Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-07-14

II think I'll lock him up for a day OF I
two. 1t will make him civil"
81 wish, said Kent, you'd lock me |
up with him for half an hour. If
don't make any headway then, III |
give up the job and go back"
The next day the governors family
went to a church picnic and Kent ac-
companied them. lie proved on this
occasion TO be the life of the little
party. There seemed to be nothing
that he could not do, from making an
omclctte in the woods to making
speech to the children. The governor
was really quite proud of his guest.
Kent had now been three days inside
the prison jurisdiction, and how well
he had improved his time appeared
afterwards, When they were coming
home from the picnic he told Mrs,
Ixtel that he had overstayed his time
and must finish up his business on the
morrow, If the governor would lock
him up with Laport he thought he
could make the fellow confidential,
The upshot of all this was that on
the fourth day Kent was taken to La
ports cell, carrying nothing but
pencil and pad which the governor had
furnished him, and jocularly remark
ing as he was going through the cor
ridor that they ought to search him
first, for he might have some files about
him and let that rascal out to teach the
world a golden silence.
The governor laughed, as he now did
at almost everything Kent said and
only remarked: 'If he gets away from
me, I'll take all the blame"
"All right" rejoined Kent, but, as
you value human life, don't forget to
let me out inside of the half hour.
Make it twenty minutes"
They entered the cell together La
port was sitting on the stone floor with
his head between his knees. lie
neither rose nor looked up as they came
in. The place was dimly lit by one
embrasure. 1t was furnished with an
iron pallet and pail.
Kent went toward the light and
looked at large gold watch. 'It is
ten minutes of ten" he said. "Give
! me JlII quarter past
Laport looked up and addressed him
self to the governor;
'Are you going to put this lunatic
on me?" he said, "till | knock my
brains out against these walls?'
The best way to get rid of him, "
replied the governor, lis to treat him
civilly. He doesn't want to annoy
you, and he comes from some of your
friends"
YES" said Kent, you can treat me
confdentially. The governor is going
to leave us together for a few moments.
If you will answer some of my qucs-
tions can be of service to you"
Laport dropped his head between his
hands. The governor gave a shrug
and turned to the door. I've heard of
squeezing pig-lead out of sponge" he
said. Its holiday work to squeezing
that old bundle of scrap-iron."
For Gods sake, don't forget me
when the times up" said Kent, and
sat down on the iron bed.
The governor then went out Kent
heard the great bolt shot with an iron
clang.
Now then" he said 80 that the
Governor could hear him on the other
side of the door if he listened This
is the last chance I've got to talk tc
you, my friend. If you Will tell me
what want to know it will secure
you the influence of powerful friends,
He listened. He heard the retreat
ing footsteps of the governor in the
corridor, He sprang softly but quickly
to the iron door and put his ear down
The governor was some distance
away.
Laport looked up with something
, like a momentary interest in thu
p strange actions.
To BE CONTINUED.