The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-08


guardian OF the hide: and then he un-
barred and unlocked the door and VAN
ished, leaving the rope still dangling from
the chimney stack above. lie had 10 40
10 the lnfirmary TO get Mr.. Barclays ad-
dress, so IL was past midnight when ne
arrived az that gentieman's house. anu
saying that he must see him. When he
did appear, that gentleman was aston
ished to see his ronsh-looking visitor pro- pro-
chain so violently wrenched from him
night or two before
II thought ] could get It. II tried des--
pera te hard" said Gouger lightly. 'and /
managed H. though IL was tougher JOB
than looked for. WAS near. croaking a
and I've brought them To you safe and
sound. except a break In the chain. wnlch
you'll get put right for twopence or three
Mr.. Barclay received his treasured
watch and gazed at the strange msitor ,td
whether 10 smile or cry.
You are a noble fellow" he said at
last. wringing Gougers hand with impul-
ht for better things than a mere proving
yagabOnd and thief. liable TO be seized at
any mcment Say the word and III get
you work. good post-a position Of re-
spectability aud trust with friends OF my
own, IN q place where no one could pos
sibly know anything of your past NE. II
robbed or such energy and msnllness!'
The man was moved--possibiy more
deeply than he cared 10 show. for he did
not speak Tor a moment or two. and when
he did. his voice was thick and hoarse
with emotion; but his answer was none
the less firm and prompt.
II thank you, sir from the bottom OF
my heart. Tor the offer. IL is the first
time such Kindness has been shown me.
that he seemed for the time a different
man; but cannot accept it'll dare not.
Think what / am, and have been. Ny
mother, my sisters and brothers-ali my
We were trained e 1t from infancy: we
robbery are part OF my being. as much
as my bones and flesh. / could not shake
II of now: | would only disgrace you.
I'm return for your kindness. i could not
DE honest though / would"
Protests and reasoning on the part or
Mr. Barclay were alike useless. Gouger
heard them all respectfully. but firmly re-
peated his answer. and left the house.
The next time Mr.. Barclay saw him he
Dave Binnie. the fence. was furious
when. he rourned TO his place In the
bery y oaxsp e could S the sey
nounce Gouger for that, but he happened
10 know the particulars of another rob
ing part, and these he lost no time i'm
In the Inflrmary to which he had gone
with a jelly cake to his boy: and. con-
trary TO his usual practice. he made no
resistance, and the four men had taken
with me were not required. Indeed. Gou-
though he promptly denounced Dave. and
revealed all the particulars OF the case
as ] have put them down; The ,conse-
quence was that, though Dave had care
fully emptied his hide. and nailed the
board firmly In It's place In the floor.
found enough evidence IN. the place TO
justify me In OBTAINING him. Much to
my delight, Gouser was accepted as evil
dence against the fence. who got hve
years for his share in the affair, AS for
for he was still wanted for the other
affair. and had. besides. to serve out part
Of a previous sentence. making his sen,
tence equal TO nearly fourteen years
penal. Before he was transferred to the
Penitentiary he sent for Mr., Barclay,
interest ne had shown IN him. referred to
the boy Billy.
II meant him for a thief. and had no
doubt I'd make him good one he said;
TO my head. and / think. on the whole.
it's not a paying trick. think too. that
ter, on the square. I'm too old to change,
but maybe you'd be good enough TO try
your hand on him. Whatever say he's
TO DO he'll go IN for; SO you'd find him
The result OF this was that Billy. with
ais arm In a sling, was brought TO see his
own lips that henceforth he was to alter
his life and go ION the square"
YouH maybe never see me again
Billy" said the father. as he concluded
and II l live out my sentence you'll be
I'm different line, all nicely logged out
9nd respectable, so you must take no no
tee OF me, but just pass me on the street
same as / was dirt"
II won't I'm blowed II / will!' howled
Billy, with torrent OF tears.
II say you shall: and my words law"
sternly returned the father, with a fero-
cious look that quite altered the express
sion of his face. and Billy was cowed at
"a nd mi GaH INN Holt ..,aI
lie went into the Industrial School the
day after; and he conducted himself
missionary i'm one of the worst parts OF
London, whore, curious to relate, his
greatest hold on the lawless people
among whom he labors has been
acquired by him boldly admitting that he
Is the son OF a thief Gouger died I'm
prison before his sentence expired: but
his last message TO Billy was-"keep on
the square, Billy-keep on the square"
(THE END)