Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-19

he warily tested bis conclusions.
| "'This Is very kind he bcgar
smoothly. 1t is pleasant to meet gen
tleman Of your cloth. suppose yor
would like me TO repent OF my evil
ways?'
81 had not thought Of II, answer
cd curtly. Would you prefer to see 9
Clergyman
Navy turned quickly upon me. i
thought you were one Of them 7 he ex
claimed.
"'Not st all. I came here with mere
ly human interest in you.
Surprised as he was, Navy quickly
recovered his poise.
Now. call that kindP he said,
with touch Of feeling. Just because
I'm a human being that's lonely and
needs company! That does me good. II
| wasn't wearing these stripes, I'd Offer
You my hand on that'
"Of course he made no motion to dc
so, but promptly put ont my hand.
"'Thauk your he said, giving IL
firm clasp 1t seems good to meet gen.
tleman again.
"'You have . few visitorsi' sug.
gested.
"'You are the first outsider, except
Ing the Penpiwell 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 IL was free I'd be at
IL 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,
call that a kind Of wet blanket on a
mans professional enthusiasm, don't
your
II smiled GEd assented readi,y. He
was such fascinating old sinnsr.
80 you are driven back upon your
memories?' remarked.
| That's Just il. and comforting 3
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 q great consolation to
look back ON a successful career. When
get blue sitting here alone, hark
back to some time when outwitted the
officers, and IL heartens me wonderfully.
"Then he paused o moment Il won
der IL you would be interested to hear
| Of such matters?' he asked doubtfully.
"'Indeed wouldp was my instant
response DO You mind II use tbisi
Sometimes | write stories for the maga'
zines.
Navy was interested at once.
How do you make outY he asked
critically
Poorly enough 30 far.
Lord What you need Is life' be
declared. Why. could give you stories
to write until your hair Is gray!
Nothing could please me better.
said l.
Will yon put in my own manner
he asked eagerly.
Certainly. II you wish me to-.
Navy seemed gratified. l well re-
member the delightful animation with
which he began story Of one Of hi,
earlier escapades. wrote il out care
fully, and after that I often visited
him, quite Us 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 man oi
his stamp should be so concerned l laid
to the killing monotony OF prison life,
but at last l discovered that he war
brooding over some scheme which he
was half ashamed to propose. One day
I frankly inquired what was on hl'
mind.
I've got notion that I'd like tC
write out enc Of my stories myself, be
confessed, with some difiidence. 'lt's
all folly maybe, but IL would do me-
good to try.
at did seem droll, but he was such
q genial, open hearted old fellow that
IL would have been cruel not TO hCmoI
him. On my next visit We carried out
his project. and never had seen him
30 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 Inc
with open kindliness You may find
mistakes in it. but don't make any
changes. Let it go. title aud all. just
as it is. You see. it Is my own work
THAT was my last meeting with
John Navy I carried bis story home
and read it. but saw that it would bs
quite useless for publication unless
some journal would take it AZ news
Yet with all its faults there were Ger
tain novel expressions scattered through
it which could hardly be improved.
"In order to preserve these bits cop
led the whole manuscript for my owI
benefit It vas short-a matter Of two
columns only-and was Oh the point
Of sending il to one Of the New Yori
dailies when l remembered my promise
to the warden.
1.-THE story seemed perfectly harm
less. Still there was my promise, and
after some indecision about suppressine
the manuscript entirely felt that
must give il up The warden listened
rather triumphantly to my explanation.
"'I told you Navy would try to ust
you, he said grufily. We will keep q
strict watch after this.
"He 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 il conceited. He wants to keeI
his name before the profession.
81 remarked that the story was fair
ly we'll told.
"'Oh, yes, he Is smart enough and
would be dangerous fellow ut large
It's lucky for the whole country that
we have him behind the bars. As fol
this stuff, it doesn't really amount tt
anything, but we can't let it 60 ou'
while the man lives; thanks TO yor
Just the same.
''That was rather hard on tho anbi
tious old codger, observed Hall.
IAN you could do nevertheless
said Frarie.
1T seemed 10 to me, PaiEe contin
ned. "Yet felt mean about II and di'
not visit the prison again. This fell ou
the more naturally because matters o
business were occupying my time. ant
within fortnight ! had removed from
Bolton to this city.
| where is your copy Of Navy's sto
r., Kep:" asked Jack Hall.
"It ia still at nv old home. / gullet