Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-21
The Pledge of
"4444"
By WINIFRED DUNBAR
Observation-Disclosures

the grim penltentlary sat ut MS uesh
pen In hand, a written list Of numbers
before him. Each number indicated O
human being under the ban Of the law
and In his official charge.
"Thirty.nine," he observed to the
deputy warden seated opposite to him
who shall be the fortiethf"
Gravely the other passed over
strip Of cardboard upon which he had
hurriedly penciled the numerals:
"4444."
"Ill take II on your say So" OBJ
served the superintendent. sympathy
doesn't pay In our line, but l think
you know your man."
II do, indeed, know him." replied
the deputy with warmth and feeling.
He is a patient hero, a martyr, and
the modest, pretty girl, his fiancee,
who has visited him regularly each
month since he came here Is a Jewel
Of loyalty and love"
Sentiment In the case, too, ehT'
questioned the superintendent. II don't
know how far a prisoner can be trust
ed with his freedom with love In the
question"
Let me tell you briefly about this
Robert Moody" urged the deputy. II
have become immensely interested In
him."
All right" nodded the superlntend-
ent reslgnedly.
His story as know 1t Is this: His
employer man named Hodges, a
stock broker. sold widow woman, a
Mrs. Percival, some worthless mining
stock, taking her last Ave hundred dol
lars. She became seriously Ill later
and was tsld that an expensive surgi.
cal operation only could save her life.
Moody, indignant at the fraud his en-
ployer had perpetrated, bought back
the securities, paying out the money
Of Hodges to DO It. Then he handed
his resignation to the knave. The life
OF Mrs. Percival was saved and Moody
became acquainted with her daughter.
Nina. Hodges manipulated the old ac-
counts Of his business and had Moody
arrested for embezzlement. He man.
aged to convict him. Then Hodges
took fancy to the girl. She says she
will remain true to the lover who gave
up his good name and liberty for her
mothers sake, II she has to wait q
lifetime for his release"
"Send In 4444." was the only com.
ment the superintendent made, and
within few minutes a young man en-
tered the room.
"4444," said the superintendent. "y
have chosen you as one Of the for[
honor convicts."
II thank you" spoke Moody, quietly
enough. but drawing In his breath as
though the hrst CLEAN Of freedom had
come.
"The state has decided to send out
an experimental squad to make a park
at a town fifty miles away. Its 1em-
bers will not wear the prison uniform,
nor will an armed guard be put over
them. Think what II means for thou.
sands Of convicts pining for air and
sunshine and a free life, II you forty
men are true to your promise"
Il shall not attempt to escape"
pledged 4444 fervently.
IF you return. every man in the
squad will be given six months
credit"
It was like transition to Paradise,
the new life Of the honor squad. Not
man among them worked as did
AA. He became the director of the
public work under construction
Once Nina visited the carap. For
the first time in three yearsths happy
lovers were allowed to ST apsS.. by
themselves under a tree and dIscnss,
their hopes, their plans for ths ,n,rra
their imperishable love.
And then, Of the end 1, two months
there came terribls b,ow 10 ~.
trustful Nina, a viva shocs ~ ths
deputy warden; Al Nos m,s,,n@
had disappeared rom ,ha oonn,s.
camp. w '''
Not word Wis heard concerning
tne Fugitive for over a month. One
, nisn' q man appeared at the great
iron gate Of ths prison and asked for
the deputy warden. As the latter an
peareu' tne enveloping cloak and hat
wo.e 'hrust aside. Pale, emaciated,
'" .r S'oou revealed-Convict 4444.
iou-ypup fairly shouted the as
founded aeputy, in amazement, and
.len 'he clear ring of Joy and relief
In his Startled tones.
les; It is l." responded Moody.
~eaAi II have come back at the
nrs. moment Of my liberty"
Why, you ran away"
tlever. l was drugged while I
siet In the convict camp, carried
way and locked up In the hands of
ehemies, beaten and half starved until
his very day"
"Enemies-you mean-f
THE man who sent me to the psni.
l..utiary-Ariel Hodges and his accom-
pn1s See, some papers l got hold of
"ns p escaped. They are written In
qctions of Hodges to his confed-
crates. They outline his plans"
fhe documents did Just that. The
Prison rang with cheers Of delight
Y Zen It was known that 4444 had not
'strayed his trust and doomed the fu-
uI Y of the honor squad movement.
At once the energetic deputy war
len placed the case before the gov
|rn0L. ~ tha sfnte with All ita details.