Fair play., 1873-08-14

full BRIDGET. I'm to go to the jug, SUP
pose. Who cares p
''Are the spoons all right. my girl !?
asked the amateur detective.
"An' why not. thanks to yer honor
and bad cess to the murdtherin' rogue. :
he takin' yer hOnor's time. And I'll tax
me book oath agen him whenever ye
honor says"
"An right" said Blythe. "Good
morning. Come with me my Turpi1
bold"
The man went quietly for few pace
and then stopped. "What are you goin!
to do with mes'' he said.
"Well," said Blythe, "either put yol
in nomination for civic hOnors. as alder
man. for instance. where your talent
wouldn't remain hid in a napkin, or Civ
you in charge. think"
"COuldn't You kick me. Sir, and let M
gO?" asked the man, eagerly.
Blythe laughed aloud. "Corporal pun
ishment. as opposed to moral suasion
sh? Well, perhaps. Where do yol
live:''
His captive studied his face. 1t was Sc
open and kindly, the laugh had been Sc
wouldn't like to lie to you, Sir. dom
live anywhere. come out Of Jail for tn.
third time last Tuesday. I'm a regular
jail-bird, am, and I don't expect to b.
nothing else. I'm too old. And dom
suppose it matters how soon 90 back. y
The mans voice was steady enough, but
his lip twtched little.
"Then you didn't breakfast at DelmOn.
icO's this mOrning!' said Blythe.
| 81 didn't breakfast nOwheres these two
| davs. Sir" replied the prisoner.
"My Young friend" said his queer
keeper, have ever observed through.
| out my virtuOus life that when there is a
| chronic emptiness of the stomach, there
| is a corresponding shakiness Of the moral
nature. Here is my card. Will you do
me the honor and pleasure of breakfast
ing with me?'
The amazed convict replying not, was
forthwith hailed to a cel1ar-restaurant.
where. having ordered half the bill CT
fare. Blythe sat back in his chair COM
placently observing the furnished eager
ness of his human wolf. When even the
chronic emptiness was temporarily filled.
the wolf said. sheepishly, 81 don't mind
telling you, Sir, since you've acted SO
handsome, that l wouldn't have took
them spoons if hadn't ha' been just
starved. That amt no excuse in the
Nvtu tSs hhO"s anu SAYNCb ~ ~ up III
it; bat thought you'd kind o. feel as il
you hadn't wasted your money so bad If
YOU knew how hOller | was. I'm ready
now. Sir, if your times up.''
"NOt quite up" said John. "Sup-
pose You tell me how it began. Perhaps
could speak word for you. I'm law
yer"
The other stared with surprise. "a law
yer" he said, land give away breakfast
like that! That beats cracky! But there's
nothing to tell, Sir. I'm a wheelwright.
got sent up the first time for being drunk
and disorder1y. I lost my place. and
then come strike, and no work and
took nip sometimes. and got sent up
for petty larceny. And sort o. slipped
into the thieves ring and byme- by I got
three years term. But was sick Of
the business. and 1 worked hard and kept
the rules, and got good name. So when
come out, goes to my old shop to get
work: and, thinks I, faint fair to the
boss not to own up, cause he might have
hard words heaved at him by the rest of
the hands If they found it out. And so
he wouldn't take me and none of the
other bosses wouldn't, cause told 'em
for, thinks /, faint no use to pretend
you want to be honest with a lie on TO
your tongue. So then I tried to get
porter's work. and other things, but no
body wouldn't take a man without a
character. IdOn't blame 'em. s'pOsc
shouldn't myself. if was them. Well.
hadn't no money nor credit, but used
though had good wages and so took
a watch. and got sent up again. I'm Il
pretty decent chap in Jail. YOU see. I
don't get no liquor, and after little
don't want it. And Pm proper good
workman. And the warden used to let
me have the picture papers on Sundays.
And made up my mind again that I'd
just be new man when got out. So
did get out last Tuesday, with these
clothes and two dollars and a nice new
knife that the warden gave me. So then
tried right off for work. And when the
boss says. 'Where did you work last"
says, Come. now, won't tell you no
lies. worked at the prison; Pm con-
vict.' And then twas the same old
story. So sold the knife and hand
kerchief. and the last of them and my two
dollars was eat up and slep' up night be-
fore last. So yesterday didn't have no
victuals; and thought maybe I'd go to
some minister and tell him. But minis
ters amt much in my way and. besides.
don't want to beg| wanted to work.
So walked round all night last night.
cause couldn't 60 into them holes to the
statiOn-house to sleep-I know 'em too
well. And when see them spoons wait
ing in the winder this morning purpose
to he took. I couldn't hold out no longer.
didn't expect to get nabbed; but guess
didn't care much. And that's ALL" said
the man, pulling up suddenly. 81 guess
having to hold your tongue SO much up
to the prison kind O. makes it run at both
ends when you get out. And beg your
pardon. Sir. for doing Of it. But. If its
the station for taikin' with you sort o.
makes me hate to go back again. And
he lOOkeT-this hardened convict-quite
capable of human tears.
"I've concluded" said Blythe, quietly,
Ito transport you instead"
The man jumped up. 'Why, that ain t
American law, is it?' he cried. ''Why
should care. though? Just as you say.
Sir. You've treated me fair, and don't
doubt you know the law"
"It's Gospel, if it isn't law" said
Blythe. heartily. "What is your name.
my friend?'
''John Brand. Sir; but the rame's a
brand 10 me now. and if I'm to be ship
ped. I'll take another, if it amt against
the law"
IAN right said his sponsor: stake
mine, John Blythe It's good, honest
name. and I'll trust you to keep it so.
You're going to Philadelphia to a friend !
have there in the carriage business; big
house; good wages: chance to rise.
write to him and tell him all about you in
a letter you take. He is not to report to
me. If you do well. you'n be glad to le,
me know 1t yourself. If you don't I'd
rather not know it at all, I'u have mo
spies upon you. and I'll trust YOU to keen
| faith with nae. You'll want another snii