mart prison officer, so shrewd
that no prisoner can get the advantage of him. But he sometimes found
more than his match. Some thought it not a very hard matter to "pull the
wool over his eyes." The question has more than once been asked, "Is it
possible that he can be so befogged?" Why not? He is an old man, between
seventy and eighty, of great self-esteem, perhaps entering his dotage.
If such a man be placed in so responsible a position, what may we
expect?

37. _Good traits in the warden for prison service._ He possessed two
most excellent and important traits for a prison officer. He was usually
at his post, would be but seldom away and then only for a short time,
but once, I think, for a few days, during the year. He would also be
almost constantly looking after things himself, not leaving matters
altogether to subordinates. True, some would complain of finding him in
unsuspected and rather out-of-the-way places, but it taught them ever to
be on the alert, ready for inspection at all times.

While, however, these traits, with a moderate share of judgment, would
qualify one for running a steam engine, other and still higher and more
important qualities are needed for managing a prison.

38. _Chaplain's inability to prevent knowing more or less of the
prisoner's troubles and the prison management._ If the chaplain is alive
to the prisoners' moral needs, their sorrows of heart and intent on
affording the requisite advice, in searching for knowledge how to
direct his words, he will often, of necessity, learn more of things in
general than he desires. The case of the young man spoken of in Sec. 25,
who had been in the solitary and gave this as an excuse for no lesson,
is in point. He was making no complaint, but simply excusing himself.
This plea, however, brought with it an idea that no little lack of
prudence may have existed in a point of prison management, but of which
I could not judge without knowing further circumstances. Thus there are
numerous incidental ways by which knowledge will come to mind unbidden.
Men, thinking themselves ill-treated, or who see others wronged, will
speak of these things before he can stop them, and thus some knowledge
of wrong, perhaps, is gained. For example: A man in his cell, no little
excited, commenced: "How my blood boiled this afternoon at seeing them
throw S., that sick man, on those timbers, and hurt him so." But just as
soon as I saw his drift, I called out, "Ho