were his, for I had often seen
them on his feet in the prison; though they appeared much worse on a
near inspection than at a distance.

An aged prisoner, whose feet were large and lame, wore his shoes sandal
fashion, tying them on with such strings as he could find. When I would
ask him how he did, he usually replied, "Oh, lame and suffering terribly
with my feet." Having nothing but his stockings to protect them from the
cold, this must have been severe in winter, though, when in the shop,
his fellow prisoners would heat bits of plank and pass to him, on which
he could stand and thus be relieved in a measure. I asked him if he
could not wear his shoes in the usual way, to which he said, "No, they
are too small. Had I very large ones I could. I have asked for such, but
they will not obtain me any." The requisite shoes must have been made
purposely for the convict, large and of very soft leather, costing, no
doubt, more than ordinary shoes. But they would have brought great
relief to an old, suffering man.

But our Prison Aid Association, notwithstanding its efforts for good,
met those who opposed it. Hence, one told me that the concern was
organized for the purpose of running an opposition to the prison, all I
could say to which was, "If helping the men, as above described, be
running an opposition to the prison, it was organized for that very
purpose; otherwise, not." But the man was, no doubt, nettled that the
prisoners were looked after on leaving prison, and not permitted to go
as the warden provided.

Some, again, pretended that the influence of the Association was in
favor of having the prisoners remain in and about Concord. This was the
very thing we labored against, or one of them, at least. The Agent, and
every active member, invariably used their influence in favor of their
going to other places, and especially to keep them away from their old
haunts and associations. I knew, however, that there were influences
used here, and among prison officers, too, to keep men in the city.
Some, for whom I had provided good places away, were tampered with and
thus influenced to remain.

23. _Lecturing for the Prison Aid Association._ To widen the influence
of this body and become personally acquainted with places where we could
send our men for suitable employment and care, the idea was conceived of
giving occasional lectures, in favorable localities within the State, on
the interests in question. For this pur