Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-14

n wide and two men emerged into til
sunlight They jostled each other i,
: : : !:
Asrva,u their eagnerness to reach the street a
k@ASMB if they feared that nigh
y 4*Y4A 3 yet be found to detan them.
NSY G1E Now that they had gained the oper
HEAA&b and knew they free, they pauset
n IlES N irresolute glanced back toward the prison
" n and stood still, gaping; it seemed amos
ScsscaaEssD though they had already tired of be
<ztSn ing masterless and were covetng cap
The warder, who had unlocked the
gates, leaned against the stoncwork
jangling his keys, watching them with quiet cyncism
He had seen it all before. how the routine and the
iron discipline made weaklings out of men, robbing
even the most daring of their initiative He knew that
the crueest punishment of most prisoners is en-
durcd in the cells. but 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 years."
One of the men nodded. He was an oldtmer white
haired and broken; he had been a sneak thief for
u,ward Of half century and had spent two-thrds
~ his manhood peering out from grison gratngs.
I,c was accustomed to be subscrvcnt; he gave a
va.cry smile and whispered hoarsey, "I guess we'll
nrl through all right mister; and, if they don't
rh over there" waving his hand vaguely to ind-
cate everything that not captive, Eve always
Go something and get brought back here"
The second frowned angrily at hearing himself
included in the last part of this sentence. He
much younger than his companion, and did not look
over 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 cosc-cropped hair and questionable attire he had
the ndefnabe distinction and courtesy of gentleman
born and bred
Turning to the warder impatently he asked "Can
yot tell me the way to the nearest station? want
to hoard train going eastward"
The wardcr laughed good-nauredly; he was amused
This sudden resurrection of caste-spirit in man
whom il might have been his duty to have logged
Yesterday. We'll, wel!" he exclaimed $50 you've
= important business already! We didn't give you
nu, of chance to get up the geography of this old
t,Nn when first you came here. did WEI"
Then ne gave the desired information AS he stepped
b7c, into the jail and the two men moved away he
>3lcd out after them: "Say boys if you're hard
up and want bed and breakfast, you know where to
come. II costs you nohin at our hotel; me and the
rovcrnment is always happy entertain old friends"'
\ group of people who had collected outside the
gates TO watch for the discharge of prisoners, hearing
the warders parting shot, set up litter. The younger
Of the cx-convics flushed Squaring his shoulders
and holding up his head, he made toward the crowd
with gesture that threatening. AS though he
had been stricken with smallpox, made for
him to pass the men falling back hurriedly and grim
ming up at him in ill-dsguised terror, the women
attcring little shrcks and gathering in their skirts to
avoid contamination
He walked swiftly anxious to get away from these
witnesses of his degradation and to reach some spot
where his record not known and he might be TN
ashamed. His white haired companion tottered along
behind half running in his feeble efforts to keep up
at last, spent with the exeron he cried "Say, Knight
y, you amt goin' to desert an old pal you"
Baden Knightly turned whats the matter now"
he asked, hercely you've got no claim All
that happened there is past" jerking his head in
the direction of the prison II want to blot 1t out
from my memory, and you must be forgotten with it.
I'm going home to my wife, tell you"
The old bowed his head in assent and shifted
AN right lad. All right" he muttered and without
raising his eyes, turned to depart.
Knightly watched him shuttle few steps, then called
him back Here; but, Billy. tell me what's the
matter?"
Billy paused but he did not come back II amt got
nowhere to CO." he fatered, land one to care
whether | stay in or come out guess the jairs nv
home--out here feel somehow lost
We'll, but what do you think can do for you?"
Dunno. Just let me be with you little longer
guess We pals over there-and now I'm so
burned lonesome that l don't know what to do
about it."
Biys voice broke, and he fell to shedding the
easy tears of the aged. The next thing he knew
that Knightly's round his shoulders.
Speak up, old friend" he saying. I'm going to
be so happy to-day that you must be happy too Now
tell me, what is there ! can do for your"
Let me stay with you little longer won't do
you no harm, nor give you away. III behave myself
III lust keep very quiet and pretend don't know you
Let old Billy company you part way on your Journey
When you're tired OF him, all you've got to do is to
tell him to 60 Then hell wait till you're out o
sight and do something get hisself arrested and
get back lome--over there
Knightly thought for few seconds; them turning
81 ,c co;Io tr ,,nit,
They walked to the station in silence 1t Sun
day morning. and the bells ringing for service
On their way they met family groups moving church
ward In the jaI-cy most residents were familiar
with the Gait OF recently discharged convict; Baden
Kniahlv suffered the humiliation Of seeing mothers