Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-10-13
CHAPTER v.
1lannin1


CHAPTER "
Planning.
NO. 60.10S began to count the
I'M hours and days to the prob
able moment when he would
receive an answer to his first
letter from prison.
His home was hardly more than
twelve miles away from Sing Sing
but 1t was across the river and we'll
out In the country. 1t would depend
upon the rural system for its delivery.
AS 1t travelled on its way. he let his
mind follow 1t with many tender and
yet distressing thoughts Of her who
would receive 1t.
Two days passed and the looked for
letter came 1t was delivered to him
O. KID by the deputy in charge Of
the correspondence department he
studied the handwriting on the en-
velope. 1t was not In the old fash.
Toned script Of his mother. and his
hands shook as he drew forth the
letter and unfolded It
He glanced at the signature and
read the name Of Margaret Wadhams,
a friend and neighbor Of his mother.
She wrote that bis mother had been
very Ill and that her eyesight was fall
ing rapidly. She could not see well
enough to write and had asked Miss
Wadhams to do the writing for her.
''She tells me to write you only a
bright letter." wrote Miss Wadhams,
but l think it Is my duty to tell you
that your dear mother has broken
very rapidly and | believe that she
has not many more days to live. Her
heart was crushed by the blow that
fell upon you and that was only in
tended for you. James. She Is patient
and prays constantly that some day
your Innocence will be established.
Garrett. the New York lawyer who
defended you. wrote to her and urged
her to mortgage the house and raise
enough money so that he could take
IN appeal to the higher courts. She
was eager to do this. but l prevailed
upon her to see Mr.. Westerveft. the
Nyack lawyer. first Mr.. Westeryelt
said that the lawyer was robber OF
widows and the poor and that be
would not Jet her get out Of his hands
until she had sold her very clothes
He took up the matter without fee.
like the kind man that he Is, and
said 1t was utterly useless to take an
appeal. He said that there was no
chance of offsetting the evidence
against you unless the real slayer OF
the watchman was found
'She keeps the clothes you wore
when you were a little boy always
near her. She has the picture taken
of you at the county fair. and 1t Is q
great comfort to her"
No. 60.10S again put aside the letter
and sat staring at the steel wall Of his
cell while he fought to master his emo
| ton. For a moment he thought fran.
tically Of trying to break out Of prison
and hurrying TO her. II he could get
little start he could swim the Hudson
and make his way home In time to
kurel beside her bed. clasp her thin
hands in his and comfort her and
breathe his love to her as she passed
into the valley of the shadow. He
glanced about him as II in the hope
that God would bring some miracle to
pass and that the steel walls and bars
would melt and the stone crumble.
Bill had swung himself up into his
bunk. Montgomery looked up and saw
his little eyes watching him keenly.
There war compassion uhmining the
countenance of this creature with
prognatbous jaw and sloping brow.
Trouble at home. Hd?" he asked.
his harsh voice meIlowing with the
kindly spirit that prompted the ques-
ton.
No. 90. 10S nodded his head The
open letter in his hands told the tale.
Gee. wish you knew how to cuss,
kid" sighed the burglar. when things
come hard on me get rid Of it all with
q good, long. healthy swear. It does
me an awful lot of good"
The boy shook his head. but the
earnestness of his cell companion
brought the faint flicker Of a smile to
bis lips.
They used to call me Roaring Bill
'Awkins.' Bill went on. Being as you
don't know how to swear artistic and
satisfactory. I'll just swear for you.
No. don't object I'll think 'em to my
self and not say thing out loud"
He swung down from his high pallet
There was still half hour before the
lights would be cut of. and this was
the best possible time for violating
prison regulations,
"You stand at the door and keep
sharp lookout. kid" he said. Il want
to take peek at this newspaper you've
won by good conduct
The discovery of this violation by
guard would have cost Montgomery
bis white disk and the loss Of forty-tive
marks. BE gave a sigh of relief when
the lights went out and Bill could no
onger imperil the disk and chevron on
bis sleeve.
The boy was half asleep when Bill
leaned over the edge Of his resting
place and whispered: kid. I've got
scheme that's a wonder. You know
what told you about getting. a suit OF
clothes for the getawayY
"Yes."
II got It all doped out"
"How will you manage itf
"Never mind" he chuckled' under
his breath. ''And as for hat! Say.
rid. l can get any kind Of a hat you
want to wear. But I'll tell you about
I In the morning."
No. eO.1Os and Bill Hawkins were
out Of their hunks next morning before
The changing Of the bell. Bill grinned
very knowingly as they pulled into
t,eir baggy gray suits. He crooked his
light index finger and held 1T before
The boy.
see thatr' he asked
YEA" replied Montgomery xwonder-