Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-10-13

no mean sacrifice. The star and disl
on Montgolnery's sleeve had helped II
the free acceptance of Bill's story.
A guard found the scissors and bod
kin in another convict's cell. and ranks
were broken and the men permitted t.
finish the wnshup for supper.
Bill was sent back to his cell and
Montgomery followed him.
"Why did you do It BillT asked the
young man. "why did you do It
The penalty is fifteen marks for everJ
month Of your minimum sentence
That means 2.700 marks against you
and there is an added day Of sentence
for every three marks"
Bill had calmly taken 600 days. near
ly two and a half years, added time
to help his companion But he had nc
time to talk over the matter now. BE
addressed Montgomery brusquely. The
minutes were precious
THE suits gone." he said. "You've
got to beat 1t for the Hackensach
meadows by freight over on the other
shore. Leave the freight at Home
stead and make for the marsh grass
It is six feet and more high. They
can't track you through It You'll find
little hummocks Of hard ground above
highwater mark. Look sharp and dnd
one with a puddle Of rain water on II
II you can. Be careful about quick
sands. There's two Quicksand holes
northwest of Homestead Go In the
other direction"
The old burglar talked rapidly and
without moving his lips. The words
came in a whispered streak to the
ears of Montgomery. Third term men
became ventriloqulal. and the rule OF
silence falls beneath their skill.
He reached under Montgomery's mat
tress and pulled out left hat slip
this under your blouse" he said.
he fipped over his own mattress
and his quick fingers tore open the
under sheet of ticking. he found five
ten dollar bills sewed together as one
"Put this in your KICK" he told Mont
gomery. You will need It Don't ask
any questions. There amt time.
had 1t slipped in from the outside"
In two minutes more they would say
goodby to each other II the escape was
successfully managed
Don't forget the old man. KID" Bill
said soiemnly. Il don't know how
much 1t counts. but you might think OF
me at night when you say your pray
era II you make out all right get q
personal In the Herald and sign II
KID The Butcher Is on his good be-
havior and gets the paper regular
He'll watch for 1t and let me know
Any kind Of code yon make up we
can dope out in here"
The bell sounded for mess formation
Bill held out his hand. and Mont.
gomery took It In both Of his.
The open head Of the oblong box In
the machine shop lay between the legs
Of the table at which convict No. co.
10S made his record OF machinery re-
ceived and machinery shipped from
the prison. Apparently It was ready
to be taken from the prison
Four men were staggering out Of the
shop with a Grated machine when the
convict at the desk asked how many
more pieces their wagon could take.
zone more" replied one Of the men.
"Can you handle this long box to
6nish the load?'
"It's just right to finish up with for
the night"
"An right Take IT ont when you
return. may be out Of the shop II
b time to turn in will put 1t down
on my list as having been sent
Montgomery was alone In the room
and at his desk. Outside he heard the
clatter Of the heavy shoes Of the truck
men approaching. He bowed over his
desk for a moment and then disap-
peared. A gray form wriggled feet
first into the box. and the end under
the desk suddenly closed with slight
click.
The truckmen entered. shouldered
the cofflplike case and. finding It light
er than they had expected. hastened
their steps that they might quickly
finish with their Job for the night
They passed out Of the shop to the
quadrangle. heaved the box to the rear
Of the loaded truck and roped II on.
It was nearly II o'clock. and the
stars were obscured by clouds. Arc
lights made the quadrangle Us bright
as day and illumined the high walls
and every nook and corner. Senries
in their little octagonal boxes stood
with their rifles In hand. keeping a
sharp lookout
A team Of powerful horses tugged
at the burden. and the load OF machln'
cry was started out At the gate the
head truckman told the guard that
his Job was done for the night and
gave him a slip containing the list oi
pieces intrusted to him to deliver al
the Ossinin: freight station.
In another half minute convict No
GO.10S was outside Of the wall OF Sing
Sing He braced himself with his
knees and elbows when the truck jolt
ed over rough places In the road.
Bill hud told him that he would find
path down the clitf half mile north
of the prison II would lead to the
railroad tracks He was to find II and
get away from main roads
Montgomery counted on one hour be
fore his tier guard would demand III
explanation Of his absence at the ma
chine shop and then give the alarm.
He estimated the distance by tht
speed of the horses and ut the proper
moment released the end OF the box
He drew himself forth and tumbled
with u sldewise twist to the soft, eartl
road. On hands and knees he scram
bled into the shadow Of some bushes
and took his bearings.
The road was deserted and the
houses all dark. The only sound was
the creaking Of the load Of machinery
which rapidly became fainter anC
fainter. He plunged down the patti
and at the bottom Of the cliff turned
and ran to the south through the little