the twin hells(两个地狱)-第46节
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highly esteemed by the lady and gentleman who adopted him。 He was
honest and industrious。 It was on election day that his down…fall took place。
In company with several young men； who resided on neighboring farms；
he went to a small town near by to pass the day。 Being invited to
participate in a game of cards； he and several of his companions found
their way into the back part of a saloon； where the day was spent in
drinking and gambling。 Toward evening a dispute arose about the cards； a
drunken fight was the result。 Bagan； half crazed with drink； drew his knife
and stabbed to the death one of his companions。 The young man whom he
murdered； prior to this had been one of his best friends。 When he saw the
life…blood of his companion ebb away； he came to his senses； and was
soon sober。 He wept like a child when he saw his friend sinking away into；
the arms of death。 The awful deed was done； and nothing was left to the
unfortunate youth but to be led away to prison； with the blood of a human
being upon his garments。 In due time he had his trial； and was sent to the
penitentiary for thirty years。 He was twenty…two years of age when he
received the sentence。 He has now been in the prison thirteen years。 For
seven years he worked in the saddle…tree shop for Sullivan； Hayes & Co。；
prison contractors。 At the end of that time his health failing； he refused to
work。 The prison authorities thought he was trying to shirk his work。 After
being severely flogged； he was placed in the dungeon and kept there in
solitary confinement for three months。 Half dead； he was taken to the
hospital and left in the hands of the prison physician。 For a time it was
thought he would die。 After a while he began to recover； large patches of
hair fell from his scalp； leaving his head thickly covered with bald spots。
When he entered the prison he was a fine…appearing young man； but
thirteen years of imprisonment have converted him into a broken…down
old man and physical wreck。 That was a sad day for that unfortunate youth
when he entered the saloon to take part in the game of cards。 He will not
live to the end of his sentence； but will die in the penitentiary； and find his
last； long home in the prison grave…yard。 Young man； as you read the
history of this convict； can you not persuade yourself to let whisky and
cards alone for the future？
BILL RYAN
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Passing through the cell houses； I was shown the room occupied by the
notorious Bill Ryan for seven years。 He was a member of the James boys'
gang。 Being convicted of highway robbery he was sent to the prison for
twenty years。 After Jesse James had been killed by young Ford； and
Frank's crimes had been pardoned； Ryan's sentence was commuted to ten
years； and after serving seven he regained his liberty。
Ryan was accredited with being one of the best prisoners in the
penitentiary。 On the outside； if reports be true； he was one of the most
desperate men in Missouri。 His time was spent in drinking； gambling；
quarreling； fighting and killing。 He is charged with killing a number of
men。 He was twice tried for murder； but proving an alibi； the jury brought
in a verdict of 〃not guilty。〃 The prison officials speak in the highest terms
of his conduct while an inmate of the penitentiary。 He was an obedient and
hard…working convict。 Now that he is once more a free man it is to be
hoped that he will show himself as good a citizen on the outside； as he was
on the inside； of prison walls。
WILLIE HILDRUM
This youthful convict is but sixteen years of age。 He is the youngest
prisoner in the penitentiary。 He was formerly a boot…black on the streets of
St。 Louis。 Getting into a fight one day with one of his boot…black
companions over a nickel that they had jointly earned 〃shining up〃 a
patron's boots； young Hildrum drew an old knife from his pocket； which
he had found a few days before； and sent the rusty blade into the heart of
the street Arab。 The youthful murderer was tried and convicted of
manslaughter； and on account of his youth was given but two years in the
penitentiary。
S。 D。 HENSON
This convict was at one time county judge of Stoddard County； and
highly respected。 He is one of the finest appearing men I ever saw。 His
finely shaped head bespeaks intelligence。 It is sad to see such grand
looking specimens dressed in the garb of disgrace。 Judge Henson became
involved in a quarrel with one of his neighbors over some trivial matter；
and killed him。 His sentence is for twenty years； which for him at this
advanced age means death in the prison。 Great efforts are being put forth
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for his pardon； but it is a question left entirely with the governor； and no
one can tell how he may act。
Judge Henson is not at heart a criminal。 On that open countenance
there is no mark of Cain。 Thinking of his sad case； more than ever am I
convinced that we are creatures of circumstances。 How many of my
readers； had they in the past； been surrounded by the same circumstances；
subject to the same temptations； would not have acted in the same manner；
and like judge Henson found a home in a convict's cell。
FORTY…EIGHT YEARS A PRISONER
John Hicks is the veteran penitentiary convict of the United States。
Under an alias he served one term in the Missouri penitentiary。 Most of his
time has been spent in prisons further east。 He is now eighty…four years of
age； and quite recently was released from the Michigan City penitentiary。
Prison authorities have compared notes and find that he has actually
served forty…eight years of prison life。 He is the oldest living criminal in
this country。 He has served ten terms； the greater portion of them being in
Indiana。 His first crime was committed in 1839。 In some way he learned
that a man named Bearder had 360 in his house。 While the family were at
church Hicks rifled the house and stole their money。 A marked coin led to
his conviction； and he got a three years' sentence。 He was never； afterward；
out six months at a time； and was sent up successively for burglary；
criminal assault； robbery； larceny； cattle…stealing and horse…stealing。 At the
expiration of his fifth term； at Michigan City； he made his way to the
office； where the directors were in session。 He begged them to allow him
to build a shanty in a part of the prison in which he could sleep and call his
home。 All that he asked was that the scraps from the table be given him for
food。 The board refused to allow him this； and Hicks bade them good…by。
He walked to a small town near by； where he soon was arrested for
thieving； and was taken to prison to serve what he declared to be his last
term。 His head is as white as snow； and in keeping with his long； flowing
beard； and he looks like a patriarch； yet is not stooped a particle。 His
desire now is to secure honest work； that will guarantee him a home。 He
wishes to spend the rest of his days a free man。 Had this man been assisted
just a little at the expiration of his first term； he might have become a
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useful citizen； but as it was； his life was spent behind the bars。 When once
the feet find themselves walking in the pathway of crime； it is very
difficult for them ever to walk in paths of honesty and uprightness
thereafter。
NINE TIMES
As I was walking through the penitentia
