As we break ranks my partner, Murphy, comes forward with a cheerful smile. “Well, Mr. Brown, how do you feel to-day?”
“Fine,” I respond briefly, and we step to our working table.
“How did you sleep?”
“Not very well; I kept waking up all night.”
“Well, don’t worry. It’s always like that the first night; you’ll sleep better to-night.”
And with this comforting assurance we hang up our coats and caps and start to work.
The convict instructor, Stuhlmiller, comes to our table. “Well, Brown, how did you like bucket duty?”
“Oh, I’ve had to do worse things than that,” I reply. “I don’t know that I should select that particular job from preference; but somebody has to do the cleaning up. That’s the reason I was once mayor of Auburn.”
The other two are greatly amused at this view of official position; and so we start pleasantly with our basket-making.
Before the morning has far advanced the Captain comes over to me and in a low voice asks would I like to be sent out with a gang to help move some coal. I haven’t the least idea what is involved, but I’m keen for anything. I am here to learn all I can. So I answer briefly, “Sure,” and he returns to his desk. Presently I hear the name of Brown called out with those of Murphy and eight others. Murphy says, “Come on, Brown, we’ll get some fresh air!” I start at once for the door, but Murphy pulls me back; we have to be lined up, counted, ten of us, and duly delivered to another officer who takes us in charge.