Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction; United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction
“_Let them tie you as often as they will. I shall free you. You are
innocent, and shall not be punished._”
I looked for the one whose voice I heard, and, to my surprise, could not
see anyone. I shuddered. I did not understand this.
I had drunk my coffee, and was feeling somewhat better from its effect
and that of the kind words, when the superintendent entered with others.
As I arose to greet them I was drawn back by some invisible power.
Remaining seated, I was told to arise. I could not do so, and replied
that I could not.
One of the gentlemen seized my arm and told me to stand up. I tried to do
so, and could not. I was taken hold of by another and told to stand, but
again I could not. Then they tried to lift me up, and they could not move
me.
I became alarmed. I did not feel ill—only slightly dizzy.
They debated as to what they should do about my case. I could not
understand such a mystery. I only knew that I was freed, by whom I could
not tell.
The mystery was growing in my mind. As I was sent for by the doctor,
whom they called in to diagnose my case, I arose without effort, to the
surprise of the guard, and walked unassisted to the office. There I
confronted the doctor, apparently a well man, on my feet, and feeling
well anyway.
I was thoroughly examined, and pronounced physically well. Once more
I was taken back to “the carpet,” and was told that I would be given
lighter work, and to try not to be subject to any such treatment
hereafter, as disobedient prisoners have to be compelled to work.
I was taken to the library, and told to book out all literature, as
called for. I became very much interested in the work and was trying to
make the best of it. I thought: “I am going to see if I can find some
literature in here which will comfort me and help me to pass this long
time which I must spend inside of these prison walls.”
I had an order for a book called “The Ghost of a Woman.” Ghost of a
woman! I wondered if the prisoner who ordered it had seen the ghost of
this woman talked of in this place and hoped to find a book telling what
her mission is here, I thought: “I too should like to know.”
As I was tracing along the line of literature I was confronted with a
book entitled “The Wisdom.” What could that be? We all needed some of
that, I especially. If I had had more, I would not be here. “As it is, I
am here,” I thought, “and I am willing to find wisdom.”
I laid the book aside to take along with me to my cell to read when I
should have the opportunity. I then continued the search for “The Ghost
of a Woman.”
As the guard entered he said: “Well, you are not making much headway
getting out those orders.”
“I have an order here for a book entitled ‘The Ghost of a Woman.’”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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