The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-01-21
memories | remarked.


Well, everything is gone now. and I'm
laid on he shelf; but its great con-
ISOLATION to look back on successful
career. When l get blue, sitting he re
a'one, bark back to some time when
| outwitted the officers, and it hear
tens me wonderfully
Then he paused moment. Il
wonder if you would be Interested to
hear Of such matters?' 2 he asked. doubt
fully.
" Indeed | wouldr was ny instant
response. Do You mind if use this
Someti.ne>' | write stories for the ma
gazlnes'
Navy was interested at once
How 90 You make out?'hc asked.
critically.
" Poorly enough. so far
" Lord, what yon neeed is lifen be
declared. Why, | could give you sto-
ries to print until vour hair is gray
Nothing could please me better.
said l.
"'Wlll you put in my own name?'
Z" certainly, if you wish me to-
Navy seemed gratified. l we'll re-
member the delightful animation with
which he began story of one of his
earlier escapades. | wrote it out care
fully; and, after that l often visited
him: quite as much for my own advan
tage as for his
Meanwhile my notes kept pace with
his stories, and Navy showed the ut
most interest in them. That a man
of his stamp should be so concerned, |
LAID 10 the killing monotony of prison
life; but at last [ discovered that be
was broodlng over some scheme which
he was half ashamed to propose. One
day l frankly inquired what was On his
mind.
" I've got notion that I'd like to
write out one of my stories my
SELF he confessed, with some diff
dence, It's all folly, maybe, but it
would do me good to try
at did seem droll, but he was such
a genial, open hearted old fellow that
1t would have been cruel not to humor
him. On my next visit we carried out
ont his project, and never had | seen
him SO cheerful and happy as when he
handed me his completed manuscript
1t would do me good to have that
published he said, smiling upon me
with oyen kindliness. You may find
mistakes il it; but don't make any
changes, Let it go, title and all, Just
as 1t is. You see, 1t is my own work.
That was my last meeting with
John Navy. / carried his story home
and read 1t, but | saw that 1t would be
quite useless for publication unless
some journal would take it as news
Yet, with all it's faults there were Ger
tain novel expressions scattered throng
it which could hardly be improved.
In order to preserve these bits, / Co
pied the whole manuscIist for my own
benefit. 1t vas shCrt-a matter oftwo
columns only-and | was on the point
of sending it to one of the New York
dailies when remembered mypromise
to the warden.
The story seemed perfectly harm
less. Still, there was my promise; and,
after some indecision about suppress
sing the manuscript entirely, / felt
that | must give it up. The warden
listened rather trlumphantly to my ex-
p,anation.
- told you Navy would try to use
YOU he said, gruffly. we will keep
q strict watch after this
lie ran over the story hastily and
with evident disappointment
"'Pshaw. there's nothing about the
Penniwell case here" he exclaimed.
This affair happened a dozen years
ago! Navy is conceited He wants TO
keep his name before the profession
L remarked that the story was far
ly we'll told
Oh, yes, he is smart enough. and
would be dangerous fellow at large.
It's lucky for the whole country that
we have him behind the bars. AS for
this stuff it doesn't really amount to
but we can't let it go out
while the man lives Thanks to YOU.
just the same
That was rather hard on the ambi
tious old codger," observed Hall.
"All you could do. nevertheless"
said Frarie.
1T seemed so to me-" Paine contin-
ued Yet | felt mean about it and
did not visit the prison again. This
fell out the more naturally, because
matters Of business We're occupying
my time, and within fortnight / had
from Bolton to this city"
Nv here is your copy of Navy's sto-
ry. kept?' asked Jack Hall.
1t is still at my old home. [ culled
out what L wanted, to go with my 9th
er notes. There wore some parts
which dld not seem SO bright, Oh sec
ond reading
Frarie arose and took up his hat.
There may be call for more of
Nays adventures, he said. | advise
you not to kill off the old man until
you have exhausthd your material. By
the-way, [ inferred that he was dead.
Is that so2
He died in prison more than year
ago. Not until then did l feel at lib
erty to write him up.
Well, good night. Come on Hall.
On the afternoon of the next day,
while Paine was busy at bis desk. a
stranger was shown to his loom by
the landlady. Paine whirled his chair
around and rose u greet him.
The stranger shot quick, penetra-
ting glance at his host and bowed min
gled with Difference and assurance.
He was dressed expensively, and a
slight swagger in his bearing indicated
that he was conscious of bringing his
welcome in his pocket.
Sporting man." thought Paine
what does he want of me7'
Are you kepler Paine?" asked the
newcomer, with much suavity.
Il am"
Then you wrote John Navy's Con
fesslon' which has jnst appeared in
the Maxima?
Il did," Paine answered with a smi
lie. Take chair, Mir, Have