"Keep about your work as though nothing had happened!"
"Yes, ma'am."
I went to the door, blew my whistle, and sent for the Deputy. I waited
in the entry for him, and stated the case before he went in to punish
the women.
"McMullins gave the first blow; you know she is a poor, foolish thing;
she has fits. You won't punish her this time, will you? She slapped
O'Brien in the face, and she struck back. Won't you let them off this
time?"
"I can't. It won't do."
"Wouldn't it make you angry, and wouldn't you strike back if any one
struck you in the face?"
"Probably I should."
"You won't punish her for doing what you would do yourself?"
"I must."
"If one is punished both must be. The trouble began in Annie's not
having her own things to use. I will see that each has her own things in
future, and avoid cause of contention in that way as much as possible.
If McMullins should have a fit in her cell, we should both feel bad.
Can't you let them off with a reproof this time?"
"I can't. McMullins must not count on the fool's pardon when she fights.
If I let her go now she might fly in any woman's face at any time. They
never would be safe from her slappings. Don't you think they ought to be
punished?"
"Yes, sir; with some kind of punishment."
"If I were to let them off, it would be known all through the prison in
two hours, and there would be rebellion in all quarters."
"Subordination must be maintained. I wish there were a different way. I
am so sorry to have the poor things locked up."
"I am sorry; but I have no other way."
When he went into the kitchen, Annie O'Brien took off her apron, and
delivered herself up to him without a word; but McMullins cried, and
begged him not to lock her in a black cell.
He made no reply, but pointed them to the prison. As he went, he asked
me to bring No. 1 key.
The black cells are of the same size, and made like the others. The only
difference between them is, that the doors of the black cells are closed
from the entrance of all light by a black board placed against the bars.
They have no beds in them, not a blanket to lie upon. Nothing but the
cold stones to sit, to stand upon, or to lean against. The only article
of furniture allowed in them is the night bucket, which may be converted
into a seat. The rations, when in that "durance vile," is one quart of
water, and one thin slice of bread during the twenty-four hours.
With a heavy heart I saw my poor women locked up. I turned the key upon
them with my own hand.
O this continual turning of keys! The bunch in my hand all day, under my
pillow at night.
Click, click, when I go out of the room; click, click, when I come in.
Will my ears ever harden to the sound so that I shall not notice it!
It is a constant drill, drill to labor under the ever impending
punishment, which hangs over the prisoner, suspended by a breath of
complaint by an officer. Is one kind of punishment the only cure for
disobedience? Should it not be mitigated by mercy, or changed in
character according to the circumstances, or the peculiar disposition
of the offender? How does the Great Lawgiver treat His convicts? Does He
punish all offenders with the same unmitigated rigor? His sun shines
alike on the evil and the good. He reproves often, and teaches, and
suffers long, and is kind, and adapts His punishment to the character of
the crime committed.
Some crime is committed in willful disobedience of known law; but much
more of it in ignorance of the way to control bad tempers--in ignorance
of the way to resist temptation.
Teaching is what these poor creatures want, and the time in which to
learn.
Many a time I went to the key-holes of those black cells to listen that
day. Many a time I called,--
"McMullins, are you well?"
She invariably begged me to let her out.
"I cannot. You did wrong and must be punished."
"She threw the dish-cloth at me."
"You struck her."
"I'll never do it again, I am so tired. Please will you get the Deputy
to let me out."
"Just as soon as I can."
That night I went to him, and begged to have my women let out.
"You know McMullins has fits, and to lie there on the cold stones all
night might bring them on."
"You may put her in her own room to sleep."
"Thank you! It is a favor done to me as well as her. I don't think I
could sleep at all if she were left lying there. You will let O'Brien go
to hers--it would be hardly right to let one sleep in her bed, and not
the other."
He shook his head.
"O'Brien has been here before. I know more about her than you do."
"Let me try her my way, Mr. Deputy?"
"Not to-night."
"In the morning?"
"I will see."
O'Brien was obliged to make the cold stones her couch that night, and
little sleep did I get thinking of her. Many a time did I say to myself
in its silent hours, I will have her out in the morning if it is in the
power of persuasion to effect it.
After the women were locked up, Annie called to me. Her quick ears had
learned, or some other prisoner had told her, that McMullins was in her
own cell.