The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22

of the long table around which the seven members of the pardon board were then sitting, l questioned men tally: Can it be possible that I am actually at the end of my imprison- ment at last?"
 CHAPTER 43
 For moment l sat there. awaiting their notice of me and also waiting for the words that would man either months or years more of detention or immediate freedom. The members of the board seemed to be discussing some point of fact as related to an other case on the, docket. At length perhaps the time seemed lN ger than 1t was-the governor, who, as chairman, was sitting at the other end of the long table, adjustd his glasss and looked at me. Then he turned to Justice Frewin on hls right the same man who had helped to defend me at my last trial-and said Tn moderately low voice that reached me:
 Justice Frewin, will You inform MT. Kane concerning the action of the board?"
 All eyes, including those of the warden and the clerk of the board . who were seated at d side table turned toward me.
 E n. who, though elderly, spoke in a clear, firm voice, your petition asking for parole or conditional release has been considered by the board and the gov ernor requests that I inform you of the boards decision. I believe that along With your petition as embodi ed in the filled-in application blank, you enclosed a brief communication to the board setting forth a hope on your part that your case may at this time be construed as coming within the scope and meaning of certain sec tons of the revised statutes, did you not?" 'N
 T did" was my answer. The Board Says No.
 "It would appear to the board. then,' the speaker proceeded, that your petition is not one looking to clemency other than that as allowed to you under the law touching such caSes as yours.''
 That is true. said I, when he paused, evidently waiting for me to speak.
 Tn that event then" he went on. the board finds itself unaS1e to place construction upon the law and the facts which would entitled you to release at this time; there Iore. Mr. Kane, for the present your fSNiSAcAA iS dtIitu.
 There was moment of silence. and l knew that every man preser. was Watching me narrowly in order to see what effect a denial after an long time in prison would have upon me. Whatever inward emotions might have had were, 1 think, kept well hidden. p' ask "' I questioned quietly.
 mat s all,' the in sfice
 arose then, but before passing out, said: T wish to thank the board Tor having considered and passed upon my application."
 NO one replied. Justice Frewin nodded slightly in recognition of my "1Tns ana | passed from the room.
 opslalrs in the silence of my own room sat down to think. My chief was due to having prayed and lost, even though l knew Tn reason that the losing was for the tune being only. With all the help or friends-in the way of letters, petitions, personal appeals and er- sonal apeals to the board--my long qeterred application for release had been flatly denied. My enemies Tor there was strong opposition to my release-had surely won that round. We'll, let them rejoice; it could. not be for long.
 How It Hit One Man.
 The warden and I held an hours conference that evening.
 We'll" he leaned back in his chair and questioned, how do you feel about it, Jack?"
 l answered truthfuuy, I'm not exactly bubbling over with joy"
 He laughed heartily. 3You're talk Ing 1t lot easier than some of those O0e-NeaT who ind There's s new man inside who hasn't been here yet five months, and be- cause his petition was just laid over until next month, he's rolling on the floor and bellowing."
 That ought to help some" I opined. How would 1t be to send for the board members, so they might witness his agony?"
 "Oh. that wouldn't do," returned the warden in like vein; "the mem bers of the board need sleep; and after seeing him. they wouldn't be able to sleep. But the poor fellow Is terribly disappointed" he con- cluded more seriously, "and I'm sorry for him."
 T am too--in a way" I returned; ; but he'd just as we'll learn along with the rest of us, that whoever violates the rules of the game will have a pay a forfeit"
 
 already know without my telling you that they denied you mostly because you lack few months of having the full Is years in"
 "Yes, l believe that, And they perhaps also had in mind the fact that denial at first might kind of appease the wrath of my op- ponents."
 Four Months To Wait.
 Well, you know as much about human nature no doubt as I do-- though I wouldn't like to go on record about that part. But the main thing is, if you can hold out little longer-how much longer is it till the 15 full years have been served?"
 "Next April-the 18th"
 -Four months isn't like 14 years and more. is it?"
 Indeed not" was my answer 'If q man has a 15-mile journey to walk. and If he gets over 14A miles. surely he ought to go the other quarter"
 In a pinch" chuckled the big hearted man, "he could crawl the rest Of the way-couldn't he?"
 "Yes-even with a broken leg"
 l, however, had no broken leg. felt as sure of winning that uphill game in the next and last inning as felt sure that the morrow's sun would rise.
 The sun did rise on the following morning, Sunday, and I put in the whole day and far into the night writing letters of explanation to my rriends over tFe country. Answers to these letters came. and each writer-may heavens richest bless ings come to each one!--pled ed anew full support and full faith in me. Then, as the winter days