“We have all been converted since the first of January,” was their reply.

One of those young men got out while I was there, and came to my cell and told me that it was true about their conversion.

Oh! the sad hearts behind the bars!  Oh! the injustice!  I am glad I have been a prisoner for one thing, I never see a face behind the bars that my heart does not pity.  I have heard so many tales of ruined lives; have seen men with muscles and brain, bowed into tears.  Oh, if we would only love each other more; if we would feel as Paul:  “To owe love to all we meet, and pay the debt.  ’Tis the most pleasant debt to pay and the indebtedness blesses both parties, especially the one who pays.”  I used to think that birth and other circumstances made one person better than another.  I do not see it that way now.  The man with many opportunities is not entitled to as much consideration as one with fewer.  I am the defender of the one who needs help most.  The great need of the world is Love.

CHAPTER IX.

OUT OF JAIL.—­EGGS AND STONE.—­SMASHING STILLING’S JOINT AT ENTERPRISE.—­ WHIPPED BY HIRED PROSTITUTES.—­PLOT AT HOLT BY HOTEL KEEPER AND JOINTIST TO POISON AND SLUG ME.—­AT CONEY ISLAND.—­HAND BROKEN AND HANDCUFFS.

I got out of Wichita jail about the last week in January, 1901, under a writ of habeas corpus.  I got bail,—­I forget who went my bail, but God bless them; and left on the evening train about seven o’clock.

While in jail I got a letter asking me to come to Enterprise, Dickinson County, and break up saloons there.  I said the name enterprise, is good and I will go; so I left jail with the intention of going there.  It was dark when I started for the train.  Many of the Salvation Army were near me.  The streets were almost impassable, and the whole city seemed to be on the streets marching down to the station, yelling and laughing.

Many said:  “Are you not afraid?” Perfect love casteth out all fear I love the people, I do not fear them.

There walked by my side, a man keeping the crowd back.  “Are you one of the Salvation Army?” I said to him.

He said:  “No, I am only a tin horn gambler.”

I asked him:  “Why do you seem to be such a friend of mine.”

He answered:  “Because I intend that no one shall hurt you, for you are a good woman, and I will see you safe.  They all know me, and they will not hurt you.”  He carried my valise and put me on the train.

There were several thousand at the depot and the crowding was dangerous.  I wanted to see the crowd, so I raised the window, waved my hand and as the train pulled out, the eggs began to come; the window fell down and I did not get a spatter.  God said:  “I’ll stand by you.” explains this.  In two minutes a rock the size of my fist came crashing in at the window; shivered the glass, and the rock fell down at my side; which was a miracle.  Not once did I feel alarmed but smiled; while all the passengers were on their feet with fright.