the twin hells(两个地狱)-第54章
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Bradbury and confidentially told him that he had committed the offense；
and asked him to notify the authorities of Kansas。 This was done and a
pardon was granted Ellis that he might be taken to Kansas and tried for
murder。 No doubt； Ellis' motive in stating that he was guilty of this offense
was to get out of the penitentiary。 He supposed that after getting pardoned
out of the Missouri prison； he would have no trouble in proving an alibi in
the Kansas murder case； and in this way go free。 He was taken to Kansas；
tried； and failed to establish his alibi； and was found guilty of murder and
sentenced to the penitentiary for life。 If Ellis was guilty of murder； he
surely would not have told on himself and exchanged a two years'
sentence in the Missouri prison for a life sentence in the Kansas
penitentiary。 He is； no doubt； innocent of this crime； but should serve a
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THE TWIN HELLS
few years in the Kansas institution because of his smartness。
THE SUICIDE
A young man by the name of John Welch was sent from Stoddard
County for an heinous offense； under a sentence of ten years。 His family
were among the best people of that county； and highly respected。 John
proved to be a black lamb of the flock。 He had not been in prison but a few
weeks when he got enough of that kind of living； and； being unable to
have his resignation accepted； he concluded to end his career by
committing suicide。 It was on a beautiful Sunday morning； and the
prisoners having been to religious services； were on their way back to their
cells to spend the rest of the day in solitude。 The chapel where the services
were held is in the third story of a large brick structure。 An iron stairway is
attached to the wall on the outside of the building。 It was down this
stairway the convicts were marching； one behind the other； when John；
stepping out of the door on to the stairway； instead of following his
comrades down and into his cell； as he had done on former occasions；
leaped out into space and fell to the ground。 When he was picked up； life
was extinct。 He received his pardon that day； but gave his life as the
ransom。 No one can imagine how much this youth suffered before he
brought himself to that point when he decided to make that leap into
eternity。
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THE TWIN HELLS
CHAPTER XX
THE EX…CONVICT
Heavy are the burdens which men in prison must bear。 They are
deprived of liberty； separated from friends； no social intercourse； and
constantly maintaining an unnatural position。 The convict's place is lower
than the most degraded menial； he must ask for permission even to get a
drink of water。 No serf of earth； no slave； however wretched； has a sadder
lot。 These unhappy mortals have yielded to temptation； have fallen； and
are paying the penalty of violated law。 Who can think of these degraded
beings； without； to some extent； its calling forth the sympathy of the
human heart； for we must not forget that they； too； are children of one
universal Father。 However deplorable the condition of these men while in
prison； is it much better when they regain their freedom？
One morning about a month after my release from prison； as I was
getting ready for breakfast； there came a knock at the door。 Opening it I
saw a young mana trampwho begged for something to eat。 I recognized
him immediately as a former fellow…convict。 He had forgotten me。 It has
always been a rule in my home； when any one came to my door hungry； he
should have something to eat。 At times； adhering to this practice has
almost converted my home into a hotel for tramps。 I invited this young
man in； and requested him to take a seat with me at the table。 He did not
wait for a second invitation。 He was very hungry。 During the meal I
inquired as to his past history。 He gave me the same old tramp 〃racket。〃 I
had listened to the same story many times。 After breakfast was over I
asked him if he would have a cigar。 With a smile； he said； if I would
furnish the cigar； he would be pleased to indulge。 I invited him into
another room； closed the door and locked it。 The turning of the key rather
took him by surprise。 I reached out my hand to him； and said： 〃Charley D…
…； don't you know me？ Don't you remember the man who worked with
you for a couple of weeks in the penitentiary coal mines； room No。 3？
Have you forgotten the last day we worked together； when a large piece of
slate fell upon your leg； and I had to assist you in reaching the foot of the
shaft as you were being conveyed to the hospital？〃
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〃My God！ Reynolds； is this you？〃 he exclaimed。 〃I would never have
known you in your pleasant surroundings。 Had I met you in the
penitentiary coal mines； dressed in prison stripes； your face and hands
covered with coal dust； I would have recognized you。〃
I gave him his much coveted cigar and invited him to a chair。 I was
anxious to learn his history since be left the prison。 He had regained his
liberty almost one year before I was released。
After he had reached the quiet contentment which is the inevitable
result of a well appreciated breakfast and a good cigar； I said to him：
〃Charley； just drop your tramp story and tell me your true history since
leaving the prison。 I am anxious to know just what an ex…convict must
meet。〃
This young fellow was twenty…five years of age。 He served five years
in the penitentiary for stealing horses。 He had an inferior education； and
might be considered an average ex…convict。 His narrative will show what
the great majority of these men are called upon to endure。
His story revealed the fact that when he left the penitentiary he had
thirteen dollars in money and a suit of inferior clothes； such as is furnished
the prisoner when discharged。 Having been closely confined for five years；
without even a newspaper to read； with but few visitors； he was entirely
ignorant of what had occurred during his period of incarceration。 His
parents had been dead for several years； and he had no friends to whom he
could apply for aid。 The large iron doors swung upon their hinges； and he
went forth a free but bewildered man。 He had liberty； it is true； but liberty
replete with such trials as awaited this young man is certainly little better
than prison confinement。 Passing under the big stone archway； and out
beyond the prison enclosure； he paused for a few moments upon the little
eminence on which the prison stands； and viewed the surrounding country；
not knowing what to do or where to go。 Finally he takes the p
