The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-10
10 From The Death Cell

voice again. what is your first
name?"
John" 1 told him.
I'll call you that then" said he.
And what day are you to face the
music, John?"
June PAL answered. And If
you're in like situation. what day
are you supposed to go?'
June Just is days ahead of
you; time enough for me to arrive
and get acquainted before you come.
hi" And again he laughed-that
time so loudly that feared the noise
might be against the rules.
We're allowed to talk this way,
are we?" l inquired.
The Death watch.
Sure thing-but we can't sing"
Il don't think I'll care to sing"
remarked.
ooh, yes. you will-you'n get used
to 1t here" he assured me, and
you'll feel about the same as people
do any other place"
/ doubted that. but made no an
swer.
IF we're to be neighbors. what am
to call your" I asked.
Dutch Charley, or Charley-or just
Dutch"
Tell me what that fellow is doing
away at the other end of the build
ing there in a chair"
l spoke so the man inquired about
could not hear me.
ooh, he's helpin' to sit up with
Frank durin' his last days of sorrow"
Franks case?"
Frank Flowers, from down in the
city?" I asked
"Yes-he got tired of havin his old
lady around. Well, he's to take his
journey next Friday, and that guy in
the chair is one of the death watch"
l remembered having read of the
case. A probably insane barber had
shot his wife to death as she lay
asleep.
rs he to be shot?" I asked in
lower tone still.
Sure thing-and We'll have the JOY
of hearin' the rifles" answered Char
ley.
: Can we hear them?" I asked.
>"Why, of course, we can-unless
we stop our ears. I've been on this
tier for nearly two years. and I've
heard the rifles for three of them"
VIII Grow H g g 70 2 1t,
rs that so-and how did it make
you feel?"
He laughed again-but the laugh
was forced.
We'll, I don't feel much either
way" Charley explained. I've been
around here SO long that there's not
much feeling left"
1 knew even that there was some
truth in the idea of experience along
certain lines begeeting lack of
feeling. When first l had seen blood
shed, my feelings had been terribly
ruffled; but after some months
where it was common-particula
enemy's country-I was by no
means so sensitive.
Dutch Charley had begun to pace
back and forth in his cell. l hap
pened to know that his case had
gone through all the courts. And I
wondered what his thoughts could
be Just then. With all hope gone
save that very last-an appeal to the
governor and pardon board-what
could the man four doors away be
thinking? He, being nearer to where
that silent death watch was sitting
in front of the other poor wretch's
cell, could see in that direction bet
ter than I. Could Dutch Charley's
carry him far enough to
cause him to see himself there in
that death cell rather than Frank
Flowers?
Whether or not, however, the man
next to me on that terrible row was
able to picture himself in the place
then occupied by Flowers, it was
then common knowledge that all
hope SO far as the latter was con-
cerned had been abandoned The
case had not been appealed to the
board of pardons-Flower himself,
a sure sign of his insanity, l think,
had opposed such action-and the ri
files would bark out for him at lit
tie after 10 the following Friday
IN he ha iply
ing? If the man had even a wreck
of a mind, what were the thoughts
of it dwelling uron just then? And
If, despite his most unusually helm
Gus crime, his mind was normal.
what in that event could his Thoughts
be. with less than 70 hours to live?
And If an appeal to higher
court should fail, and If then par
don board should refuse to interfere
was 1, too, to sit back inside that
death chamber, while silent and
careless appearing uniformed man
sat out in front of it?
Two Steps. A Turn, Two Steps.
l choked. Had there been no doors
between me and the outside world, l
should have rushed from that hell.
But perhaps l should not so much
as glimpse any of the joyous things
of life-not even a ray of sunshine
until the day I was led out to die.
Two steps, very short step, then
a turn; two steps, very short step,
then a turn.
Ny thoughts turned again to Dutch
Charley He had been in that cell
for two years. How was it possible
to retain even a semblance of san
ity? His voice sounded strong, but
there was a strained note. Why did
Charley wish to appear cheerful?
Had his time there taught him the
value of heerfulness-even If Vt
were feigned and forced? No doubt.
in the hope of learning everything
possible that might have some bear
ing upon my welfare.
The thought of other prisoners had
scarcely entered my mind. when l
heard the tapping of gong in the
distance; and then straightway came
another sound-a sound that 1 had
heard when held at the state prison
for safe keeping prior to trial-the
clug, clug, clug. of the lock-step.
A white aproned and white-capped
fellow came shuffling along carrying
a tray, while behind him walked a
guard.
Are you ready for dinner. Kane?"
the officer inquired.
Tn not particularly hungry 1
answered.
We'll here it is anyway"-and he
quickly removed the large paddock
and opened the door-"just put these
dishes, out on your bench there
o o o
"Don't Sleep BY Da!:"
The tray-bearer held the end OF
the tray through the doorway and l
began to unload the dishes. There
were roast pork, apple sauce fine
white bread a small pot of coffee,
glass of milk, a cut of lemon pie and
a cigarette. I perhaps showed my
surprise.
you'll be pretty we'll fed now
that's the practice" the guard told
me- "The cigarette isn't a regular
part of it, Jack $, the chieI
clerk"-meaning the fellow that had
accompanied me in from the front
Offices slipped that one from MS
case and sent it in to you