the twin hells(两个地狱)-第11节
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wanderer is forgotten of his God？
What a glorious privilege is communion with God。 What a sweet
consolation to know God hears； though we may be far removed from the
dear ones we love。 And who can tell the glorious things that have been
wrought by the wonderful Father of the race by that strong lever of prayer。
How often has the rough ways of life been made smooth。 How often do
we fail to credit the same to the kind intercession of friends with the
Father of us all。
But to continue； it often happens that in the coal mines； persons； no
longer able to sustain the heavy load that is placed upon them of
remaining in prison for a long time； give way； and they become raving
maniacs。 One day a prisoner left his room； and crawling out on his hands
and knees into the entry； sat down on a pile of coal and commenced to sing。
He had a melodious voice； and these were the words； the first stanza of
that beautiful hymn：
〃Jesus； lover of my soul； Let me to Thy bosom fly。〃
After he had completed the first stanza two of the officers came to him
and directed him to go back into the room to work。 He replied that he did
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not have to work； that he had religion； and that when a man had religion
he did not have to work。 Said he； 〃We are now going to have a prayer
meeting； and〃 addressing one of the officers； 〃you you will please lead us
in prayer。〃 The officer replied； 〃I don't pray in coal mines； I pray above the
surface so that God can hear。〃 At this the insane convict picked up a large
piece of coal and was going to hurl it after him； and threatened that if he
did not get on his knees and go to praying he would compel him to do so。
While he was thus addressing one officer the other slipped around in his
rear and striking his arm knocked the piece of coal out of his hand。 Then
the officers seized him； one on each side； and forced him to go with them
down the roadways to the shaft； from whence he was taken to the top and
placed in the insane ward； where he remains at this writing。 As he was
passing down the entries； away in the distance we heard him singing
〃Other refuge have I none； Hangs my helpless soul on Thee。
Leave； oh leave me not alone； Still support and comfort me。〃
I can never forget the impression made upon me as those words rang
down through the dark passages； coming from the lips of that insane
convict as they led him away from the confinement of the mines to the
confinement of insanity。 How true those beautiful words were in his case！
THE COAL MINES A COLLEGE OF INFAMY
The mines of this Penal institution are a college for the education and
graduation of hardened criminals； and for illustration； and the instruction
of those not familiar with the subject matter referred to； I will relate what
came under my personal observation； and some things that I heard while
in there。 One day； in company with me while engaged in mining； were two
other convicts。 One of these was a hardened old crook。 He was serving out
a term on the charge of making and passing counterfeit money。 The other
fellow…convict was a young man seventeen years of agea mere boy。 Tired
of mining； we laid off awhile； resting。 During this time the old convict
gave us instructions in the manner of making counterfeit money。 He told
us how he would construct his counterfeit molds out of plaster paris；
which he would use in the same manner that bullet molds are used。 He
would purchase some britannica metal。 On some dark night he would go
into the forest； build up a fire； melt the metal； pour the melted liquor into
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the molds； and in this manner make silver dollars。 He informed us that it
didn't take very long to make a hatful of money。 A few days thereafter this
young man； who was with us in the room at the time； informed me that
when he went out again into the world； if he was unable to secure work； he
would try his hand at making counterfeit money。 I advised him not to do
this； as it was almost a certainty that he would be detected。 He thought
differently。 About a month thereafter he was released from the prison。 He
went out into the world； and； unable to obtain work； DID try his hand at
making counterfeit money。 Shortly before my time expired here came this
young man to prison again； with a sentence of three years at hard labor for
making and passing counterfeit money。 He had received his criminal
instruction in the penitentiary mines； the result of which will be that he
will spend the greater portion of his life a convict。
There are a great many instances where these young convicts； having
received their education in the coal mines； go into the world to become
hardened criminals。 Down in this school of crime； in the midst of the
darkness； they learn how to make burglary tools； to crack safes； and to
become expert as pickpockets； they take lessons in confidence games； and
when their time expires they are prepared for a successful career of crime。
It is utterly impossible for the officers of the coal mines to prevent these
men from conversing with each other。 If these mines were sold； and the
money obtained from the sale of them was used in building workhouses on
the surface； and these men placed at work there under the watchful care of
the official； they would then be unable to communicate with each other；
and would be saved from the debasing contamination of the hardened
criminals。 They would be saved from all this that degrades and makes
heartless wretches。
A scene occurred in the mines one day that illustrates the fact that
judges sometimes； in their anxiety to enforce the laws； overstep the
bounds of justice； and inflict excessive punishment and place burdens
upon human beings which they are unable to bear。 One afternoon in the
city of Emporia ten tramps were arrested and thrown into the county jail。
During the succeeding night one of these persons thrust a poker into the
stove； and heating it red hot； made an effort to push the hot iron through
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the door； thus burning a large hole in the door…casing。 The next morning
the sheriff； entering the jail； perceiving what this vagrant had done； was
displeased； and tried to ascertain which one of the ten was guilty of the
offense。 The comrades of the guilty party refused to disclose the
perpetrator of the act。 Court was then in session。 The sheriff had these ten
fellows brought into court； hoping that when placed upon the witness
stand； under oath； they would tell which had committed the offense。 Even
in court they were true to each other； and would not reveal the perpetrator。
They were then all convicted； and the judge passed a sentence of ten years
upon each of these vagrants for that trivial offense。 They came to the
penitentiary。 The day after their arrival they were all sent to the coal mines。
For two years they worked day after day down in the Kansas bastile。 One
morning； after they had been in the mines for two years； one of the number；
at the breakfast table in the dining…room； unperceived secreted a knife in
his clothing and carried it with him down to his place of work。 He went
into his little room and began the labors of the day。 After toiling for a few
hours he took a stone and sharpened his knife the best he possibly could；
then stepped out into the entry where he could stand erect； and with his
head thrown back drew that knife across his throat； cutting it from ear to
ear； thus terminating his life； preferring death to longer remaining in the
mines of the Kansas Hell！ Who is there that is not convinced of the fact
that the blood of this suicide stains the garments of the judge who placed
this unbearable burden of ten years upon this young man； and who； I
subsequently learned； was innocent of the offense。 I would advise
