Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-29

you don't mind I'd rather you'd use it,"
"Why, certainly, if you desire it,"
said Mr.. Mitchell. But what is the
difference"
This seemed TO be n poser for sam,
who shifted uncasily a moment,
searching for satisfactory reply,
(which finally shaped itself thus:
"Well. you sec, | amt no scholar. so
= ain't good Mt definitions. I've spent so
much time in jail an the prison libra>
ny, as a rule, is SO mcagCr that |
might say my education's been neglect
ed But there's a point of difference
chat has weight here tonight, an that
can tell you. You see, criminals is
what the Judges calls us, an crooks is
what we calls ourselves. Are you on?"
Not fully. Make it palmer"
"Why, don't you sec, if ono of this
crowd heard you talkin about Grim
inals' he'd twig you in "A minute? He'd
know YOU wasn't a crook yourself,
on that'd be bad
"Ah, yes. of course. Evidently the
less l have to say the less likely will
be to get into trouble by making uis-
takcs.'
Yes. but don't talk too little neither.
If you're too still, they'll be on to you
5ust as quick as if you open your trap
toe wide. But YOU was askin if these
men are all crooks. Yes sir an Il
more skillrullcr crowd in their way
don't exist. Now there's man over
there by the roulette, the chap with
the long tailed coat an the chultcr.
Size him up, du what do you make his
totalt"
40 you mean what position in life
would | accord to him? We'll. that is
not an easy problem at any time and
Alnder present circumstances it be
comes doubly difficult Yet l must con-
ScsS that he seems strangely out of
Nlacc here. for do you knov-it may
snake you laugh to hear il l should
sahp him for Salvation Army man
say. mister. you're a bird, YOU are,
a regular eagle for scCin into things.
Cooks like Salvation Army. does hcF
We'll, that's precisely his lay. You
ought to hear him lcadin Il mcctin an
7akjn lambs into the fold Oh, dear,
out he's saved more souls than we've
got fingers an toes But, then. for all
that, he's got another business on the
side Give a guess at that. What would
you say was his regular profession
now? How does he livcE'
Judging by his earnestness at pres
snt. he might be a card sharp" ven
kurcd Mr.. Mitchell
sharp? You're right enough when
you speak that word But not cards. No,
sir. ne never touches en-. He's Just
amusn himself at that wheel, but he'll
leave it pretty soon. No, sir; he's a
fence an the best known in the city an
never been even suspected by the po-
sicc much less arrested. Oh, yes; he's
sharp Well. guess"
IN this strain Sam rambled on, point
ing out the various prominent crimi-
mall in the apartment and giving
graphic details of their careers, so that
MI Mitchell was enjoying himself
hugely and at the same time obtaining
quite an insight into the habits of a
class which had always interested him
to wit, the uncaptured criminals.
Surely among these were those with
the greater share of brains.
But the more he saw and heard of
the men around him the more impa-
fient he grew to see Preacher Jim, the
man who had announced that he would
lecture to criminals upon crime
The Siren had passed far beyond the
lights of the city, and COncy Island $
thousands of electric lamps made but
a bright streak on the horizon. when at
last there was Il movement which
promised the fulfllmcnt of his desire
Tho card tables were taken away by
attendants who seemed to have been
drilled to the task. so rapidly did they
accomplish it. Camp stools were ar
ranged in rows. and the company
found places facing one table which
had been left ut the farther end of the
saloon.
IL the inevitable confusion attendant
upon this scramble for seats, orderly
though it was. Mr. Mitchell was scpa
ratcd from sam for n moment. JUS
then some one whispered near his ear
"if YOU should need help, Ill be OF
hand
Mr.. Mitchell turned swiftly but coulc
not be sure of the identity of the speak
Cr The person nearest to him was on
of the walters, hurrying by with
1rayful of empty glasses while at u lit
tie distance back was man who an
pcared to be watching shin intently
Either of these might have spoken III
whispered words, but which? MI
Mitchell reasoned that it must be thi
one who was still eying him closely
vet he could not dismiss the idea tina
the voice though disguised, was famil
Gar to his ear.
Il wonder if Mr.. Barnes is aboard
ne thought. and this suspicion for
few moments occupied him so thOl
uughly that he forgot about the othe
man until aroused by sam, who had rC
gained his side, bringing two choic
stools with backs to them.
"There he is" said that worthy, wit
suppressed excitement
"There is who?" asked Mr.. Mitchell.
"Why Preacher jim, of course" sal
Sam. Sec! He's takin his place benin
thc table. He's goin to begin at one,
Aistenr
Mr.. Mitchell looked toward the OF
positc end of the room, and in lrcacl
or Jim he recognized the man VIII
had been watching him but a few I'M
mcuts before Had he uttered the my