Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-04-27

WHICH THIS LETTER WILL EXPLAIN"
have been sent on an errand which this
letter will explain"
The governor put on his glasses and
read the letter that was handed to him.
1t ran as follows:
"To THE GOVERNOR OF THE FEDERAL PRS
ON, ETC, ETc: The bearer OF this, Mr.. Kent,
IS connected with the stan OF this paper and is
sent 20 you TO obtain. II possible an Interview
with the prisoner Jean Laport, now under SEN
tencc for granddaughter. The interests OF tho
political party now in power can be materially
advanced II this man can be induced 70 talk,
and II possible. furnish some Information con-
cerning his confederates In vast scheme TO
rob the government II IS assumed that the pris-
oner, who is virtually under life sentence, can
have no good reason for longer keeping silent,
and IL IS thought by the managers OF this paper
that an adroit man, like the bearer or this, IL
furnished the facilities, may succeed In elciting
the information, which will be OF great service
in the coming campaign TO tho administration,
OF which you are loyal adherent
'Respectfully, etc, etc"
Gov. Ixtel, plethoric and good-na-
tured man when not dealing with con-
victs, let his hand drop to his side with
the letter In it. With the other he took
off his glasses and looked at Mr.. Kent
with broad smile.
"Why, bless your enterprising soul"
he said, "that old alligator won't talk.
You couldn't pump ten words out of
him II you worked a month"
Nevertheless, replied Mr. Kent, II
am here TO make the attempt with
your kind permission"
"Take n seat" said the governor. 81
A.. n .r..1. -.
In politics"
Mr.. Kent sat down. "Well, sir, II
isn't generally known. But he is
nevertheless the depository OF certain
secrets which TO hold will no longer be
OF any service TO him and which IL he
will give them away, Us we say, will
secure for him the influence OF num-
Der Of powerful friends who can, II
they set TO work, get him II commuta-
tion Of sentence"
Mr. Kent was evidently a clever
talker; he was thoroughly posted in
the political situation; he brought
with him from New York good deal
Of inside news and several rattling
stories that were new. He candidly
confessed that he had no stomach for
this Job and wanted To- be back in the
metropolis But duty was duty and
| he'd have TO make the attempt. lie
| did not think he'd get much out of it,
but II he did IL would be feather In
the cap OF the present administration
and an additional plume for himself.
Mr. Kent talked so long that tho
| governor invited him To take dinner
with his family, and the guest proved
such an interesting tallscr that Mrs.
Ixtel late in the afternoon proposed 10
| the governor that IL would be far more
| hospitable To have the gentleman stay
with them than TO go off TO n hotel.
He played backgammon that night
with the governor; sang the latest
songs for Miss Ixtcl and accompanied
! himself on the piano; and he sat up till
twelve o'clock talking politics and
| drinking the governors whisky.
/ The next day about nine o'clock In
! the morning, the prisoner, n round.
! ghouldercd old man with "A great deal
| Of character IN his square jaw and
| massive chin and dccp-sct scintillani
| black eyes, was brought into the
| Office Of the prison. No one was pres
ent but the governor and the reporter
"Laport," said the governor, "herc'i
n gentleman wants 20 talk 10 you.
hope you'll treat him with more con
alteration tb n you do me"
The old man looked from one OF the
men TO the other with II sullen dc
fance. ''You can save yourself the
trouble, f" he said. I've nothing 90 say
He folded his arms and stood looking
ut the ceiling.
"Well, sit down and be comfortable
II you can't be human" said tho gov
ernor. gThcrc's chair."