ly. Hence, party interests would
prompt them, on the one hand, to remove the chaplain for a partisan; and
on the other to retain the warden for his aid to them politically. Thus,
it seemed that party considerations ruled the whole matter, and that the
rulers, instead of rising to the true dignity of their position, and
inquiring about the real interests of the prison, the best man for the
place, bowed obsequiously to the shrine of party. True, late in the
fall, or in early winter, they moved in the matter by appointing a
gentleman of Concord to the wardenship, but under such circumstances,
that he could not, for a moment, think of accepting, though doubtless he
would have improved matters had he done so.

53. _Experience at the prison subsequent to dismissal._ This experience
was limited, but sufficient to open another dark chapter in the history
of poor human nature. I still acted as agent to the Association. In
August, a man was to leave, concerning whom they started the story that
an indictment was made against him, ready for his arrest on leaving
prison; but they promised that if he would leave within a half hour
after his dismissal, he could go safely. I had a place for him near a
friend with whom relatives had deposited money on his account, but whose
locality I supposed he did not know. Very early, on the morning of his
release, I, by a message, solicited the warden to forward him to me, so
that I could send him on the five o'clock train. But seeing nothing of
him, I at length went to the prison office and asked the warden if he
would please let the man out, as I could send him by the next train. He
answered, "He has gone, Sir; went this morning at five, for New York." I
now turned to the deputy as usual previously, and asked, "Will you
please furnish me with a list of those going out this month?" He
answered, "No, Sir;" when the warden said, "You have had enough to do
with the prisoners, already. You are not to have any more concern with
them." I answered, "Very well," and, turning to go out, remarked to a
man about to leave, for whom I had a place in readiness, "Come to me as
you leave here, and I will give you directions as to where to go." The
deputy followed me, indulging in a tirade of most abusive language. As
he finished the words, "You had better not be over here making a fool of
yourself, but keep away lest you get kicked out," I had arrived at the
top of the stairs, where I stopped, supposing he p