A Life for a Life

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A strange attachment, akin to love, has been formed by a convict for a rat which he has caught and tamed and of which he has grown very fond. It is the only living thing he cares for and which care for him, and in the solitude of his cell the companionship of the rodent gives the poor fellow a great deal of comfort and pleasure. One of the keepers of the prison sees the prisoner playing with the rat, rushes into the cell, dashes the animal to the door and kills it. The convict seizes the keeper by the throat, strangles and almost kills him. He is brought before the warden and placed in solitary confinement. A visiting clergyman, a friend of the warden, is escorted through the prison, in company with the warden's wife and child. When they enter the cell of the convict placed to solitary confinement they find him morose and sullen, grieving over the loss of his friend and companion and the injustice of the whole human race. The clergyman speaks to him kindly and the warden's little daughter sympathizes with him, while her mother looks at him with pity. His heart is somewhat mellowed by these evidences of consideration, and when the clergyman visits his cell the second time, by permission of the warden, the whole spirit of the man seems to have undergone a change and his huge frame is convulsed in tears that seem to wash out and purify his soul. He seems a changed being, and soon the warden makes him a "trusty" and gives him the care of his garden and freedom of the prison grounds. While caring for the flowers he often meets the warden's little girl, who has become very fond of him, and he idolizes her, looking upon her as a visiting angel whenever she come near; his gratitude for the kindness shown him is sincere and he longs to show it in his own limited way. Through an unforeseen event an opportunity presents itself wherein the convict shows the sincerity and depths of his loyalty to those who have befriended him. The warden's house catches fire and his little daughter, who is in the house, is unable to escape from the flames. Would-be rescuers attempt to penetrate the flames and are driven back by the blaze and smoke. The convict sees the burning home, runs to the scene and, heedless of himself, penetrates the blazing building and saves the child, just as the father reaches his home and is prevented from rushing into the mouth of certain death. The warden clasps his child to his breast and the convict hero falls unconscious into the arms of the guards. He is carried to the hospital, and when he has recovered consciousness the warden and his daughter call at the hospital to see him. The warden thanks him for the life of his child and commends him for his bravery and unselfish deed. The little daughter throws her arms around the poor fellow's neck and the sick man tenderly strokes her head and declares he was willing to lose his own life that she might live.