Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-06-04
FROsTBURG, MD, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1904.

acquaintance. Afther takin' pleasure
in announcin' to the lady that her
handkerchief was to your loikin' We
sits peacefully down to wait for us, with
an open window and fire escape be-
an umbrella before venturn' forth III
the inclemencyW
Page lodged the questions good
temperedly An hour later found him
housed in the station.
1t was an astonishmcnt to every one
who knew him when 1t was told that
he had been stealing lie had been
known to the police for a long time as
topper. but no one dreamed that he
had any vice more serious than love
for the bottle. He had paid the pen
atty of being found drunk number
Of times and was known to the force
as n thoroughly good fellow when
sober. Judge Marvin had given him Il
long sentence the last time hoping to
work reform, and he had endcared
himself to everybody about the Jail.
where he was intrusted with the care
of the flower beds.
The formalities Of another sentence
passed quickly. Page was strangely
cheerful about it all. Judge Marvin
reprimanded him severely, all the time
feeling that his words made no i'm.
precision, for the man seemed well con-
tent with his lot. And yet he was not
in need Of shelter, as are some who
seek arrest. He was entirely sober.
and investigation proved that he had
given up we'll paid position for a
petty offense, the theft Of an article
that must have been useless to him.
The Jail doors creaked to admit him
once more. He settled down cozily
in his quarters. affably friendly to
some of his old time comrades.
Days slipped by, and a restlessness
came over him, although he was the
same orderly prisoner as ever. At last
he approached the jailer:
"Why don't you give me my old job.
sir?" he asked anXiously.
"Oh. you had the flower beds. didn't
you? That's SO. Want them again.
do your"
ooh, please, SIR" Page replied, his
face as eager as child's.
Next day found him out in the sun
shine, shears and trowel in hand.
The flower beds surrounded the next
building, which was the woman's sec
ton of the Jail. Page approached his
work nervously and went about trim
ming the roses In preoccupied man
ner. At every sound he started.
Erl,
jumped to his feet as he recognized
the sound of it.
"Polly" he cried and seiYd a girls
hands in his.
Joy and sorrow mingled in her face.
"Oh. Bill, you're back after you swore
to me you'd never drink again" she
cried.
81 haven't touched drop. Polly"
he answered, and his words rang true.
at was for stealin'T he cried joyfully.
"Stealing" she gasped in horror.
"Yes-don't you see-an honest steal.
1 took the handkerchief and gave it
right back and gave Mrs. Van Worst
the money to pay for the bottle
broke doin' it. had to run the bluff,
Polly. couldn't stay away from you
any longer. Amt you glad to see me.
little girl?"
81 don't know" she said, perplexed.
"Now We'll be here together just
like we used to be when we first got
to know each other. We can see each
other every day until you get out, and
mines only week after that Well
see each other when you have your
walk, for I've got the flower beds
again. And I've reformed since you
talked to me-ain't touched drop.
Polly, on my honor l ain't-and when
we get out I'll be ms sober as n Judge,
and you'll never steal another penny.
poor little girl. cause your mother II
never be starvin' again. She's all
right. Polly. left her plenty of mon
ey. And We'll have that house with
the grass in front, and We'll be happy
to beat the band. 1t won't be so long
to wait, little girl-there, there. don't"
And her tears found refuge on his
shoulder.