WESTERN PENITENTIARY OF PENNSYLVANIA—MAIN BUILDING
CHAPTER I
DESPERATE THOUGHTS
I
"Make yourself at home, now. You'll stay here a while, huh, huh!"
As in a dream I hear the harsh tones. Is the man speaking to me, I wonder. Why is he laughing? I feel so weary, I long to be alone.
Now the voice has ceased; the steps are receding. All is silent, and I am alone. A nameless weight oppresses me. I feel exhausted, my mind a void. Heavily I fall on the bed. Head buried in the straw pillow, my heart breaking, I sink into deep sleep.