The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-15


liams' first visit to me. but there is
something radically wrong, and / see
no other peg on which to hang my
suspicion than the privileges Of those
two men and what Williams said to me.
He has never given me or anyone in
my hearing a civil word or look since"
Thirty-nine had to wait until the
next visit of the Justices for his an
| sWer from the home office and in the
meantime he had discovered little that
supported his suspicious. But the let
| ter the Justice brought him gave him
the utmost satisfaction.
1t gave n list of convictions against
the two prisoners whom Thirtynine
had inquired about. Starting as a boy,
with petty larceny, Seventy-eight had
turned to burglary, purse-snatching,
long-frm frauds and coming
Twenty-four, younger man, was
the son OF the notorious Jim Crow"
His first conviction was for stealing
lead-pping from an empty house. He
was known to have assisted his father
in extensive Counterfeit coming
schemes, and. upon the death of Jim
Crow" inherited $4,000 or $4,000 with
which he started himself as "a book
maker. He lost his money, and was
mobbed for "welshing" at the Liver
pool meeting in IS. Next he was ar
rested for attempting to pass bad
money in Nottingham, where large
quantity of base coin had been circu-
lating for a period which correspond
ed with the length of time he had
been in the town. He served eighteen
months at Blackenham. Later he was
sentenced TO four years for passing
base coins.
ANY message to take back You had
better not keep this paper said the
justice.
mo. Will you return to the office?
| | Will write message back"
He took a pencil from his visitor,
and wrote:
| "Eendeavor TO trace movements of
every coiner who has passed through
here-movements since they left. Want
my discharge for time being"
| Three days later warder entered
the cell of Thirtynine and threw down
upon the pallet a bundle of clothes.
They were those in which Thirty-nine
had entered the prison.
| you've got to change an come to
the governors" he said.
Thirty-nine changed and followed the
warder down the corridor, across the
central hall, into the governors Of
flee.
The governor sat at his table, and
two men in ordinary clothes stood
by.
You're transferred to Portland,
Thirty-nine under an order from the
home office" said the governor. These
officers are here to fetch you. If you
give me your word not to modest them
or attempt to escape you shall not
be handcuffod."
II won't get up to no game, sir, and
thank you," Thirty-nine replied.
He was struck by the fact that his
escort were in plain clothes. But il
occurred to him that prisoners We're
not conveyed from prison to prison in
convict dress as had been the rule
and it was therefore only consistent
; that warders should not be in their
: uniform, or the spirit of the reform
would be lost.
His custodians ushered him into a
: fly that was waiting in the prison yard
and, as they took their seats facing
him. the elder man smiled, and said
, quietly:
Il expect you can see through this
sr?"
II think So" Thirty-nine replied.
> we shall take you to the station
if you've no objection, or the driver
may smell a rat. There is a tirst-Cass
To London, and two sovereigns l was
/ instructed to hand to you for your
return expenses"
They alighted at the station and
| passed through the booking lobby.
, That is your train waiting sir" said
the second officer, so We'll wish you a
| respectful good morning. We're not re.
turning till later train"
Good morning" replied Captain
Richmond, as the train moved out OF
the station.
Arrived at the metropolitan terminus
eX-Thirty- got into a hanson an6
drove away to his chambers. An houl
later attired in n smart morning suit
he was shaking hands with the home
| secretary.
You were in a hurry to get out,
the secretary said with deprecatlne
, smile. I'm afraid you cannot have
discovered much in the time"
5 Il don't think l could have learnt
more had ! remained" Richmond re-
maincd. II have drawn some surpris
ing conclusions. and the test must b,
t put from outside. | have only to wal
now for the reports concerning tn,
5 movements of coiners who have passec
/ through Shasnal."
Here are the records of three cases
I can get others for you if necessary
Why you pick upon Coiners | don
+ understand"
, "On the other hand, these records,
$ Richmond returned. slight color
I mounting to his face, appear To con
4 firm my suspicious. Does it not strik,
= you as being strange, sir, that eacl
1 of these left the country almost i'm
= mediately upon being released
\ from Shashnal | note on,
[ went TO Australia, where h,
+ bought a small farm, which he hai
| since successfully Cutivated anothc
4 went to America, where he quickly ran
S through a sum of money which wa!
= considerable for "A man of his position
. and then turned his attention to for
gerry; the last went out TO Durham
q bought the goodwill of a small public
o house, and drank himself to death
Y | In this taste for emigration, whicl
seems to have been inculcated at Shas
f nal to one convicted of coming | seen
: to see a great deal to support my con
clusions."
(Which are?" interrogated the see
retary.
THAT there is a secret mint at Shas
= nal"
= "Preposterous!" the minister cjacu
t lated "a mint in one Of her majesty''
nnar 6nari Won ponSt thi nj