The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-06-20

The murderer was sitting in dark
cell in the deepest cellar of the great
prison. Three times he had attacked
the wardens. For the first two offens-
es he had been whipped, after the
third he was placed in chains and
from tha lay he grew more sullen
and despe lie than ever.
Then the old director of the prison
died and a new man came to take his
place. The news of this spread
among the prisoners and hope and
fear took possession of their minds.
One day footsteps were heard out
side the murderer's cell, the door was
opened, the warden remained outside
while another man entered. He was
blinded by the darkness and at first
he saw nothing, but the murderer
saw him plainly enough. He stood up
and glared at the intruder, young
pale man with almost transparent
features. His eyes were blue and
dreamy, mis- hair blonde as was also
his curly beard.
''The director" the rough voice of
the warden outside announced. The
murderer Strengthened himself a lit
tie more and the director stepped
closer. His eyes had now adjusted
themselves to the darkness and it
was an unpleasant impression upon
him, but his voice was calm and
gentle.
"You are convict number seven?"
Eyes, SIR
'sYou have been whipped twice for
q very serious offense.'
"Yes," the prisoner replied, sui
lenly.
s'You have been put in chains?"
The prisoner did not reply, but rat
tied his chains defantly.
''I am the new director. You must
not consider me your enemy, but
rather your teacher
Teacher" the prisoner repeated
with scornful laugh.
Eyes, teacher"
An impatient movement was heard
outside.
81 want to treat you with kindness
if possible. consider that treatment
more useful than whippings."
Eyes, sir" replied the prisoner
mechanically, without understanding
the directors words.
The Life Prisoner.
To-day is the first of October: I
shall return on New Years day. If
you have behaved well during the
three months, I will give you some
thing no prisoner has ever had be-
fore. Now try to improve"
The director placed his small,
white hand on the convict's shoulder
and the unfamiliar touch Of kind
hand made the prisoners knees trem-
BILE.
The director left, the door was
locked, the sound of his steps died
away in the hall.
The prisoners first thought was
touch of emotion, the second Of
hatred because here was a man he
felt would prove stronger than him
self; the third and last was the Ques-
ton: "What did the director mean
when he said he would give me some
thing, no other prisoner ever had
before?"
He tried to find an answer to this
question for days, weeks and months.
He thought of all things not to be
found in prison. A looking glass?
He had not seen his own image for
years; but prison life had made him
lose every trace of vanity.
A flower? There had been a time
when his highest wish had been to
get flower in a pot that he might
take care of it and watch it grow
ing-but now he cared no longer for
such a thing.
At last he thought that there was
nothing in particular that he was
longing for, and he was from now on
only curious to see what the director
might give him.
With his finger nail he scratched a
mark on his bench for every day
that passed, and one day he discover
ed it was New Years day. He had
been as quiet as possible since the
first day of October and his mind
had been entirely occupied with spec
ulations as to what he was to get.
He trembled at the thought that
there might be something to be said
against him, that he should never
know what the director had planned
d, Tn him