Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-02-21

was constantly upon him. Whether
Jimmy was aware of this or not do
not know; but II he was, he sudden
ly did foolish thing-he allowed
himself to be caught, one dusky Feb
ruary evening, in the very act OF bur-
glariously entering dwelling house !;
and within an hour he was safely en-
sconced in the cells OF the police
court. There found him next morn
ing when went my round. He
looked at me with half rueful, half
comical expression OF countenance.
Back again, Jimmy" said /. II
thought you had turned over new
leaf"
so did I, Mr.. Burton" he answer
ed. But you fellows don't give us
poor chaps chance; you don't, in
deed. Just because wanted to look
through the window of house last
night they run mo in here. Too
bad, now, amt it, Mr.. Burton?"
"It'll be another five years penal,
will this, Jimmy" said l. what a
foolish man you arel Why don't
you reform and live honestly?'
He smiled knowingly at me. "Why
do birds fiy?" said he. "'Cos they re
used to it. It's natur'-that's what
it is, Mr.. Burton"
So Jimmy languished in the town
jail for few weeks. having been
committed for trial. Then the as
sizes came on at Woolford and he
was brought up to stand his very
doubtful chance. His trial was little
more than formality, for Jimmy
had been caught in the very act of
inserting his pocket crowbar in the
window ledge of the house. He was
found guilty and sentenced to five
years penal servitude and certain
term of police supervision.
/ went to have a word or two with
Jimmy in the cells, as he waited
there for removal to his next abiding
place. His sentence did not seem to
have disturbed his equanimity, and
he smiled very placidly as greeted
him.
Well, you've done it again,
Jimmy" said l. I'VE sha'n't see
any more of you for while"
You're right there, Mr.. Burton, "
he answered And / sha'n't see
any more Of you, ELI? don't care
| can do five years on my head. But
I'm sorry l sha'n't be able to see
jerry. He comes out next week"
II believe he does"
eve were always very fond Of each
other me and jerry" said Jimmy
Timble. Very fond we was. We've
worked things together many
time"
You have, and given us good
deal Of trouble with your efforts"
II dare say" answered Jimmy, i'm
perturbable as ever; 81 dare say.
But ! say, Mr.. Burton, you might do
me favor. I've always looked on
you as friend; and when chaps
got put away for five years he natu-
rally looks to his friends, don't hep"
81 suppose he does, Jimmy. Well,
what is 1t you want?"
"Why, there's two or three things
at the lodging house that l would
like given to Jerry when he comes
out. There's knife and watch
chain, and two or three other little
articles-all come by honest, Mr..
Burton. Oh, and there's q book, the
Pilgrims Progress, very interest
ing book is that. Will you tell the
house folks to liver them up
to Jerry, Mr. Burton?"
Very we'll, Jimmy. Perhaps I'd
better take charge of them myself,
and give them to Jerry the next time
/ see him. / shall be sure to come
across him as soon as he comes out"
"I'd take it real kind if you would"
said Jimmy; and you might tell
him to keep that Pilgrim s Progress,
cos I'll finish reading it when I've
done this five years"
With that we parted and Jimmy
was presently whirled away in the
black Maria to the town Jail. We
were rid of his presence for four years
at any rate. He was soon removed
to Portland, and there, no doubt,
made himself perfectly comfortable.
/ forgot all about Jimmy's parting
until week or two later.
Then, finding myself one day in the
OF the lodging house
which had served as Jimmy's home,
l went inside and asked the deputy
to hand over the convict's posses
sions. He did so with an air of scorn.
that Jimmy's belongings
were not worth twopence to anybody.
l thought he was right when
subsequently turned over the con-
tents of the bundle There was
nothing there of any consequence,
and l wondered very much that
Jimmy Timble should have been so
particular about having his little
handed over to his brother
Jerry. The Pilgrims Progress" was
the most homogeneous object turned
out OF the old handkerchief which
held Jimmy Timble's belongings. |
shook my head perplexedly as
stared at it. What was Jimmy Tim
BILE, thief. burglar, thrice convicted
doing with the Pilgrims
And how was it that
that particular work was the only
book he possessed? And how did he
come to possess it at all? / turned
the leaves over carelessly and could
see nothing unfamiliar about the
book. / finally concluded that
Jimmy Timble had picked it up
and kept it out Of curl
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