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march in line to the dining room to supper. The supper consists of meat, vegetables, fruit, white bread and coffee or tea. The following is a list of dishes served for supper: stewed prunes, stewed apricots, peaches, apples or raisins, oatmeal, hominy, liver with gravy, fried bacon, meat stew, corn bread, wheat bread, butter, potato cakes, biscuits - and the latter are usually as good as mother used to make. From the dining room after supper, the boys go to their cells and look for the mail man to come around.

They are great readers indeed, and subscribe for many magazines and daily papers from all parts of the world. A special favorite among the dailies is the "Lincoln Daily Star," which has a large list at all times.

There are altogether nearly two hundred dailies and magazines received at the pen. There are also about one hundred. letters received every day. The papers and letters are distributed by the librarian, after first being read by the chief clerk. He also

 

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distributes books from the library and each man can have a book and read as much as he pleases. The boys feel very grateful towards Assistant Postmaster Ludlam of Lincoln, who donates to the prison many returned and uncalled for periodicals. Also many people of Lincoln send their magazines to Lancaster when they have read them. I have due respect for religious publications, but with the exception of two Christian Science magazines and a Catholic publication, there is but small demand for the religious magazines and papers. The magazines and great weeklies are read and re-read until they fall to pieces. Many of the boys like to read farm papers, for there are more farmers than any other calling in the pen; and many of the city boys take a liking to the farm papers - perhaps to be in as close touch with nature as circumstances will permit. The library is managed by an inmate. The present librarian is a young man serving a life sentence for a murder that he did not

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commit. He is an actor, a fine singer, and comes from a good Irish family, but happened to get mixed up with two tramps and now suffers the consequences. I sincerely hope that some kind-hearted governor will reduce his sentence, which would be no more than just. The two tramps are out long ago. He has put the library in as good condition as any city library on the outside, and takes a great interest in his work.

The boys are glad to see the librarian come around, and they can now read until nine o'clock. If they do not feel like reading they can lie down and talk, smoke or rest.

This is the way the boys spend their week days in the prison. Those who have money in the prison bank may order what groceries or delicacies they wish twice a week. They are very fond of fruit and have some on hand nearly all the time. There is a cigar stand in connection with the prison, where they can buy several brands of chewing and smok-

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ing tobacco and cigars; but they cannot buy any cigarettes, nor are they allowed to smoke them. Saturday is "writing day," and the librarian passes around a sheet of paper to each man. The letters are read by the deputy warden and mailed every Monday morning. Saturday is also bath day, and the men march to the bath house to enjoy a shower bath. Sunday is a day of rest, the same as in any other place. There are services in the chapel and Sunday-school which last until noon. After dinner the Sunday edition of the "Lincoln Daily Star" is distributed and the prisoners read the news and rest during the afternoon. Thus the time slips away in the prison faster than you imagine.

The boys look forward to the two great holidays, the Fourth of July and Christmas day, not only for the elegant meal served on those days, and the liberty of the yard, but because each holiday is to them a milestone on their tedious journey.