Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-09-03

Swapping Hike cords. fell upon BENCHES.
and burying TIER faces in their
hands. began to rock to and fro and
cry softly. Over the commotion rose
the shrill scream Of the prisons siren.
warning the guards within The walls
anu the people outside OF the uprising
OF the prisoners.
The guards In the littl2 blockhouses
On the walls began peppering fire
into the boiling mob Men in stripes,
their faces twisted in sudden pain, be-
gan to crumble into wry heaps as the
bullets from the guards guns stung
into their bodies. Inside the bull.pen,
thru the barred doors, the warden and
his deputies could be seen marshaling
other guards.
Hartridge found himself trembling
with excitement beside Jefferson,
watching the scene, his eyes bright
with excitement and the anticipation
OF immediate freedom Two huge men,
Beserker rage in their faces, rushed
past them bearing heavy pole, with
which they began to batter at the bull
pen doors.
What is it," Jefferson gasped.
Hartridge turned on him fercely.
It's going TO be Jail delivery
Man, its your chance to get out Come
on
With leap he was in The midst Of
the fight, his great fists falling on the
guards. He seemed tn have lost all
| control OF himself He was in blind,
destructive rage, frsm which nothing
could hold him until it had spent it.
self Thru red, he saw freedom beck.
oning to him, and he was halfcrazed
to get away from the combining walls.
the sleepless nights with his accusing
conscience. and the sight OF Jeffer-
/ sons pale, 5uffering face.
The little man was at his shoulder,
! pleading, trying to hold him back, beg
| ging him to come away, but his words
! went UNDECIDED
One OF the guards, struck by an iron
| bolt hurled by convict, fell at Hart
| ridges feet, and the former districFat-
torney stopped to pick up the rif
which clattered from the "a IS
| hands. His face was cold GEl hard
when he rose and lifted it to his Shout
der.
The next instant Jefferson hurdled
| on him, wrestling for the gun, pittlng
his baby strength against the bull-like
violence Of the larger man As if from
a distance Hartridge heard Jefferson's
scream:
stop, Stop. You'n go the chair for
this"
Behind them came fash and a
crack from guards gun. Jefferson's
face, close to Hartridge's, went white
with sudden pain Hartridge saw and
understood The rifle dropped from his
hand as Jefferson threw up his arms
and lurched forward drunkenly. Then
slowly, the little man reached out,
and with hands clawing for support,
slipped down to the ground. Under
his left shoulder Hartridge saw a
slowly spreading eliot OF blood, and
shut his eyes.
The guards found him bending over
the huddled heap in the little pool of
blood which was widening on the con.
crete pavement. They carried Jeffer-
son to the hospital, but when Hart.
ridge pleaded to 60 along, with shouts
and curses he was showed back to his
cell.
Stretched upon his narrow bed. his
thoughts rushed down upon him in a
maddening chaos OF self hatred What
il Jefferson should die? He would be
a murderer, and this torture would be
added to his already overwhelming
burden In frenzy Of agony he com
pretended that Jefferson was more to
him than any other person on earth.
The little man had been his consola-
ton and confidant in prison, he was
the only one on earth he could call
his friend He broke into scalding
tears as the realization rushed over
him. and thru the night begged with
agonized words some consoling report
from the suffering man in the hospi-
tai.
For a week, in his little hospital
bed, Jefferson fought out his great
ii2ht. He seemed determined to live,
the chaplain told Hartridge, as if he
had something important to do before
the end. Each day he asked the chap
lain II message had come for him,
and when the priest shook his head,
Jefferson would smile and say il
would come soon The days dragged
on, and Jefferson fought alone logged.
ly.
During the long nights in his cell
Hartridee was being born anew
Something in his soul had been
wrenched, and his tortures became
greater than he could bear Finally
he went to the warden and unburden.
ed his soul in complete written con.
fession.
DO you know that this may near
another indictment and years added
to your sentenceY" the warden asked
Partridge smiled.
That's nothing. II | can get away
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