mining. Whenever a new man would be placed with the convicts for
instructions in mining he would have to buggy coal just as long as it
was possible to get him to do so. After a time, however, he would want
to take turn about with his teacher.

After we had finished getting out what we had down the noon hour had
arrived. At certain places in the entries or roadways there are large
wooden doors which, when shut, close up the entire passage. These
doors are for the regulations of the currents of air which pass
through the mines. The loud noise produced by pounding on one of these
doors was the signal for dinner. It was now noon. Bang, bang, bang,
bang, went the door. I had now put in one-half day of my sentence in
the mines. Oh! the many long, dreary, monotonous days I passed after
that! At the call for dinner the convict, ALWAYS HUNGRY, suddenly
drops his tools and makes his way at a rapid pace along the entry
until he comes to the place where the division officer has his
headquarters. Arriving at this place each convict takes his position
in a line with his fellow-convicts. All talking now ceases. They sit
on the ground while eating, with their lower limbs crossed. There are
no soft cushioned chairs on which the tired prisoner may rest his
weary limbs. When seated, a small piece of pine board, about a foot
square, is placed across his knees. This is the table. No table cloth,
no napkins, no table linen of any kind. Such articles as these would
paralyze a convict! Thus seated in two rows along the sides of the
entry, with their mining lamps lighted and hanging in their caps, they
present a weird and interesting sight. The dinner had been brought
down from the top about an hour before on coal cars. Three of the
prisoners are now detailed to act as waiters. One passes down between
the two rows of convicts, carrying in his hand a wooden pail filled
with knives and forks. These culinary instruments have iron handles.