Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-18
The John N0Vy Manuscripts.
BY CHARLES W. HARDWOOD.
copyright 1898. by the Author.l

Copyright 1898, by the Authorl
Kepler Paine had swung his chair
around facing his guests, but his hand
still rested affectionately on copy of
The Maxima, which lay open upon his
desk. There was an air of entire salts
faction on Paino's face. The Maxima
was just out that day, and it contained
a story which he had written n year be-
fore, the first Of his stories which that
magazine had deigned to accept.
Jack Hall was lying upon the lounge
with pipe in his mouth, and Frarie
had just entered the room. A thin faced,
dark complexioned man was Frarie, al
ways cool, self possessed and critical.
With quiet but friendly greeting no
sat down and helped himself tc ciga-
rette from Paines box. Frarie wrote
the book reviews for The Polygon,
II looked over your story in the ad-
vance sheets" he remarked, blowing
out a cloud Of smoke II gave you three
lines. There are good points about that
story, Paine. Your burglar is undenia
bly, strong"
L
HALL. Il call John Nays Confession
he best thing out this yearl"
Hall was an artist, not literary
man.
Eyes, there are some things in it
which are really bright" Frarie admit.
ted. "They have character. Ten to ono
you picked thom up somewhere, Paine. !"
"There is 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 table
to shake out his pipe and refill it,
keep I've heard just enough about
that old burglar to make me curious, !"
he said abruptly. How did you get ac-
quainted with your interesting friend:"
Tell us about it if you don't mind, :"
added Frarie.
lyon may have heard of the Penni-
we'll bank robbery, which occurred about
seven years ago." Paine began. 1.-The
Navy gang made that break. Its leader,
old John Navy, was the most auda-
cious burglar Of his day. His skill and
holiness had drawn around him a pick
ed lot of clever criminals, stanch men,
all of them, and adopts at their calling,
I'VE III Maine had heard little about
their operations until they visited the
town of Penniwell, dozen miles from
Bolton, and broke into the vault of its
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. Laden as he was
with the bulk Of the spoils, he nearly
eluded his pursuers by running to Gov
err in the ravines Of Colquatt mountain.
There, before he was brought to bay, he
safely concealed his plumber, and to this
day it has never been found"
"Of course a reward was offered, "
said Frarie.
Certainly. The Pcnniwell money is
as seductive to the people CT that vicin.
ity as Captain Kidd's gold, and even
now they will not allow a stranger to
80 mp on the mountain side alone II
was useless to question Navy. He was
true to his associates us long as he lived,
and unusual precautions were taken tt
prevent his sending them any message
'How did you como to know himt"
81 used to do some charitable worl
at that time, especially III the Boltor
prison, where he was confined.
did you reform any criminals?
Jack Hall specifically inquired.
Come, Hail. let him alone" Frari,
interposed. 1--WE want to hear about tn,
burglar"
II had been in and out for months be
fore saw Navy, but at last the wardei
gained confidence in my discretion, ant
after an explicit warning volunteered t.
take me to the convicts cell.
Navy is crafty old fellow, h.
admonishcd me. Don't repeat n wore
that he says He will try to use 20,
when you least suspect it,
eve found the prisoner sitting b,
the door, with his grizzled head resting