Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/432

 ave him.

The life  of  prisoners  is  not  so  severe  as  might  be expected. The bell  rouses  them  at  five  to  seven  a.  m., accorclino- to  the  season,  and  ten  minutes  later  the cells are"  opened  by  the  turnkey,  permitting  the  men to  roam  in  the  yard  for  half  an  hour.  Fifteen  min- utes are  allowed  for  breakfast,  and  then  on  to  work- shops, brickyard,  or  offices.  .-,.     M     V

The signal  for  dinner  is  given  at  half  past  Ho  clock. Those who  possess  tea  or  coffee  are  given  facilities  to prepare  the  beverage,  and  at  a  sign  the  men  fall  into line for  the  dining-room,  where  two  rows  ot  tables p-roan under  the  abundant  rations  of  meat  and  bread, with  soup  ad  libitum. The turnkey  overiooks  the huno-ry army  from  behind  an  elevated  desk,  and  gives the order  to  be  seated. All are  now  on  the  qui  vive for the  next  signal,  to  begin  eating,  which  is  obeyed with a  will. Silence prevails,  broken  only  by  the  oc- casional clatter of  spoons,  with  which  the  more  par- ticular have  provided  themselves,  for  the  dangerous knives and  forks  have  been  replaced  by  the  more  nat- ural implements   of  the    paradise    era. A  last    rap closes the  banquet,  and  the  convicts  march  out  witii abated eagerness,  removing  the  glossy  evidence  ot  the tooth   and    nail    combat    by    a     complacent    wrist

movement. i •  i      n

The supper  call  is  at  half-past  four,  after  which  all are locked  in. Those who  have  lamps  or  candles  may read, play,  or  work,  till  nine,  when  hghts  are  extin- guished, except on  the  lower  story,  where  they  burn all ni'Tht  to  reveal  any  attempts  at  bormg  the  wall.

Th? work was  largely  in  the  hands  of  contractors, manufacturers of  furniture,  saddles,  shoes,  clothing cigars, barrels,  bricks,  etc.,  each  of  whom  employed frSm 25  to  200  men. The prison  provides  all  the needed shops,  power,  and  guard. The custom  ot sending  gangs  to  work  outside  the  prison  has  been much restricted. .

Task work  is  most  common,  and  on  completing  Ins share the  convict  may  while  away  the  time,  or,   by