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

finger after another was worked into
a pulpy condition. The making Of the
coat took all summer. but Bill was 50
interested 10 the task that he even
sewed in his bunk after the lights were
turned off. feeling every stitch In the
dark with raw fingers that spilled
blood. but with patience that never
tagged.
Another year was started. and the
coat was finished Bill stole the cloth
for the trousers which would replace
the tubelike neither garments Of the
prison uniform.
All the while No. e0.10s was perfect.
Ing himself in mechanical work Soon
he was Informed that be would be the
man to succeed the convict foreman
when the latter was given his liberty.
As foreman Of the shop Montgomery
would have degree Of liberty given to
few convicts. On busy days he would
be exempt from roll calls. and when
the care of machinery required 1t be
could spend bis evenings In the shop.
He would superintend the acceptance
and assembling Of all new machines
and parts Of machines and the disposal
of the old.
The coveted white disk remained on
his sleeve. and new chevron was
added with each year.
We'll wait until you get the job as
foreman" Bill decided. when you
take charge and get the hang of things.
then we can plan the way out. An
other year or two aln't going to hurt
you. You want to get such a start,
once you're out, that they won't close
in on you and drag you back. kid It's
worth waiting for"
One day No. G0.10S was called from
his task and given a new blouse. On
the left sleeve was clean white disk
and under It. where the chevrons had
been, q white star. This signifed that
he had served five years with perfect
conduct That same day the convict
foreman went before the board of pa.
role and was allowed time of due him
for his good marks shown on the pris-
on record he was allowed day for
every three marks. the total being sub
tracted from his sentence.
Montgomery became the foreman and
took charge of the machine shop force.
He was now twenty six years old and
had developed from a scrawny coun
try boy into a well built and handsome
man. His eyes were grave and his
mien serious. BE appeared to be well
beyond thirty years of age.
During the early part of this 6fth
year Montgomery had begun to steel
himself for the news from home that
would tell him that his mothers life
was closed She was hopelessly blind.
wrote Miss Wadhams. and was worn
to q shadow. He was ready for the
trial and knew that 1t was ut hand
when a trusty brought him a black
bordered letter with an order granting
him permission to retire to nis cell for
the rest Of the day.
Bill found him praying beside his cot
when he came in at the close of the
days work. The black bordered en-
velope In Montgonery's hand told him
as much as words could tell him He
patted his grieving companion on the
shoulder as father would caress Il
son IN dire trouble.
In the shelter Of their towels. stretch
ed across the cell. he drew the com
pleted gray suit from its hiding place
Montgomery rose to his feet.
"They put In the new machinery this
week. kid. don't they2" Bill asked.
Montgomery nodded.
"And they ship out the old ma
chinesT'
"Yes."
"welL it's time to make the get
away"