The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-01-21
THE JOHN NAVY MANUSCRIPTS.

| heplef L dlne udd swung MS cnalf
around facing his guests, put his hand
still resting affectio0ately on copy of
the Maxima, which lay open upon his
desk There was an air of entire salts
faction on Paine's face. The Maxima
was just out that day. and it contained
a story which he had written year
before-the first of his stories which
that magazine had deigned to ac-
cept.
Jack Hall was lying on the lounge
with a pipe IN his mouth, and Frari,.
had just entered the room. A tin
faced, dark kcompJexioned man was
frarle: always cool, self possessed and
critical. With quiet, but friendl,'
greeting, he sat down and aelped him
self to a cigarette from Paine's box
frarie wrote the BOOK reviews for the
Polygon.
Il looked over your story in the al
vance sheets" he remarked, blowing
ont cloud Of smoke. II gave you
three lines. There are good points Il
bout that story, Paine. Your burg
lar is undeniabIy strong"
Il should say SOP, exclaimed jack
Hall Il call John Navy's Confession,
the best thing ont this year
Hall was an artist-nOt a literary
| man.
Yes, there are some things in it
which are really bright" Frarie ad
mitted. They have character. Ten
to one You picked them up somewhere,
| Paine
There is a story about that, Frarie
John Navy was an actual burglar
whom | used to know when | lived in
Bolton
II thought as much," SAID Frarie
with satisfaction.
Hall sprang up and went to the ia
bic 10 shake ont his pipe and refill
ut.
KEEP, I've heard just enough about
that old burglar to make me curiouis,"
he said abruptly. How did you get
acquainted with your interesting
friend?"
Tell us abontit, if yon don't mind
added Frarie.
"You may have heard OF the PENN
well bank robbery which occurred d
bout seyen years ago." Paine began.
The navy gang made that break. It's
leader, old John Navy, was the most
audacious burglar Of his day. His
skill and boldness had drawn around
him a picked lot of clever criminals,
staunch men, all of them, and adopts
at their calling.
"We, in Maine, had heard little a
bout their operations until they vlsl-
| tedthe town OF Penniwell,a dozen miles
FROM Bolton, and broke into the
vault of it's bank They had secured
most of the money when an alarm was
raised and they were compelled to fly.
All of them escaped, except Navy. La
den. as he was, with the bulk OF the
spoils, he nearl, eluded his puruers by
running to cover in the ravlnes OF Col
uuatt mountain. There, before he
was brought to pay, he safely con
cealed his plunder; and, to this day,it
has never been found
"Cf course a reward was offered"
said Frarie
Certainly The Pennlwell money
is as seductive 10 the people OF that Vi
cinity as Capt. Kidd's gold, and even
now they will not allow a stranger to
60 upon the mountain side alone. L.
was useless to question Navy. He was
true to his associates as long as he lily
ed; and unusual precautions were ia
ken to prevent his sending them any
message"
How did You come to know HIM z"
L used to do some charitable work
at that time especially in the Bolton
prison, where he was confined"
Come, Hall, let him aloner Frarie
interposed. "We want to hear abous
the burglar.
Il had been in and out for months
before / saw Navy: but at last the
warden gained confidence in my dis
cretion and, after an explicit warning
volunteered to take me to the cOnvlct's
cell.
Navy is crafty old fellow he ad
monished me- Don't repeat word
that he says! He will try to use You
when Won least suspect it
"We found the prisocer sitting by
the door, with his grizzled head rest
ing upon his hands. Weary, dogged
endurance was craven in every line OF
his face He frightened upon our en-
trance, and, with slight twinkle of
the eyes, locked me over humorously.
By that one glance he had probed my
inexperience, and, after the warden's
departure. he warily tested his con
clusionS.
This is very kind he began,
smoothly. 1t is pleasant to meet a
gentleman of your cloth. l suppose
you would like me to repent of my
evil ways?'
1 had not thought of it, | ans
wered, curtly. Would you prefer to
see a clergyman
Navy turned quickly upon me- 1
thought you were one of them he eX
claimed.
mot at all | came here with
merely human interest in you
"Surised as he was, Navy quickly
recovered his poise.
Now. | call that kind he said,
with touch of feeling. Just because
I'm a human being that's lonely and
needs company. That does me good
If | wasn't wearing these stripes, I'd
offer you my hand on thatr'
'Of course, he made 20 motion to
do SO; but l promptly put ont my
hand.
Thank your he SAID, giving it "a
firm clasp. 1t seems good to meet a
gentleman again
You have few visitors l sug-
gested
You are the first outsider, excer-
ting the Penniwell people. There's
the chaplain; he wants me to be sorry
for my sins Lord, I'm no hypocrite.
he broke out, scornfully. Cracking
safes is my profession, and if I was
free la be at it again. I've talked
with the warden, but be hasn't par
| ticle of sympathy with nv feelings.