The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-19

exaggerated swagger. Permit me to
inform you that l have changed my
residence, The card win enlighten YOU
as to my present domicile. moved
There was a new enthusiasm IN the
hantering voice. Porter had been 40
pointed secretary TO the steward. The
position. with the single exception Of the
secretaryship to the warden, was the
best In the pen. II took him beyond
directly across the street from the pen,
the edge Of the building skirting the
river.
Changed Clothes With Jobs.
Colonel. you would envy me the
voice was a low chuckle.
II have a desk near the window
big desk with ~rigeonholes, | have all
the books ! want. ! a read and think
without interruption. Now l AN do
something"
seldom had Porter alluded to his am.
bition 10 write. We sent out some Of
his stories, but he let US think they
were done Just for diversion. The new
position gave him plenty Of opportunity
TO try out his talents. He spent every
spare moment "practlcing," as he used
TO nut II.
purposes very often now, for / was even
freer than Bill I had been made sec
rotary to Warden Darby. had even
managed to worm myself out of con-
Wet clothes. When | went into Darbv,s
office l was brought into contact with
all the distinguished visitors OF the
state.
II look pretty shabby" I limited to
Darby. 81 ought to be more up to my
position" He turned to me.
Sure" he said: f" 30 over to the
state shop and get the best suit of
clothes you can order
He meant the best suit OF convict
clothes. I picked out a fine piece OF
blue serge and ordered as clever a suit
aa the governor might have worn.
When Darby saw mi without the stripes
he gasped,
ment he made. ! never wore the
stripes again.
Nearly every night Porter would come
across the street to visit Billy and me,
we would talk by the hour. filling him
up on the exploits Of bandit days. spin
ming out the yarns In choice outlaw
lingo, He listened captive, the st9T-
les seemed to suggest ideas to him. lie
never used anything just as 1t was told
you ought to startle the world"
he said TO me one day.
"How, by shooting II up?"
mo, colonel, but you have a wonder.
1 IUl tQt OF HLOTlths lbu III v hAN
from a thousand viewpoints"
often wondered at Porter's methods.
II seemed to me that he overlooked IN
Vulnerable stories by his %aloofness. he
did not seem to have the slightest de-
sire to ferret out the secrets oil the
men In the pen, The convict as q SUP
tect for his stories did not appeal TO
him. .
different from the average criminal
II was not until he returned TO the
world and suffered from Its, GOODNESS
that his %sympathies were oroadeheo ana
his prejudices mellowed.
Voice of Girl Heard.
one very odd experience revealed
this trait in Porter, used to play IN
the prison band every Sunday at chapel,
One morning a o n thrilled u from
II was the most magnificent contral-
to voice ] have ever heard. 1t had a
depth and intensity OF feeling
In its tones and at times there was q
mournful. piercing pathos In It that
struck into the soul like a heartoroken
wall
looked up, trying to trace the voict
10 It's owner. And finally It seemed ID
me that a tall. proud looking girl-a
Southerner of exceeding ~beauty-was
the singer. Her skin was moon white
1 III lIS purity, SIG Hhu bflNHulu bipN
eyes and hair that fell In a golden radi'
ance about her face. ] became greatly
interested.
There's a girl In the pen, Bill" |
told Porter, and you want to come
to chapel next Sunday and hear her
Colonel, fear you Jest. I couldn't
go into the chapel to hear the seven
ehoirs Of angels. let alone a wretched
feminine convict!'
She's Good Girl.
the women's ward. was sent over
on business. I took the chance to sat
isfy my curiosity.
WHO Is the prima donna that sings
on SundaysY' asked.
Would you like to see her?' the
matron said, looking at me with quiet
interest. You might be able to put In
q good word for her and maybe get
her a pardon. She's a good girl" Mrs.
Brown was always trying to help the
women ~convicts. Her understanding
was as kind as the sun and as deep
as the sea.
ITS a terrible thing to get It the
way she did" the matron said. shes
in on q charge Of murder. She got life
for t."
The girl came down. She was very
slender and the cheap, calico polka dot
| uTesS hnu Tue rusty DldCk ShllOT MAJ
we're out Of tone with her rich beauty
She looked like a young queen, whose
rags could not conceal her distinction
As soon as she stood before me
was embarrassed. I did not like L
ask her questions, but for once In m,
life curiosity obsessed me, | told he
40.
your singing attracted me-" | said
~ listen for 1t every Sunday"
A bitter shadow went like an ugl,
blot across her face and the girl looked
up, her clear eyes married by their lool
NJ self contempt.
Singer Shudders.