The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-16
NAR. DUCKWORTH SEXES
IW HIS OPPORTUNITY.
An Escape from Jail, an Opesation In
Finance and Recognition
Of Genius.
Copy, tohf. 1902. BY william Homaton Osbo,n.

interpretive. as was natural for a man
whose horizon consists Of an unlimited
view Of gray stone wall, though a set Of
uncompromsinRly tough steel bars.
Mr. Stephen Duckworth was no COM
mon man-none Of the fotsman and jet
sam Of society. He was a man Of property.
He had recently amassed snug little
fortune Of some $1,000
This snug little sum OF money had at
one time belonged to two old ladies', who
had been induced by Mr.. Duckworth to
invest il in some gilt edged {. 7. A. bonds.
The bonds had been Mr.. Duckworth's
private property. and he had labored in
dustriously to make them marketable.
and Of course his labor had not been in
vain II rarely was.
But later, the officials Of the road failed
TO detect a sufficient similarity between
the presidents signature as il appeared
on Mr. Duckworths bonds. and the sigma
ture which appeared on other bonds Of
the same concern.
Mr. Duckworth. when the matter was
called 10 his attention, had been unable
satisfactorily to explain the discrepancy
hence his present plight. But FORUM
a'ely for him. and unfortunately for the
two old ladies. he was not caught with
the goods on. He had very definite
idea at present of the exact location Of
the well-earned fruits Of his toll, and he
was considering the possibility Of speedy
enjoyment of the same.
Now, if Mr. puckworth had been a pauper
he would not have rebelled Three meals a
day and place to sleep for a few years,
be they more OF less, constitute not an
unmixed evil AID the law, as Mr. Duck
worth acknowledged. to itnself, had the
right to restrain the personal liberty Of the
individual
But the law had no right the Con-
stitution prohibited il ito prevent him from
the enjoyment of his private property
The Constitution was a thing good enough
FOR him to go by. and he had determined to
take advantag' Of it, privileges in this
respect at least.
II was while these thoughts were passing
through his mind that thickset individual.
apparently of sporty tendencies. presented
himself at the office down below He
exhibited a considerable expanse Of shirt
bosom. decorated with a pin Of remark
anle hue and brilancy.
He was somewhat dusty and he carried a
brand new dress-sllit case. which he care
fully deposited alongside the desk. He
nodded famililrly TO the two or three officials
who were loungng around, and then ad-
dressed a turnkey who stood behind the
bars.
I'm a deputy Sheriff from N'Yawk T"
h. announced with considerable sprightli-
ness Of manner, of for lark. Thought
I'd drop in here while was in town and see
how you run this ranch. IL YOU got any
things To show you kin show ii 10 me. If
you've got any big bugs locked up I'd
like to Sc EN-. Have a seegar."
He handed in two of them on top OF a
very large calling card with his name
printed on IL in gilt letters. The door
was opened and no entered.
I'D like to see that cashier that got away
with three hundred and fifty from your
bank herein town, if you don't mind. and
any % the rest Of em, I amt Particular
They showed him what there was to
see. At last they stood in front Of the cell
where Duckworth still INDUCED himself
in roveries
The turnkey stood with his back to the
cell and In a low voice related to the WISH
tor the interesting circumstances in the
career Of the present incumbent
This Is Duckworth," he explained, -fel-
low who had that million dollar bond
scheme. Forgery. yep. Ten years. Only
been in six months. Sent up last winter
Slickest thing wa got"
The deputy sheriff was loungng against
the bars. With the one hand which was out
of the turkeys sight he made movement
as might one who shook the ash from his
cigar
At the same instant Mr. Stephen Duck
worth leaned forward and scratched his
ankle. He was still rubbing it when the
turnkey swung around and glanced at him.
The deputy sheriff waved his hand.
Get away with much?" he inquired.
The turnkey shook his head
Thirty or forty thousand" he replied;
sthey nipped him in the bud
Hes no good" returned the other.
Got any more that're better n him2"
Again the turnkey shook his head.
Il tell you he's the slickest Of the lot,"
he protested as they started off, leaving the
prisoner alone.
Mr. Stephen Duckworth rose lazily, and,
stepping 10 the window of his CELL rested
listlessly against the bars. In this position
with his back to the door he carecssly
placed his hands in his pockets, with the air
OF a man who has nothing better to do.
and as carelessly withdrew them.
In one of them was "A small gray ball OF
worsted yarn. He had picked it up when
he had stopped down TO rub his ankle. Ten
minutes telOfe III Wltfun tfe
pockets Of his erstwhie visitor, the deputy
sheriff from New York.
All that ni.nt ana all the next Mr.. Stephen
Duckworth stood az the window OF his prison
cell. contemplating the heavens. He cal
culated that there would not be a new moon
for three or four nights.
Il reckon it'll ram IN few days, too"
he said to himself.
On these dark nights there was no sound
TO keep him company save the grooming
of "a deiirious patient over In the sick WaTd.
The turnkey passed and rcpa.ssed his cell
at intervals.
Gee! he sleeps like "A top" commented
this individual, IL he glanced at the re-
cumbent form OF Mr.. Duckworth on his
cot.
When he had passed, the sleeper again
resumed his silent vigil at the window.
As the east became slightly streaked
with gray, Mr.. Duckworth took n little
piece of soap and pressed 1t into "A hori-
zontal slit that appeared in one Of the bars.
Then he took a little powdered piumbago,
and busted the soap with 1t all around and
the aperture immediately disappeared.
That was wonderful bali Of worsted the
deputy had provided.
On the second night the turnkey thought
he heard a sound, a peculiar sound issuing
from the cell. He did. II was caused
by the fact that MIR. Duckworth, In sleeping
had failed uuwittingly, to close his mouth.