The story The Cellmate is in essence a tale about two lawless guys in the town of Whitesburg Kentucky
by
celanderwow (student)
The story The Cellmate is in essence a tale about two lawless guys in the town of Whitesburg Kentucky. Andy, the moonshine brewer trying to escape the sheriff and Lloyd, the kid accused of murder. Whitesburg Kentucky was not a bustling metropolis in the year of 1925 – but it was and all right town. As Andy puts it “it was the center of trade, law and information.” Andy had to choose a new spot for his still and he knew many others had their stills along the stream, so he wanted to put his still away from the stream, up at a dry ridge. It meant he had to build some sort of pipeline, but it was alright with him – he seems to be the kind of man who wants to go a little extra, to get that little extra. He is also described as a person, who does not give much about authorities. He is somewhat teasing the sheriff and he finds it amusing that he cannot catch him. Lloyd on the other hand is this quiet, shy and special boy. Mostly Andy’s friend Annie’s father had taken care of him in despite of his illegitimacy. No one had ever expected that he could do anything like it. Recently Annie’s father had died and the only thing left for Lloyd, was his chestnut mare and a try to get some kind of acknowledgment from his mother.
One day Andy is arrested by the sheriff, Andy knows he has nothing on him and voluntarily accepts to go to the station with him. Here Andy is put in prison for the night, but he has to stay in the same cell as Lloyd, but this is no problem to him. Andy seems to know that he is more than just a murderer. He even puts up the scenario, that sleeping at the sheriff’s desk is worse because he chews on a toothpick. Which really indicates, that Andy has some sort of trust in Lloyd. They do not talk together; Andy just nods at Lloyd and goes to sleep on his cot. A nod is a gesture, but it is very distant at the same time, as it seems very near. Lloyds chestnut mare was enclosed in a little area behind the town’s blacksmith. From the cell window you could clearly see the gallows, but Lloyd never glanced at them, his look never went past the mare. This little passage in the text, tells all about the character Lloyd – he only cares about his horse. A horse he got from someone who loved him and someone he has lost. It is his last memory of love and the only memory he has of feelings he will never have again – from anyone. He does not want to let down his mare, and therefore he is very concerned that it will not be taken care of. “Andy opened his eyes at the soft whisper. "I'm sure they'll take care of her."” This line changes something in the story, even though we are not told, it is as if Lloyd gets connected with Andy. Finally, for the first time in a long time, someone cares about Lloyd. Andy takes time to comfort him and this really seems to be something big for Lloyd. It is not written anywhere, but in the night, Lloyd puts his own blanket over Andy, who is shivering in the cold. This may not seem like a lot, but to a boy like Lloyd, it truly is. Next day when Andy wakes up, Lloyd is long gone, he has been executed and Andy is free to go again. On his way home, he bought ingredients for his moonshine, but he went to feed the chestnut mare some sugar, as Lloyd had wanted it – a desperate attempt to do something good and repay Lloyd’s humble help in the night.
