The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-05-09
THE TWO CONVICTS.
BY TOM HALL.

morning were TO make that last
awful ride up the river to Sing sing
He who sat upon the bunk was
typical housebreaker, heavy-la"ed,
ow-browed man with blue scar on
his cheek. His eyes, lusterless and
heavy, were shaded by heavy bro"s
and one could see at Il glance why
he had been nicknamed 1.-The owl.
He was smoking n short black pipe,
and 10 all appearances his NINE was
Tor the time being at least, "A void.
He who sat upon the single stool
in the cell was a white-haired old
man. whose thin face bore the unmlS-
taxable evidences Of 8 life OF toll, and
whose delicate nostrils and lip. made
it apparent that his nature was an
almost supersensitiye one. he stOop-
ed after the manner OF one who is ac-
customed TO the keeping OF mercan-
tile books, and there was on his face
an expression Of melancholy that
was infinitely sad. His clothes,
though carefully kept, were shabby
and old-fashioned.
1t was evident that the two con-
yicts were widely different types.
There was something in the woe be-
gone manner of the old man that
caused the Owl to keep silent for a
long time before he spoke to him.
"Bver done time before" he asked
at last.
"No," said the other sadly; ''nev
err
'Get used to it after awhile" con-
tinued the Owl, glad to find that his
companion was not averse to talk
ing. What are you going up for?'
"Theft, " said the white haired old
man. Theft. I-stole-money-
irom-my-employer," he continued,
uttering each word with painful dis
tinctness, 40 though he did not ex-
pect the listener to believe him-as
though he, himself, could hardly be-
fieve it,
Glow much?" asked the Owl, be-
coming interested.
"Ten thousand dollars replied
the old man with the same impress
iveness.
"You don't say exclaimed the
Owl. You're better man than |
thought you were"
"Ah, no, said the other. Il am
not q better man than you thought
me. | am a thief
Som l." replied the Owl, ''butI've
never been a lucky one. I'm doing
10 years just for gold watch You,
a common amateur, get the same
time for $4,000. Why man, dear,
all the time you're there you're get
ting $1,000 year What more can
you ask"
Then the Owl became confdential.
See here, pard, he said, Il know n
awyer who'll get you out of this for
half that amount. | amt telling We
10 lies. Then you'll be started in
BUSINESS again with $4,000 What's
he matter with that, eh?'
have no 100000" replied the
Id man. Il returned every cent to
ny, employer
WHAT" exclaimed the Owl with
Iorror. Give it back to him."
Eyes, of course, answered the
ther.
You're a fool, said the Owl with
ontempt. You ought to be in an
Insane asylum, not in prison. You'll
the whole gang,
DO not tell me that" said the old
nan with almost a wall in his voice.
] suffer so now to think what have
one to myself that my torture is
errible. Ii thought that by word
II deed had led anyone else from
he paths of righteousness | could
ot bear it could not possibly
ear it.
"Humph." said the Owl
Let me tell you nay story" said
he old man childishly. Perhaps
'ou can advise me orinform me, and
stand in great need of both advice
IND information i
Let her go, said the Owl. look
ne at the other with a look of su-
Advice il. the only thing
-ou don't have to steal"
My name, said the old man, is
Henry Bond. | have no relatives.
nave no friends. / have been all nv