Part 54 (1/2)
”Good ood to-day?”
”Thank you; pretty fair” My voice tre
He passes me, and I feel sick with disappointment Now he pauses
”Aleck,” he calls, ”I mislaid a letter for you yesterday Here it is”
With shaking hand I unfold the sheet In a fever of hope and fear, I pore over it in the solitude of the cell My heart palpitates violently as I scan each word and letter, seeking hiddenevery flourish and dash, carefully distilling the nificant dots into the structure ofStreet--alate of the south wall Funds are on hand, work is to begin at once!
With nirance to s me nearer to liberty: the faithful coround Perhaps within a month, or two atoff eachthe date on : the work is progressing srow merry at the efforts of uninitiated friends in New York to carry out the suggestions of the attorneys to apply to the Superior Court of the State for a writ, on the ground of the unconstitutionality of an upon the advisability of the step, the a me the opportunity of an extra allowance of letter paper I thank e the necessity of collecting funds for the appeal to the upper court Repeatedly I ask the advice of the Chaplain in the legal matter, confident that my apparent enthusiasm will reach the ears of the Warden: the artifice will mask my secret project and lull suspicion My official letters breathe assurance of success, and with uine expectation of release I discuss the subject with officers and stools, till presently the prison is agog with the prospective liberation of its fourth oldest ines to friends, and the Deputy Warden offers advice on behavior beyond the walls The moment is propitious for a bold stroke Confined to the cell-house, I shall be unable to reach the tunnel The privilege of the yard is ied birdies frequently fall from their nests, and I induce the kindly runner, ”Southside” Johnny, to procure for s I christen the little orphans dick and Sis, and theinmates and officers Old Mitchell is in ecstasy over the intelligence and adaptability of uish and waste in the close air of the block; they need sunshi+ne and gravel, and the dusty street to bathe in
Gradually I enlist the sympathies of the new doctor by the curious performances of my pets One day the Warden strolls in, and joins in admiration of the wonderful birds
”Who trained them?” he inquires
”This ht frown flits over the Warden's face Old Mitchell winks at ly
”Captain,” I approach the Warden, ”the birds are sickly for lack of air
Will you per in the yard?”
”Why don't you let theo? You have no permission to keep them”
”Oh, it would be a pity to throw them out,” the doctor intercedes ”They are too tame to take care of themselves”
”Well, then,” the Warden decides, ”let Jasper take theo with any one except myself,” I inform him ”They follow me everywhere”
The Warden hesitates
”Why not let Berkests ”I hear you expect to be free soon,” he remarks to me casually ”Your case is up for revision?”
”Yes”
”Well, Berkman,” the Warden motions to me, ”I will per is done What tih with it?”
”At 930 A M”
”Mr Mitchell, every h the doors For tento reenhouse; there is plenty of sand there If you cross the dead line of the sidewalk, or exceed your tile minute, you will be punished”
CHAPTER xxxVI
THE UNDERGROUND
May 10, 1900