Part 8 (1/2)
CHAPTER XV.
A VERY BAD CASE--A SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST--A CLERGYMAN ALSO A CONVICT--THE CLERGYMAN IS TAUGHT TAILORING--HOW WE PUNISH VIOLATION OF THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT AND THE EIGHTH.
On one occasion during my second sojourn in hospital, my attention was accidentally directed to a pale, sickly-looking young man, who had just arrived with a number of other prisoners from Millbank, and whose appearance and manner so unmistakably betrayed the genus to which he belonged that I decided to avail myself of the first opportunity which presented itself of learning his history. It so happened that he was located in the next bed to mine, and I had thus no difficulty in finding an occasion to gratify my curiosity, and the following dialogue took place on the first day of his arrival.
”Well, what news have you brought from Millbank?”
”Oh, nothing particular; the prison's full, and a good many back on their ticket.”
”How long have you done?”
”Nine months.”
”What's your sentence?”
”Seven years.”
”Have you done your separates in the 'bank?”
”No; in the country--down in Somerset.”
”What sort of treatment did you get?”
”Wretched! They are making it very hot now, and I got 'bashed' as well.”
”The flogging has made your health bad, I suppose?”
”Yes, it made me spit up ever so much blood.”
”Were you ever flogged before?”
”Yes, twice.”
”Twice! Why, how old are you?”
”Twenty-three, and I have done two 'leggings,' and this is my third, besides short bits in the county jails.”
”During your first 'legging' I suppose you had been among the boys at the Isle of Wight?”
”Yes.”
”I think most of the Isle of Wight boys get into prison again? I have seen a great many now who did their first bit there.”
”Well, a good many of them went on the cross.”
”You belong to London, I suppose?”
”Yes.”