Part 48 (1/2)

”You can't have th' cup,” the Deputy fumes

”I won't drink out of your hand, God damn you Think I'ely

The doors are slarow faint, and all is silent, save the quickened footfall of Smith, ill not talk to any prisoner

I pass the long night in drowsy stupor, rousing at times to strainwhether day is breaking Theof the keys tingles in uards hand me the day's allowance--two ounces of white bread and a quart of water The wheat tastes sweet; it see so delectable But the liquid is insipid, and nauseates me At almost one bite I s the slice, so small and thin

It whets ry

At S is repeated The Deputy insists that the uard The prisoner refuses, with a profuse flow of profanity Suddenly there is a splash, followed by a startled cry, and the thud of the cell bucket on the floor Smith has emptied the contents of his privy upon the officers In confusion they rush out of the dungeon

Presently I hear the clatter of many feet in the cellar There is a hubbub of suppressed voices I recognize the rasping whisper of Hopkins, the tones of Woods, McIlvaine, and others I catch the words, ”Both sides at once” Several cells in the dungeon are provided with double entrances, front and back, to facilitate attacks upon obstreperous prisoners Sned to one of these cells I shudder as I realize that the officers are preparing to club the demented man He has been weakened by years of unbroken solitary confinement, and his throat still bleeds occasionally from the bullet wound Aleon, and now he has been e twelve days It is Involuntarily I shut my eyes at the fearful thud of the riot clubs

The hours drag on Theanother prisoner to the dungeon I hear his violent sobbing from the depth of the cavern

”Who is there?” I hail hi an answer Perhaps the new arrival is afraid of listening guards

”Ho, one Who are you? This is Aleck, Aleck Berkman”

”Is that you, Aleck? This is Johnny” There is a fa voice, broken by piteous moans But I fail to identify it

”What Johnny?”

”Johnny Davis--you know--stocking shop I've just--killed a man”

In bewilder

Johnny had returned to the shop; he thought he would try again: he wanted to earn his ”good” tis ell for a while, till ”Dutch” Adaot Grant and Johnny Smith in trouble with the fake key, and Davis would have nothing to do with hi him all the time; and then--

”Well, you know, Aleck,” the boy seems diffident, ”he lied about me like hell: he told the fellows he _used_ ht hear about it! I couldn't stand it, Aleck; honest to God, I couldn't I--I killed the lying cur, an' no I'll--I'll swing for it,” he sobs as if his heart would break

A touch of tenderness for the poor boy is in my voice, as I strive to condole with him and utter the hope that it may not be so bad, after all Perhaps Ada; he rows ation and local affairs Perhaps the Board will even clear hiests But suddenly seized with fear, he weeps and eon They bring news fro seems to have broken out in the wake of recent orders The total inhibition of talking is resulting inupon his trouble ”You see, fellers,” he cries in a treble, ”dat skunk of a Pete he pushes ive 'im hell, but de screw pipes me Got no chance t' choo, so I turns an' biffs him on de jaw, see?” But he is sure, he says, to be let out at night, or in the , at most ”Theo to de hole

Dey jest put 'eht”

Johnny interrupts the loquacious boy to inquire anxiously about ”Dutch”

Ada that the man's wound is not serious He was cut about the shoulders, but was able to walk unassisted to the hospital Johnny overfloith quiet happiness; the others dance and sing I recite a poem from Nekrassov; the boys don't understand a word, but the sorrow-laden tones appeal to them, and they request more Russian ”pieces” But To with the latest news froreat aduy fer you, fellers; owns de whole Keystone shebang all right, all right He's Boss Quay, you bet you” He dives into national issues, rails at Bryan, ”16 to 1 Bill, you jest list'n to 'ive sixteen dollars to every one; he will, nit!”

and the boys are soon involved in a heated discussion of the respectivewith the Republican ”Me gran'fader and me fader was Republicans,” he vociferates, ”an' all me broders vote de ticket Me fer de Gran' Ole Party, ev'ry ti the boy to explain the difference in the money standards

Tommy boldly appeals to me to corroborate him; but before I have an opportunity to speak, he launches upon other issues, berating Spain for her atrocities in Cuba, and insisting that this free country cannot tolerate slavery at its doors Every topic is discussed, with To new subjects

Unexpectedly he reverts to local affairs, waxes reminiscent over forreat feeds” he enjoyed on the rare occasions when he was free to roam the back streets of Smoky City