e of the other shaft,
which is about one hundred yards distant, and began his ascent of it,
with the hope he would find it open. It was daylight when he reached the
top. Two officers had been stationed there to watch him. Arriving at the
surface and just ready to get out, they took charge of, and marched him
into the presence of the deputy warden. When the convict related the
narrow escapes from death in his efforts for liberty, the deputy warden
was so affected he refused to punish him.

Out in the world, with the blessings of liberty all around us, we do
not realize the priceless boon they are to us; but when we stand in the
presence of the perils that are undertaken in order to gain them when
deprived of their benefits, we begin to comprehend the real value of
these sacred immunities of citizenship.

CHAPTER VIII. THE PRISONERS

Thinking that it may be interesting to some of my readers, I will now
give, in brief form as possible, a history of some of the most noted
inmates of the penitentiary.

FEMALE CONVICTS

He must be of a very unsympathizing nature who does not feel for his
brother, who, though sinful and deserving, is imprisoned, and excluded
from the society of friends. While we are sad when we behold our
fellowmen in chains and bondage, how much sadder do we become when,
passing through the prisons, we behold those of the same sex with our
sisters, wives and mothers. In this land, blessed with the most
exalted civilization, woman receives our highest regard, affection
and admiration. While she occupies her true sphere of sister, wife or
mother, she is the true man's ideal of love, purity and devotion. When,
overcome by temptation, she falls from her exalted sphere, not only
do men feel the keenest sorrow and regret, but, if it is possible, the
angels of God weep.

In the Kansas penitentiary, just outside the high stone wall, but
surrounded by a tight board fence some fifteen feet high, stands a stone
structure--the female prison. In this lonely place, the stone building,
shut out from society, there are thirteen female prisoners. During the
week these women spend their time in sewing, patching and washing. But
very few visitors are allowed to enter this department, so that the
occupants are permitted to see very few people. Their keepers are a
couple of Christian ladies, who endeavor to surround them with all the
sunshine possible. For these inmates the week consists of one continual
round of la