The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-29
BILLY THOMPsON's CHOICE
BY EDWIN T. WEBSTER.

ID T Ell W IN W GDo1 GES.
 Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)
 Billy Thompson. formerly Win and Mir. Thompson. was looking gloomiy out of the car window. apparently intent on the passing scenery. In reality hts thoughts were far away. and they were far from pleasant thoughts. For Billy was on his way to the penitentiary. That Billy was not wearing hapdcuffs was due to a point of pride with Sheriff VII son, in whose custody Billy was.
 Any time when Tom Wilson needs handcuffs to take care of only one pris- oner, 1t will be because he Is an older and weaker man than he is these pres ent days the sheriff used to remark a little grimly. The boys know that If any of them try to make a break when I'm taking them to the pen 1t will be case for the coroner instead of the peni- tentfary warden"
 Sheriff Wilson was not only an un- usually strong and active man. but dead shot and mighty sudden on the draw" in the language of his admiring constituents.
 Tt is all my own fault" thought Billy Thompson. gioomily. as the train sped on Its way T had a good chance of suc- cess when I left school. I threw that away. Then. after the first break came that position on the railroad. Even after that I had plenty of chances to get on honestly. I threw them away, too. Every time I had choice offered me I chose the wrong way. And now I'm on my way to the pen"
 Billy was aroused from his gloomy rev. erie by little gurgling. gasping noise. He turned from the window and saw on the seat in front of him baby. plump. well-fed. happy baby, who seemed to be
 III AL1 whole world. The baby was standing on It's mothers lap, leaning over her shoulder so as to face the seat behind. As Billy looked at 1t the baby gain broke into a gurgling laugh and extend ed its chubby fists in Rilly's direction. Even g. man on his way to the peniten- tiray would have found 1t hard to resist such advances. and Billy. despite his faults, was fond of children. He snapped his fingers at the baby, who chuckled gleefully at the performance. The mother looked around with the proud smile of a young mother, who is certain there never was baby to compare with hers. As Billy, for the time forgetful of his own troubles, continued his attempts to amuse and interest the child. the lit- tie one began to manifest a strong de- sire to come to his new found friend Billy looked at the sheriff doubtfully. Go on take him." said the official in kindlier tones than he usually used to- wards prisoners in his charge. Guess whatever else you may have done, Billy, there's no danger of your hurting a kid | like that"
 Billy half rose in his seat. and the young mother. accustomed to the easy manners of the West, and rather proud | of the facility of her baby for making | friends. was about to pass the baby to | Billy, when suddenly there came from
 the engine the long. shrleking whistle which all railroad men know and dread the danger signal. Tho next second the brakes gripped the car wheels with a 1 suddenness and force which sent the | passengers tumbhng over each other and | the seats. The car seemed to recoil on | itself in it's desperate effort to stop. Then | the front rucks rose from the ground,
 there was a crashing of timbers. hiss
 ing, rending sound, rising in the scale
 to almost a wall. as the front wheels
 tore their way through the woodwork
 on the preceding car, the floor of the
 car seemed to twist and writhe like a
 living thing. Then the whole car ca
 teened wildly and with crash of break ing glass and smashing timbers. fell over
 on its side, the opposite to that on which BTl and the sheriff had been sitting.
 For a moment Billy was stunned and
 helpless. Then as his senses came back
 he struggled to his feet, how he scarce.
 ly knew. He had ben cut by the glass in the car windows and was bruised from
 that he was not seriously injured. Or