Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-06-10
The jOhD NQVy h0IlNSCIIDIS.
By CHARLES W. HARDWOOD.

I(QpyI1gnts 1870, DS tiie <AutHDtsJ
Kepler Paine had swung his chair
around facing his guests, but his hand
still rested affeetionately On copy Of
The Maxima, which lay open upon his
desk. There was an air of entire salts
faction on Paine's face. The Maxima
was just out that day, and it contained
story which he had written 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 eomplexioned man was Frarie, al
ways cool, self possessed and critical.
With quiet but friendly greeting he
sat down and helped himself to ciga-
rette from Paine's 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.
~ should say sou exclaimed Jack
Hall. Il call john Nays Confession
the best thing out this yearlp
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 one
you picked them up somewhere, Paine. !"
"There is story about that, Erarie
John Navy was an actual burglar whom
/ used to know when lived III 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 ao-
quainted with your interesting friend?"
Tell us about it if you don't mind, I"
added Frarie.
lyon may have heard IF the PENN.
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.
oious burglar of his day. His skill and
holiness had drawn around him pfek.
ed lot Of clever criminals, stanch men,
all of them, and adopts at their calling
1--WE in 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
eludsd his pursuers by running to COW
er in the ravines of Colquatt mountain.
There, before be 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 Penniwell money is
as seductive to the people of that vicin-
ity as Captain Kidd's gold, and even
now they will not allow a stranger to
go up ON the mountain side alone. 1t
was useless to question Navy. He was
true to his associates as long as he lived,
and unusual precautions were taken to
prevent his sending them any message. "
How did you come to know himY'
Il used TO do some charitable work
at that time, especially in the Bolton
prison, where he was confined.
did you reform any criminals"
Jack Hall skeptically inquired.
"Come Hall, let him alone, " Frarie
interposed. eve want to hear about the
burglar.
Il had been in and out for months be-
fore saw Navy, bat at last the warden
gained confidence in my discretion and
after an explicit warning volunteered to
take me to the conviot's cell.
Navy is a crafty old fellow, be
admonished me. Don't repeat a word
that he says. He will try to use you
when you least suspect it.
1--WE found the prisoner sitting by
the door, with his grizzled head resting
= ~.