An Old Friend

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 126, 23 May 1888, Page 3

An Old Friend

Bertrand, the amorous |, N.S.W^ murderer, is still heard of occasionally from the~ dungeon wherein he has now spent 22 years of his existence. He devotes himself to art, and with ths permission of his gaolers, lets off his fervor in strange daubs of paint and canvas. In the old days, when he, was the leading toothsmith of Wyn- t yard-square, Sydney, he. lei off his fervor m his diary instead, and but for; that incriminating record, from which even Zola might learn a thing or two,: he might possibly have- been a free man to thfa hour* He is »6w denied; the pleasure of giving himself away in ink, and his brush, is the only vent for his feelings. On Sundays the> prisoners, male and female, attend «hurchi the sexes, however, being kept strictly separate. Some time A go, Berfarand, from his pew, was observed to be gazing with earnest «yes on one of the female warders in ihe gallery, and that lady entered a complaint after service. ' 1 was only searching for female beauty,' explained the fallen tooth- puller, with fes old cynical smile; '.I am.;uow engaged in. paint Lag an angel, and as angel-models are rather scarce in iraol, I was looking round for a face suggested an inspiration.' The female warder wore a grateful aspect at this. 'There is sometimes a line or two even in the ugliest countenance -which is worth reproduction,' added Bertrand agreeably, and the, female warder suddenly stopped smiling, and jjas not started again since. -