The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-08
BY NO 7t24

VI Nlo Il'Nn gay ' thlhN ~
was, after my arrival at Walla
Walla. was transferred from
the "fish" cell to one OF the
mill corrldora--those occupied
~ men working In the iu,e
mill.
The cell TO which I was az
signed already had an oecu.
pant. az Inferred from the
"furnishinas" and the fact that
one OF the two hunks was al.
ready made up. These hunks
were fastened, one above tho
other. to one Of the walls, and
/ took up fully one hair the floor.
space OF the cell.
How two men could occupy such
cramped quartera without positive
discomfort WAS beyond my comprc.
/ hennlon particularly as had been
told that the inmRtoa we're kept
locked up all the time when not at
work or at meals. with the cNccp.
Z tton OF an hour or 30 ia the rccrca-
I tlon yard on SUNDAY afternoons
and. of course. when they we're al.
tending services or entertainments
/ IN the auditorium later learned
that by tacit arrangement. one re-.
manned IN bed while the other was
dressing or uudreshiug Indeed
most Of our reading WAS done In
/ ted as the benches with which the
cells we're equipped made but In.
different seats
Wretehed Accommodate
This Wretchsd cell accummoda
tion was and Is the vcry worst
lecture Of the institution The
ventilation 81 poor. there is not sui
/ ficicut cir for one person TO
breathe. let alone two In summer.
conditions are almost intolcrablo
aud on hot nights the men lie strip.
ped 10 the waists. or entirely
naked rocking With Precipitation
and literally gasping Tor breath
Toilet facilities are wholly made.
cuate
I vas somewhat curious Ia meet
ms cellmatc. curHory glance at
his personal effects having arouH.
ed ~, interest Ia addition 90 nee.
essay toilet articles. a pipc and to.
hacco and few crude tools which
I afterwards learned were used ia
making curios. noticed piled upon
one OF the benches recent mum
her ~ the Christian Science Mon
tor. volume ~ Emerson cn-
SAYS. Dlrwlua origin OF Species. a
copy of TenuyaouH poems a book
Of short stories by O. Henry. and
several works on Thcosophy.
re Was "oid Timer"
The trusty' who had conducted
me 10 my quarters had volunteered
the information that was being
INT IN With an old timer" but be
yond that I knew nothing. and
wondered what sort OF fellow Il
vas Who showed such catholici,y Of
choice ia reading matter
shortly the noon whistle blew.
ud the shufning Of many feet In
the corridors and the incfssant rat.
Ting ~ levers and bolts announced
the return ~ the men from work
Presently the door OF the cell
man with whom was 10 share the
Intimate life OF prison cell for
months perhaps years--to come.
He appeared TO be about 80 years
OF age. was Of medium height and
fomeVhat stopped lilo had deep.
IS etched lines running from the
wings ~ his nostrils 10 the corners
1. L.. L. Ass
color held a look OF endurance and
suffering and abiding sadness and
hopelesHncss which affected me
strongly afterwards noticed that
this was the prevailing expression
among the inmatcs- particularly
those who had been there FOR any
length OF time
Paid Him Seant Attention
BEYOND brief. lncurious. yet
swiftly appraising glance at me. he
appeared to notice me not at oil
lie filled his pipe and deftly rolled
paper Fglll which he lighted from
torch carried by n trusty passing
down the corridor matches are
strictly coutraband In the institu-
tom. ~ his pipe. and with a sigh
Of relaxation. stretched himself
upon his bunk and smoked
/ In few minutes he arose. emp
tied the ashes from his pipe. and
for the first time. spoke TO me
Warned Of "Red.Taaelna"
Wen be going to dinner in
minute Just follow me and be
careful not to talk in the corridors
or In the dining room. or youll be
rcd.tagged and that means -
hours in the hole
His voice was low. slightly
husky. as tho from disuse and al.
most without infection lie didn't
tell mo his name or ask mine. he
cbservcd none of the conventional
platitudes which men usually en-.
ploy on meeting for the first time.
lie eyinced absolutely no interest
In me that I could note. He merely
accepted me with the apathetic In.
difference with which he would re.
gard any other event thrust upon
him in a life in which he had no
initiative.
Dinner Gong Sounds
Before | had time TO ask him
what he meant by red tagging"
the dinner gong sounded. the lev.
ers and bars controlling our corri-
dor shot back and We stepped out
side the cell and took our places In