The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-04-10

iih4N EAiNhHs Nash AAAt ~ B'A.As Va
something that sounded like that,
They let him off the Island two days
ago" Brannan continued, in explana-
tory fashion. I'D forgot his time was
about up. saw him down the Bowery
to-day. and he's out for business"
We'll, what did he say?" asked the
Captain. who had acquired some of
Brannan's annoyance.
"Oh, he claims he's going 10 reform.
Says he's going 10 get job and work
on the level"
"Yes, he knows that by heart. How
many times have we had him in here,
do you Think" the Captain asked. with
evident curiosity.
Il don't know. He had q record be-
fore | came TO Headquarters, and I've
brought him in regular every holiday
and every other chance l got for ten
years" Brannan spoke in weary tones.
And TO my remembrance" the Cap
tain took up the narrative. hes been
tried about ten times and cost the cOun-
~ barrel of money and has been sent
up only once"
That's il. First conviction this time
Been doing business right along, but
we can't get him with the goods
Blessed nuisance" Brannan delivered
judgment with disgust.
well, bring him in first time you see
him." said the Captain. "We'll see if
We can't think up some game TO get rid
of him"
That is why Jimmy the Lift" sud
denly ceasing his arduous task of work
ing himself into the midst of a crowd
OH Broadway car, looked up TO find
the well-known features of Detective
Sergeant Brannan set benignly above
him. 1t was shock TO Jimmy" he
cause just then he was engaged in pri-
vate business in which he did not wish
any of his acquaintances TO partici-
pate. 1t is TO be suspected that that
business had to do with the stout gen
tleman who had carelessly put a COM
Portable roll of bills into his waistcoat
pocket after paying his fare
why, hello. Sarge There was
every accent Of pleasure in "Jimmy's"
voice. although it is to be feared that
his eyes expressed something else.
'Nice. bracing weather isn't it,"
Yes, quite; but if people amt strong
they oughtn't TO be out in it," Bran.
nan had a fund of sarcasm when nee
essary. and Jimmy" felt that he was
being made the target of it,
Now, that's unkind." he said sooth-
ingly. You know / amt doing a
thing"
well, anyway, the Captain wants to
see you" retorted Brannan remark
that gave little room fo- discussion.
and made it sufficiently evident to
Jimmy" that it was intended he
should follow when Brannan began
edgirg 20 the door. He followed. but
injustice welled within him, and all the
way to the yellowsh white building in
Mulberry Street he protested his in
nocence.
Sorry, old man. but I can't help
it." was all that Brannan would say.
"The Captains wanted you bad all
day"
Good Lord. What he does he want
me for? / amt done nothing" But
Brannan would only elapse into deeper
silence.
There was much for Jimmy" to
think about when he got to the Central
Office at last. He knew the place well.
for he had been there many times, but
he never had been treated in just the
fashion that marked his reception in
this instance. There was n marked
Difference among those who had deal
1ngs with him such as he had never
known to be employed toward a mere
pickpocket before. He was kept in
the outer room while Brannan saw the
Captain. Then the Captain walked out
and looked at him in silence and then
he was taken out and down into the
basement and locked in one of the
strongest cells.
Good Lord, what is it," he asked
In awed tones. as Brannan looked all
about the cell 10 see that il was secure
and that there was nothing in it which
might be used to aid in escape or any.
thing else.
You'll find out in the morning." was
all that Brannan would say. as he
walked out and gave the policeman in
charge instructions to keep his eye Oh
that cell
So Jimmy" sat on his cot away into
the Eours of the night his shifty eyes
trying TO centre themselves on some
place in the cell and his thoughts try.
ing TO collect themselves into some
harmonious condition. 1t did not de
crease his wonder any when his jailer
gave him such n dinner as he had
never before enjoyed in prison and re
sponded only with mysterious silence
when he ventured TO ask questions
He went 10 bed at last. but his mind
kept working and there were but few
moments when he slept soundly.
IL wss n haggard Jimmy" then
who was taken up into the long room
In the Central Ofice next morning "a
face the detectives assembled there
He had not been able to eat much
breakfast. although a sumptuous on,
was provided. He did not feel ans
better either-for the mystery wa:
deepening-when he found himself
standing with men whom he had con
sldered far above him in his choser
field Of life He grew positively faint
when one defective after another. mer
who had known him for almost a scor,
OF years. came up and scrutinized hin
closely as though they had never seer
him before. When he was finally LED