The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-09

HE soowling gates of the jail swung
 eMN k wide and emerged into the
 sunlight They jostied each other III
 their eagnerness reach the street. as k@SA AN if they feared that excuse might AIN vet be found detain them.
 h8 %aH Now that they had gained the open HRA&H and knew they were free. they paused T irresoute glanced back toward the prison, and stood still, gaping; it seemed almost NSHEzzEM as though they had already tired of be-
 <yfxsn ing .rnasterless and were coveting cap-
 CD tvity
 The warden who had unlocked the
 gates leaned against the stoneworlc, ;a,eing his keys watching them with quiet cynicism He had seen it all before. how the routine and the iron scioline made weddings of men, robbing even the most daring of their initiative. He knew that the cruelest punishment of prisoners is not en- dured in the cells in the first hours of release
 Cheer up boys" he said kindly; you'll get used to it Seems kind O strange at first, don't it. after all these yearsF"
 One of the men nodded He old-timer, white haired and broken; he had been sneak thief for upward of half century and had spent two-thlrds of his manhood peering from grison gratings. He was accustomed be subservient; so he gave watery smile and whispered hoarsely, T guess we'll pull through all right niser and if they don't use us right there, waving his hand vaguely to inoir rate everything that was captive, "we always do something and get brought back here"
 The second man frowned angrily at hearing himself included in the last part of this sentence He much younger than his companion and did not look oyer thirty Tall and athletic in build, he carried him. self with an which almost military His forehead was broad, his features clean-cut and scholarly his eyes gray and naturally honest Despite his cose-cropped hair and unfashiouable attire he had the indefnable distinction and courtesy of gentleman Lorn and bred
 Turning to the warden impatiently. he asked. "Can you tell me the way the nearest stationf l want board a train going eastward.
 The warder laughed good-natured1y; he was amused at this sudden resurrection of caste-spirt in man whom it might have been his duty to have hogged yesterday. Well wel1F he exclaimed "So you've got important business aireadyi We didn't give you much of chance get up the geography of this old when first you came here, did wei?
 Then he gave the desired in formation As he stepped hack into the jail and the two moved away he called out after them "Say boys, if you're hard np and bed and breakfast, you know where to rome It costs you nohin at our hotel; me and the government is always happy entertain old friends A group of people who had collected outside the gates watch for the discharge of prisoners hearing the warders parting shot. set litter The younger of the ex-convics flushed Squaring his shoulders and holding up his head, he made toward the crowd with a gesture that threatening. As though he mad been stricken with smallpox made for aim pass. the falling back hurriedly and grim ming up at him in nl-dsguised terror, the tering little shres and gathering in their skirts to avoid contamination
 He walked swiftly. anxious to get away from these witnesses of his degradation and to reach spot where his record not known and he might be ashamed His wite-haired companion tottered along behind half running in his feeble efforts to keep up; last spent with the exeron he cried Say, Knight tY, amt gOin to desert an old pal are you!
 Baden Knighty turned Whats the matter now" he asked, fercely. @You've got claim All that happened there is past" jerking his head in the direction of the prison T to blot it out from my memory, and you be forgotten with it. I'm going home my wife, tell you"
 The old man bowed his head in assent and snified. HAn right, lad Ali right" he muttered, and without raising his eyes turned to depart
 Knighty watched him shu1e few steps, then called him back Here; but, Billy, tell me what's the natter7'
 Billy paused but he did not back T aint got nowhere go" he faltered, land to care whether I stay in out guess the jaPs my home-out here feel somehow lost"
 "rWe1I, but what do you think can do for youg"
 "Dun'no'. Just let be with you little longer, guess We pals there-and I'm so durned lonesome that I don't know what to do about it"
 Blly's voice broke, and he fell to shedding the easy tears of the aged. The next thing he knew was that Knightlys round his shoulders. Sneak up, old friend" he say1ng '1m going to be so happy to-day that you must be happy too. Now seIf me what is there can do for you?"
 "Iet me stay with you little longer. I won't do vou no harm, give you I'll behave myself Let old Billy company you part way on your journey When you're tired of him, all you've got to do is tell him to go. Then he'll wait till you're out O sight and do something to get hsself arrested, and ret hack home-over there.
 Kniaf,tly thought for few seconds; then, turning nm his heel, "Ccne or" he said abruptly.
 They walked to the station in silence. It Sum dav morning and the bells ringing for service rl-1 their way they family groups moving church. yard Tn the jal-city most residents familiar ;+t ,b- gait of recently discharged convict Baden z;at,ttx suffered humiliation of seeing mothers ..stiIv collecting their chdren,' hen does her