the twin hells(两个地狱)-第35节
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Providence； there was for me a bright future。 With a determination to
succeed； that can never be satisfied short of success； I returned to my
home。 I concluded that instead of going to some distant place； among
strangers； it was best for me to return to the locality where all knew of my
misfortunes and the true causes that led to them。 On my arrival at the
depot I was met by a multitude of friends。 By the reception that was given
me no one； ignorant of the facts； would have for a moment imagined that I
had but a few hours before vacated the cell of a criminal。 I pen these lines
three months from the day when I began life anew； and during that time I
have met with no one so base as to 〃snub〃 a man； who； having met with
misfortune； is honestly endeavoring to regain what he lost。
Is there any hope for the ex…convict？ Is it possible for him to be
clothed in the garments of respectability who once has been attired in the
habiliments of disgrace？ Can he ever be a man among men who has for a
time been numbered with the debased of earth？ To these questions； with
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all the powers of my being； I answer； YES！ I do not know how the outlook
may appear to others who have met a similar misfortune； but as for myself
I can truthfully say I was never more hopeful in my life。 There may be
storms in the future； obstacles to meet and overcome； but self reliant； and
trusting in Him who observes the struggles even of the worm； I hope to
soon reach my proper place among men； and in the end reap the golden
harvest of success。 The world is full of kind…hearted people who are ready
to help those who； though unfortunate； are willing to help themselves。
Scores of men annually go out from the 〃Kansas Hell；〃 having paid the
penalties of their crimes； who are not so highly favored as myself； and
whose struggles will have to be greater than mine if they ever secure a
foothold of respectability in life。 In behalf of these in their efforts to
become better men I appeal to the great； loving heart of the true Kansan。
HELP THE FALLEN IN HIS STRUGGLES TO RISE AGAIN。
Since my return home； several times have I visited the grave of my
wife； and often on these occasions would the hot blood go surging through
my veins； and my baser nature would demand that I avenge the death of
her who was so heartlessly sent to an untimely grave。 A better judgment
has prevailed； and as I drop the tear of affection upon the grave of her who
is the mother of my children； I leave the wrongs of the past in the hands of
an avenging God。 May there fall upon those who were so kind to my
sorrowing family and myself while we were passing through the deep
waters； the radiant smiles of Him who says； 〃Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these； ye have done it unto me。〃
A MISSOURI HELL
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CHAPTER XIV
THE CONVICT'S HOME
〃Jefferson City is the next station；〃 called out the train man as the
Missouri Pacific rolled into the capital of the great commonwealth of
Missouri。 It was two o'clock in the morning。 From an easy reclining chair；
to an omnibus； and to a cozy room in the Madison House； was the work of
but a few moments。 It being rather an unseasonable hour to begin the
investigation of a large penal institution； I made a brief journey to the land
of dreams； and there remained until a noisy porter knocked at my bed…
room door； and shouted； 〃Nine o'clock； last call for breakfast； old man； if
you want any thing to eat you had better get a move on you。〃 Being of the
opinion this was rather a cheerful morning salutation； I arose； dressed； and
soon felt better because of a good breakfast。 I am now ready for my work…
…an investigation of the Missouri penitentiary。 Before leaving my home in
Atchison； Kansas； I procured a letter of introduction from Hon。 B。 P。
Waggener； mayor of that city； to Governor Francis of Missouri。 I found my
way to the capitol； and to the office of the governor。 After a brief delay I
was shown into the private apartment of the obliging executive； where I
presented my letter； stated the object of my visit； and received a letter to
the warden of the prison； containing a request that the bearer be shown
every thing there was to be seen in and about the penitentiary。
From the capitol to the prison is a walk of but a few minutes。 On my
way there I met a one…legged ex…convict who was just leaving the
institution。 His pale face； shoddy suit of clothes and light…colored felt hat
all spoke but too plainly of the fact that he was very recently 〃let loose；〃
Entering into conversation with him； I found that he had a few moments
before completed a term of five years at hard labor。 From him I gathered a
great deal of important information as to the treatment of the prisoners； of
which he had been an eye…witness for five years。 He also gave me his own
history。 In a saloon brawl； he became involved in a fight with a drunken
comrade； half…crazed with drink。 Pistols were drawn； and shots were
exchanged。 He received a bullet in his thigh； that caused the amputation of
his limb。 His antagonist was killed。 On a trial for murder he received a
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sentence for manslaughter。 Said he； 〃Whisky sent me to prison。 Had I not
been drunk I would never have taken the life of the man whom I shot。 He
had been； for years； a good friend of mine。 I will never take another drink
as long as I live。 It has been my ruin。〃 In the conversation he informed me
that he had left behind him； when sent to prison； a wife and three children。
During his confinement they had to depend for the most part on their
relatives and public charity for support。 On account of their poverty they
had not been able to visit him at any time during his imprisonment。 They
had continued to love him； notwithstanding his misfortune； had been true
to him during his days of bondage； and be was now anxious to reach his
home to meet them。 How true it is that the blow which falls upon the
culprit； and which justice intends for him alone； often falls with equal
force and effect upon wife； child or other helpless and dependent relative！
I asked him how be felt on recovering his liberty after being in prison for
five years。
〃Oh！〃 said he； 〃this is the happiest day of my life thus far； I never
knew the blessings of liberty as I do now。 I never saw the sun shine so
brightly before。 Everything about me seems so beautiful。 From this time I
will appreciate more than ever I have done； this beautiful world。 It almost
pays a man to be penned up for a time to enable him to appreciate what
there is in the world for him。 Behind the walls； however； banished from
the presence of loved ones； it is a veritable hell。 I cannot find a term that
expresses my views of a prison life that is more suitable than that word
hell。 Those long； dreary days of monotonous workthe same thing must
be gone over； day after day； the food we eat； the treatment to which we are
subjected； our loneliness and solitude； all combined； make prison life
almost unbearable。〃 〃Do you know；〃 I asked； 〃of any prisoners who are so
satisfied with their condition as to be willing to remain in the penitentiary；
did they have an opportunity of obtaining their liberty？〃 〃There is not a
person in that institution；〃 he replied； 〃who would not hail with joy his
release。 Some of them are physical wrecks； and would have to go to the
almshouse to be taken care of in case they should obtain their freedom； yet
they would prefer any place to that of a prison cell； deprived of their
freedom。 〃After spending more than an hour in conversation with this ex…
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