lawyer proceeded to- argue
with Jim about having another trial
He had brought up Eae subject before.
Dut Jim had resisted on the plea that
IA did not have tle money
Vow Holden answered f- the same
strain that he lIa not have cent.
that ac would not accept "a cent from
friends .
as Wei die at once as 10 struggle for
q new trial and have the agony pro-
Ioaeed-
"But you might be acquitted the Sec
ono ume. insisted vu- lawyer. inn.
patient With Jlm.s stuUl1Tuue-s.
OF guess lot." aH1red tine prisoner.
''What more proof would we have th.#
second time than we have uoug 1t.
didn't take Che jury long to- make u1
their minds before r. they -eJ "a sec
oud chance = wouldn't wonder If they'd
Cut Down their record bog half au hoar."
THE lawyer found ii- task HOPELESS.
Jim felt I1 his owu mind that every
tLIus was against him. $50 l. changed
the subject abruptly.
"Iave you settled up aI mg a.-
counts" asked Jim
Eyes. was the reply.
,-......r ..,,.a.se.-q--
N nose .H-tla- expenses cried Oh.
Ct.aI, looking at jim with wide eyes.
.-7Tnp-
-IHe way you talk, maa- If- too
e...- 't''..as protested I'D. lawyer
when IT, all uH with man He might
as WgH take Things Uaiosoplio
' -7
."..g '.'.' 81 '.-s i'ii'.-- @--s' "a-aa.laa
the 5000 that Esss took and Laf ea-.
raeeesg-
--r. --.-.ff-.- rar.... .,,,. a..,...,.-... ....r
Of ..e sae Gaa nd. She is paying nsr own