The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-08-05
The COlViCt's Revenge.
By Edward Wiilett.


From an industrious and thriving
mechanic, Charles Clawson had degen-
Grated to a tramp. Hard times had
done much to bring him down; a run
OF hard luck had done more. Although
he had only himself to support, it
seemed to be beyond his ability to do
that little. Disappointed and discour-
aged, he at last began to spend his
''scanty earnings for drink, and that
completed his ruin.
In the course of his tramping he
made his way to New York and en-
deavored to find employment at his
trade, but his appearance was against
him, and his bad luck followed him.
He had nothing to do, no place to
sleep, nothing to eat, and nothing to
drink
In his despair he determined upon
suicide, and walked to the river with
the deliberate intention of putting
his designs into execution. 1t was
SO easy to make an end Of all his trou-
bles. He was glad that he had never
learned to swim.
His appearance attracted the atten-
ton of flashily dressed man, who fol-
lowed him, seeming to be much inter
ested in his movements.
Clawson selected for his suicidal
purpose pier on which there were few
! people, walked out to the end of it,
and stood on the string piece, looking
at the water. AS he did so, the man
who had been following him came up
Fand touched him on the shoulder.
"You amt going to jump off here, my
friend?" said he.
"Why not?" asked Clawson.
Because you must think better of
It. l suppose l know what is the mat
ter with you. You need money!"
Eyes"
$50 do most of us. But judge that
you need it right badly. | can put
you in the way of earning $40 if not
more at an easy job"
Clawson's face frightened. This was
the first stroke of good luck that he
had known in year.
"What sort of a job?" he asked
81 will tell you directly. Are you
hungry"
Starving"
Come with me, and I will tell you
what | want while l am putting
good dinner into you"
Clawson soon was given as much as
he wanted to eat and drink and while
he was paying attention to the ia
BILE his patron proceeded to make
known the nature Of the 'job."
81 noticed as you were coming down
to the river, and was struck by your
resemblance to a man whose name it
isn't worth while to mention. That
man is to meet a lady this evening at
Madison Square, and is to receive a
letter from her. The meeting was ar
ranged by a personal in this morn
fng's Herald. He is to wear a red rose
in his buttonhole. l want you to take
his place, to get the letter, and bring
it to me, and l will pay you $40 for it,"
els there nothing wrong in this?"
asked Clawson. Nothing that is like
ly to get me into trouble?"
''Not a bit of 1t. am private de-
L6CLIN6, anu L WduI lAaL lOIICA UcCduoc
it may be good evidence in a divorce
suit"
"But what about the other man?
Won't he be on hand? 1t would be
awkward to meet him there"
mo fear of that. He is out of town,
and has had no chance to see the per-
sonal."
Clawson saw no objection to the
<'iob." and was glad to close with the
offer He was sent to a barber shop
for a bath and shave, and was then
taken to a room, where he was pre-
scented with clean linen and rather
fashy business suit. In fact, he was
given an entire rig" from boots to
hat, and was told that he might con-
slider the suit as his property in the
event of his success in securing the
letter.
Clawson was elated over his good
luck. He saw himself saved from the
alternative of starvation or suicide.
and believed that with his renovated
appearance he would be able to secure
employment. A great load had been
lifted from his life, and he felt free
koy