Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-18

CHll IDdJ KIM VI WtJ ulauhcJ VII "
mans professional enthusiasm, don't
you?
II smiled and assented readily. He
was such fascinating old sinner.
80 you are driven back upon your
memories?' / remarked.
"'Thats just 1t, and comforting
they are too. You would be surprised to
know of the fortunes I've made. Well,
everything is gone now, and I'm laid on
the shelf, but it's great consolation to
look back on successful career. When
get blue sitting here alone, bark
back to some time when | outwitted tho
officers, and it heartens me wonderfully.
"Then he paused moment Il Won
der if you would be interested to hear
of such matters? he asked doubtfully.
"'Indeed l wouldp was my instant
response. DO you mind if use this?
Sometimes / write stories for the maya
zines
Navy was interested at once.
How do you make out; he asked
critically
" Poorly enough SO far.
Lord What you need is life no
declared. why, could give you stories
to write until your hair is grayp
Nothing could please me better
said l.
will you put in my own nalno?'
he asked eagerly.
"Certainly, if You wish me to.
"Navy seemed gratified. | well re-
member the delightful animation with
which he began a story of one of his
earlier escapades. wrote it out care
fully, and after that | often visited
him, quite as much for my own advan-
taso 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 l laid
to tho killing monotony of prison life,
but at last | discovered that he was
brooding over some scheme which he
was half ashamed to propose. One day
frankly Inquired what was on his
mind.
L" I've got notion that I'd like to
write out ono Of my stories myself, no
confessed, with Some ditlidcnco. It's
all folly maybe, hut it would do me
good to try.
at did seem droll, but no was such
a genial, open hearted old fellow that
| it would have been cruel not to humor
him. On my next visit we carried out
his project, and never had | seen him
20 cheerful and happy as when he hand
ed me his completed manuscript.
" 1t would do me good to have that
published, he said, smiling upon mo
with open kipdlincss. You may find
mistakes in it, but don't make any
changes. Let it 60, title and all, just
as it is. You see, it is my own work.
THAT was my last meeting with
John Navy. carried his story home
and read it, but l saw that it would be
| quite useless for publication unless
some journal would take it as news.
Yet with all its faults there were GER
tain novel expressions scattered through
it which could hardly be improved.
''ln order to preserve these bits COP
led the whole manuscript for my own
benefit. 1t was short-a matter of two
columns only-and l was on the point
of sending it to one Of the New York
dailies when l remembered my promise
to the warden.
1.-THE story seemed perfectly harm
less Still there was my promise, and
after some INDIGESTION about suppressing
the manuscript entirely felt that
must give it up. The warden listened
rather triumphantly to my explanation.
"'I told you Navy would try to use
you, he said grufily. we will keep q
strict watch after this.
Gle ran over the story hastily and
with evident disappointment.
"'Pshaw There's nothing about the
Penniwell case here, he exclaimed
This affair happened dozen years ago.
Navy is conceited. He wants TO keel
his name before the profession.
81 remarked that the story was fair
ly well told.
"'Oh, yes, he is smart enough ant
would be dangerous fellow at large
It's lucky for the whole country tina
we have him behind the bars AS fol
this stuff, it doesn't really amount t.
anything, but we can't let it go on
while the man lives; thanks to yol
just the same,
THAT was rather hard on the ambi
tious old codger," observed Hall.
"All you could do nevertheless, :
said Frarie.
lit seemed so to me-" Paine contin
ued "Yet felt mean about it and dit
not visit the prison again. This fell GU
the more naturally because matters o
business were occupying my time, an,
within fortnight | had removed iron
Bolton to this city"
"Where is your copy of Navy's ste
ry, KEEP" asked Jack Hall.
1T is still ut my old home. l culle
out what wanted to 90 with my othe
: notes. There were some parts whic
did not seem so bright on second read
= ing"
s Frarie arose, and Ticking away a par
ticle of cigarette ash he took up his hat
5 "There may be call for more Of Ma
t WIS adventures, he said. II advis
e you not to kill off the old man unit
o you have exhausted your material. b
the way, / inferred that he was dead
n Is that sou
: "He died in prison more than yea
u ago. Not until then did feel at liber
i ty TO write him up,
well, good night Como on, Hall.
= On the afternoon of the next day
a while Paine was busy at his desk,
strnuUpr Nvas shoxup m his roOpl nv th