The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27

cast no more shadder than Hamlets ghost.
they sent him up here. and tried to stun him
with hospital rations like a strassbury goose.
But twerent no use. 1 was born and bred
respectable he said; and can't stand thief
And he turned his face to the wall and crooked.
You remember him. don't you, Jake2"
'Oh, yes" replied Jake. the hospital steward;
my comb and brush in there used TO belong to
him
is that tho only instance you ever had OF
like sensibility1" asked the old Colonel.
Il never had but that one case Of shock and
shame from association" said Jake. after .
moments reflection but there was young
fellow here. let me see. was it that time was
transferred from Elmiryp We'll, at any rate. he
was likely looking young chap. high conneo-
tons and all that, who mourned himself to
death because he was 30 widely branded as .
thief never did take much stock in long
drawn stories OF put-up Jobs. no of1ense. Col
onel.-but do believe he was innocent Why
should the son OF rich man. who was wild over
poetry and with his head chock full OF the glory
he was going to gain by book he had Just
published, go into snide bond game How
over. he was convicted and having plenty Of
influence. and being delicate. the old man sent
him up here until he could get his nerve Out
OF the same conside ration he let him have all
the IN all that arrived for him; Lord. no ono in
the office had the time or the nerve to read the
everlasting letters he got from his mother and
sisters. Well. one day. there came q long en-
velope. well-stufred out. with clipping COM
pany' on the outside My. but 1t was a sight
to see his eyes sparkle. and his cheeks get red
when gave 1t to him They've como at last,
Jake says he; the criticisms Of the press ON
my book. I'll let you look them over with me.
and II they're favorable. III say I'm lucky. no
matter whore l am You see. Colonel. he
kinder cottoned to me. l don't know why"
mo" remarked smithers. 1T 10 easier to
guess why you kinder cottoned to him"
1T seems. Colon ell" Jake went on. ignoring
the interruption. Tho had subscribed Just be-
fore his trial to one OF those companies that
send you any mention OF yourself in tho news
papers. and this was tho first batch. Well
with his mind full OF literary notices, he opened
the package; and his lip trembled and his
cheek grow pale as he examined one clipping
after another. His trial had attracted consider
able attention. and the papers. IL seems, had
been full Of 1t. Them notices. Colonel. we're all
on one subject. and l tell you they werent
kind There was no mention Of his poetry,
except an occasional jibe such as that he
had brought disgrace upon noble profession
by hts ridiculous pretensions. But his crime
and the certainty that he was guilty had been
heraided broadcast. made ten times moro mo-
torious by the book he had published. That 10
what he read. when his poor heart was
Astounding with ambition: and that Is what
sent the blood gurgling from his lips and him
fainting in my arms. My name Is not writ in
water he moaned 1t is indelibly set In miro
I've always rem en- bered that Colonel; but
wonder what 1t means"
Il know" said the old Colonel, shaking his
head drearily.
well. hs name was mud at any rate" con-
oluded Jake, for he never braoed up. but Just
49, H. I~~l t..sw NhA ANrHx-
tains and muttering bits Of verse to himself,
until one morning. four hallmen came and bore
his poor body downstairs to the wagon. and
that was the end OF the poet and his
| dreams. He was a likely young chap, and a. I
| said cottoned wonderfully to me-"
Left you all his things. I s'pose. Jakef"
asked smithers.
Certainly he did," replied Jake with dignity.
| He couldn't take them with him. could he p
| Come. Colonel" said smithers. observing
that tho old man was downhearted. keep
| your courage up; lot me tell you there are
plenty OF mon hero Jest tiokled half to death
| to be convicted as thieves. You know. don't
you. that country justice OF the peace gifts his
pay In fees, 80 much for DRAWN a warrant. so
much for trial. 80 much for a record Of con-
| viction. and leastwise that q country constable
| gifts so much mileage for brngin' In a prisoner
| TO this blessed playhouse. Well. II you
don't know you ought to take q ooorse Of law
like the rist Of US. At any rate. when all the
| buns. short-term men. tramps. sailors and
hoboes who likes to lay up here winters. want
to git q good sure dose. what do they do but GO
to q little country town about twenty miles from
| here and notify the constable that they're
ready for business. He treats each one with
urbanity. naming his rates; he will give sc
| much for a simple drunk. so much more for q
petit larceny case. We'll. sposing the bum
wants to git at least three mont to carry him
through the winter: the constable whaoks uI
say one round shot. SO his customer can have 9
good. square. blowout and then he brings our
little old clock. and lays 1t on the table with Z
wink and gits out OF the room. Say. Kunnel
that same clock has been stolen 30 many
times. that believe it could tiok out an after
davit for warrant itself. II amy one would
listen to II. The bum. then. puts the clock II
his tail pocket and goes of on hi
hurrah. aud the constable. he goel
and notifies the Justice to b,
ready to dissolve hfssef into a spicial sissior
OF the peace on moments notice. When thu
constable comes home. he misses his clock
and s'prising as 1t may seem. he suspects hi
Visitor Of thu morning. So he straightwa!
swears out o warrant aGin' him for theft. H
! has no difficulty in lndin' him; there's onl!
one saloon IN the place. kept by the constable
brother in w and should he have wandered
snywheres to sleep IL of. he can be aisily traoet
by the clock Itself which has a GU ckoo attach
ment. and oan pay hide and seek and I Spy
to beat the band. So. the inwariabie sequi Is
that the constable gifts his mileage. and tn
Judge gits his fees and the bum gifts hi
three monts Of sleerin' dry. and luxuriatng o.
double watered soup. and all are happy foreve
arter and that's what they call the orderly ad
mtnstration Of Justice In the rural deestricts.
Your stories are all very intereetin0
smlthers," said the Colonel. but they lack tn
personal quality How about yoursslf for N
stance2 Iforiminals in variabty betSAy one 90
other, you must have had some such adven
ture. either to your own detriment or that G
your associates1"
Il never have gone out and tslephonSt
: Kunnel. like Jake here" replied SmitherI
but did have remarkable adventur' onct
that landed me In the cooler for a Ave and
! halfer, and II knowd who l had to thank 70
the same I'd expriss my gratitude not b
words but by deeds, as the gospel sharp ad
! vsed last Sunda'. 1t was years ago. whe
] was young and foolish and ready to tr