One Wicked Night.

Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1898, Page 2

One Wicked Night.

* BY JAMES GREENWOOD (The Amateur Casual). Although the following txlraordinary narrative is related in tbe first person, and as a perional experience, I should judge that the interesting convict, whose prison number was*—. ,4 78," dictated it to the literary gentleman, the produce of whose fertile brain so narrowly escaped oblivion. " While J. was undergoing my last I sentence of 2 years' imprisonment for robbery with violence (I say my last pentence, for previously I bad been 3 times convicted for the sameeW offence), one evening as I sat in my cell the chaplain paid me a visit, v accompanied by a gentleman, who, though exceedingly bland and polite, was unmistakably one of the shrewdly inquiring sort. " * 73.' " said the reverend gentleman, " I have tha governor's permission to introduce to yon my friend Mr ■ . Hit profession ii literary, and at present he is engaged v en a work of great social importance, and one section of which will be devoted to what be calls cariosities oi crime. I have mentioned to him your own ease, which from many points of view I regard as exceptional and peculiar. In one respect in particular, so far as baa been made known to me, np to the age of £4 yon were a well conducted young man, bearing an unblemished character, occupying a position of trust, and residing with yoar friends, who are highly respeotable. When all unexpectedly— in a single day, aa it were yon developed wbat appeared to be an irresistible impulse to plunge into vicious and dishonest courses, in which you have ever since persisted. Tbis much I hare already told my friend here, and it is not out of mere idle cariosity, bat with a view to be of service to bis erring fellow creatures that he would like to hear the particulars of your story. If you feel to disponed, and it ii in your power, he would be glad to hear you explain, in your own way, what it was that so suddenly urged you from tbe right road to the wrong." " Sir," I made answer, " I should be pleased to oblige you in what you ask, but it would be impossible to do io either to my own latiafaotion or yours." The only explanation I could give him, however sincere my own belief in it, this gentleman would regard as an impudent aU tempt to impose on bis credulity. I could expect no otber. "Let me hear it at all events,"' remarked the literary gentleman, smiling encouragingly and producing his note book. " May I take it, sir,'* I asked him, " that you have no theory of your own respecting the development of crime in individuals who previously appeared incapable of it." " I have, I assure you, my friend," h> replied, " a completely open mind on the subject.' 1 ' " You do not think it possible that it may be a disease that one infected person may communicate to another as smallpox and other epidemic diseases nro spread." " The proposition is ao absurd we will not waste tim* io discussing it." Tbe literary gentleman evidently thought that I was poking fun at him and ceased to smile. The ot)aplain tookpd grave. "'73/ I am surprised at you," be observed. " You n_*d not comply wiih what has been asked of you as a favour, but- you should abstain from rudeness while refusing." "Nothing, I assure you. gentlemen, is further from my thoughts. You regard the suggestion I have made as too ridiculous to have been made in earnest. That may be. Bat, take my word for it, were I to relate to you simply and truly, how, to the best of my knowledge and' belief, my nature became changed in a single night, it would appear to you as being no less an abuse of common-sense. All the game, if you are willing to hear my story, I will relato it it to you, and you can brm your own opinion on it. "As you, sir, have already remarked, up to the time when I attained my 24; h year my character ' waa unblemisned. I held a position <f trust, and my salary was such as might wall secure a young man against those temptation? that not uncommonly beset people whose means debar tbem from all but the hare necessaries of existence. I may add fhttt I had always been of * ->ber habits, and rarely entared -a * tavern, and wnen I did it was for 4 simple glass of beer because I waa hirsty. (To be continued.)