The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22
By John w. Kane

ground carefully for my next at l tempt at securing liberty.
 Of all things for which I was thankful, the main thing was that my aged parents, both of whom were | still living back at the cid Missouri home, knew nothing about my at tempt at getting free. With them hope deferred, the hope of seeing me again in this life, had often made their hearts sick.
 I Have . Vision.
 l knew well that, even though the shadows for them were growing long they were sustained chiefly by the hope of seeing me once more. And it was due to my thoughts of them that enc night in February of 1919 l arrived at decision that was as inspiring to me as 1t might have seemed strange to others. Far into the night 1 lay thinking over what l had decided to attempt. At lengt!. the morning came. I went to the warden's office.
 As was my custom. one that I had early found suited the head of the place best, went in quietly and did not speak to him. He read his mail for a few minutes while l busted ny sell WllH liIlnB away SOlIle uHiil- portant papers; then suddenly he locked up.
 "Well, MT. Man" he inquired, did you sleep all right last night?"
 T did not"
 What was the trouble with you?"
 "No trouble; 1t was happiness that kept me awake"
 He leaned back in his chair and surveyed me inquiringly. Have you just made bunch of money or been married--or something?"
 told him: T was happy because I put in most of the night living out dream-hope of mine And If you feel just right for hearing it-and if the work isn't too presslng-I'd like to tell you what that dream-hope is"
 His eyes took on that well-known humorous sparkle as he fumbled for another cigar
 "Say."--he struck the match and glanced toward me, then with a few long pulls at the cigar had it ip full blast-"haven't you been with me long enough to know that I'll quit work any time to hear dream?" A Visit Home.
 "So would Long Bill Bowling, whom 1 used to know back in Mis- souri," I told him, happy in the thought that I had found him in that kind of frame of mind. Only Long Bill would quit work and get out under a tree and have few dreams himself--regular sleep dreams at that"
 Long Bill must have been true philosopher" he remarked. But let's hear the whatever-you-c call it."
 "I'll be brief. warden"-I cast aside all levity-"and I hope that you'll alI hrn that you'll then see fit to give the matter your usual careful thought. All the way from the beginning up to the present, my case has been different from most others of It's kind. I don't believe that 1ifer has ever before done a warden's secre- tarial work. But I'd like to have an opportunity to do something still more unusual for a life prisoner. 1 would like to take a step that will prove that the judgment of you and others relating to me is sound-and step that would also simply cinch my re- lease from here whenever l try again. My old mother is very i'll. Could be permitted to go back home on brief visit?
 Pledge Of Honor.
 "As matter of plain truth, you felt at the beginning so sure or my loyalty and common sense that when you gave me the liberty of this whole reservation at all hours, you dld no. even have me to pledge you my word of honor that l would not leave here. But now I'll pledge you my word that if you'll set the day for me to be back here, just so surely as the trains run and I'm alive and in my right mind, I'll return here on that very day"
 va at each other. Then he held out his cigar over the ash tray, Tipped It with a powerful finger, and replied slowly:
 Jack, I'll tell you in a few words what I think about 1t. I'm not only willing that you should make the trip, but I'm willing to do every thing in my power to see thal sou do make It."
 CHAPTER A
 If was A Tuesday morning when laid my plan before the Warueh. Wednesday evening there came rap at my door and the Wardeh ch"u feur walked in. ...
 %Say. Jack" he addressed me, the warden wants you In tho office, ana if you don't mind. I'd like to use your machine to write a letter.
 "Go to it-there she is. l poln9ea toward the IypeWTlteI NhiSh ii'~N brought up from below.
 We'll" the warden went straight to the point. I've been up at the state house since the middle or the afternoon. And you're to make the trip. When can you be ready 10 start?"
 q calculated rapidly. Tomorrow afternoon" .,,,
 "Goodv' he returned. And will you have everything for making the trip right? 1 mean all the right klnd of clothes travelling apparatus ana the like"
 q can have it by then"
 "Then I'll drive you to the station myself, and perhaps it would be well for the people around here to believe that you're going down to the road camp to check up on the commlssary' or something of the kind"
 q understand"
 Very well. we'll let 1t go as 1t looks. But I want to tell you just what all was said down at the capitol building"
 He arose, and I. too.
 The Legal ob.t.cies.
 T took the matter up first with Justice Frewin." he began. "and then he and I went together to see the governor. What do you think about 1t. Justice Frewin?' the governor asked him, and the old judge an- swered. Well. the warden didn't have to convert me to his way of thinking: as soon as he told me that he was willing and desirouss for Kane to make the journey to his old home, and that he had faith in Kane's prom ise to IGturn. felt and believed about the matter exactly as he did and does Then the governor went on record: I myself believe said he. LNg11 at, hAr on a certain day, on that day we might expect him: but let's call the attorney general and get his opinion on the matter
 When Dan walked in the governor explained to him what our inn