Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-12-10
l have work to do. I'll consider the ques-

l have work to do. I'll consider the aues-
ton. and help you if see my way"
Blythe turned down quiet cross street.
and was startled out of his meditation by
a woman's scream. At the same instant
man, stumbling up the steps of deep
area, ran violently against him. mot
SO fast, friend" said Blythe. 'It's not
polite to run away when people want your
company. Well just turn in here and see
for which of our virtues we are thus de-
sired" There was no shaking himself
free from the strong grip of his captor, and
the man oheyed u @uWM@
s'What' the row, my girl'' said
Blythe to the servant at the window
ooh, the black thafe'' she cried
Sure set me spoons on the winder- sill,
and it opened minute wild the dust, and
me sweepin', and the blatherin' thafe he
rached in an TUX 'em, and me ketchin'
him in the act"
Search me- said the man quietly.
1t was early. Nobody was in the street.
Blythe took the man into the area, and
turned his pockets inside out Not so much
as a pawn ticket appeared. Friend,
said he, Il must trouble you to take off
your boots" ttH
The man laughed uneasily Games
up" he said. Take your spoons, watch
ful Bridget. I'm to 60 to the jug,I sup
pose Who cares?T SEt Et1faf9s9ea
Are the spoons. all laright my .girl2''
asked the amateur detective.
"An' why not, thanks to yer honor, and
bad cess to the murderin' rogue, to be
takin' yer honor's time. And I'll take
me book oath agen him whenever yer
honorsays.' E
"Allr right, /" said Blythe. "Good-morn
ing. Come with me, my Turpin bold.
The man went quietly for few PAGES
and then stopped. 'fWhat are you going
to do with me3'' he said.
"Well,' said Blythe, sseither put you
in Nomination for civic honors, as alder
man, for instance, where your talents
wouldn't remain hid in napkin, or give
you in charge, think -
Couldn't you kick me, Sir, and let me
go p asked the man eagerly. Z
Blythe laughed aloud. Corporal
punishment, as opposed to moral suasion,
eh? s: %, Well perhaps: Where do you
His captive studied his face. 1t was so
open and kindly, the laugh had been so
hearty, that he said, suddenly, Il
wouldn't like to lie to you, Sir. I don't
live any where. | come out of jail for
the third time last Tuesday. I'm a regu-
lar Jail bird, am, and / don't expect to be
nothing else. Pm too old And don't
suppose it matters how soon | go back
The man voice was steady enough, but
his lip twitched little
''Then You didn't breakfast at Del
fhiu m nrr, rOsS aasl DIrt+lxo
81 didn't breakfast nOwheres these two
days INV w yong Tsplifd fsnSP 5hs pTsS1sr ss1 H.
keeper, 81 have ever observed throughout
my virtuous life that when there is a
chronic emptiness of the stomach, there is
. corresponding shakiness Of the moral
nature. Here is my card. VIII you do
me the honor and pleasure of breakfasting
with me ~
The amazed convict replying not, was
forthwith hauled to a cellar r-restaurant,
where, having ordered half the bill of
fare, Blythe sat back in his chair COM
placently observing the famished eager
ness OF his human wolf When even the
chronic emptiness was temporarily filled,
5he wolf said, sheepishly, u don't mind
telling you, Sir, since you've acted so
that wouldn't have them
spoons if | hadn't ha' been just starved.
That amt no excuse in the courts, |
know, and expect to 90 up for it: but |
thought you d kind o. feel as if you hadn't
wasted your money so bad if YOU knew
how holler l was. I'm ready now, Sir, if
your times up" a sN@
Not quite up said John. s'Suppose
you tell me how it began. Perhaps I
could speak word for you. I'm law
yer"
The other stared with surprise. "a
lawyer" he said, ''and give away a
breakfast like thatl That beats crackyl
But there's nothing to tell, sir. Pm
got sent up the first time
for being drunk and disorderly. lost my
place, and then come a strike, and no
work; and took nip sometimes. and got
sent up for petty larceny Z And | sort O.
slipped into the thieves ring; and byme-
by / got three years term. But | was
sick of the business, and | worked hard
and kept the rules, and got good name.
SO when / come out, goes to nv old shop
to get work; and, thinks |, faint fair to
the boss not to own up, cause he might
have hard words heaved at him by the rest
ofthe 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 toget por-
ter's work, and other things, but nobody
wouldn't take man without character.
| don't blame 'em. / s'pose | shouldn't
myself, if ! was them. Well, hadn't
no money nor credit, but used to want
my viduals just as regular as though /
had good wages; and so / took watch.
and got sent up again. I'm pretty de-
cent chap in jail you see. don't get no
liquor, and after a little / don't want it.
And I'm proper good workman And
the warden he used to let me have the
picture papers on Sundays-And made
up nay mind again that I'd just be a new
man when | got out So / did get out
last Tuesday, with these clothes and two
dollars, and nice new knife that the war.
den give 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. i
worked at the prison; I'm convict.
And then twas tho sama old otoru Go