the twin hells(两个地狱)-第12章
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in the next room was becoming insane； a frequent occurrence in the mines。
Many of the poor convicts being unable to stand the strain of years and the
physical toil； languish and die in the insane ward。 To satisfy my curiosity； I
took my mining lamp from my cap； placed it on the ground； covered it up
as best I could with some pieces of slate； and then crawled up in the
darkness near where he was。 I never saw such a sight as was now
presented to me。 This broad…shouldered convict on his knees； with his
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frame bent over； his face almost touching the floor of the room； was
praying for his wife and children。 Such a prayer I never heard before； nor
do I expect to hear again。 His petition was something like the following：
〃Oh； Heavenly Father； I am myself a wicked； desperate man。 I do not
deserve any love or protection for my own sake。 I do not expect it； but for
the sake of Jesus do have mercy on my poor wife and helpless children。〃
I have been able； many times in my life； to spend an hour or more in
the prayer circle； and； unmoved； could listen to the prayers of the children
of God。 But I could not remain there in the darkness and listen to such a
prayer as that going forth from the lips of that poor convict； so I glided
back through the darkness into my own room； and left him there alone；
pleading with his Creator for his lone and helpless ones at home。
Reader； did God listen to the wails of that poor heart…stricken prisoner？
Yes！ yes！ yes！ For though a prodigal； sinful child； yet he is still a child of
the universal Father。 Who of us dare excommunicate him？ What frail
mortal of passing time would dare lift up his hand and say； this poor
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 wo
