Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-07-20


upon his hands. Weary, logged endur-
ance was craven in every line of his
face. He frightened upon our entrance
and with slight twinkle of the eyes
looked me over humorously. By that
one glance he had probed my inexperi-
ence, and after the warden's departure
he warily tested his conclusions.
"'This is very kind, he began
smoothly. 1T is pleasant to meet gen.
tleman of your cloth. 1 suppose you
would like me to repent of my evil
ways?'
'"'I had not thought of it, answer.
ed CURLY. Would you prefer to see q
Clergyman
"Navy turned quickly upon me. I
thought you were one of themP he ex-
claimed.
Not at all. came here with mere
~ human interest in you.
Surprised as he was, Navy quickly
recovered his poise.
Nov, I call that kind!' he said,
with touch Of feeling. Just because
I'm human being that's lonely and
ao> as company! That does me good. II
| wasn't wearing these stripes, I'd offer
you my hand on thatP
''Of course he made no motion to do
SO, but promptly put out my hand.
"'Thank your he said, giving it a
firm clasp. 1T seems good to meet gen.
tleman again.
You have few visitors?' l sug-
gested.
You are the first outsider, except
ing 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 was free I'd be at
it again. I've talked some with the
warden, but he hasn't particle of sym.
pathy with my feelings He only shakes
his head and says, "Ah, John, we ought
to have caught you long ago' Now, 1
call that kind of wet blanket on
mans professional enthusiasm, don't
your
II smiled and assented readily. He
was such fascinating old sinner.
:" So you are driven back upon your
memories? I remarked.
That's just it, 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
I get blue sitting here alone, bark
back to some time when / outwitted the
Offioars and 4 hoo rtaps mo xpop1orf1l1y
"Then he paused moment. 4 won
der if you would be interested to hear
of such matters?' be asked doubtfully.
Indeed would! was my instant
response. DO you mind if use this?
Sometimes Iwrite 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!' he
declared. Why, l could give you stories
to write until your hair is grayi
Nothing could please me better,
said I.
Will you put in my own name?'
he asked eagerly.
Certainly, if you wish me to-
"Navy seemed gratified. we'll re-
the delightful animation with
which he began 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-
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
to the killing monotony of prison life,
but at last l discovered that he was
brooding over some scheme which he
was half ashamed to propose. One day
frankly inquired what was on his |
mind.
" I've got notion that I'd like to |
write out one of my stories myself, he |
with some diffidence. its
Ill folly maybe, but it would do me
good to try
sit did seem droll, but he was such
4 genial. open hearted old fellow that
It would have been cruel not to humor
him. On my next visit we carried out
MS project, and never had seen him
10 cheerful and happy as when he hand
ID me his completed manuscript-1-z---
1t would do me good to have that
sek, L. 4