Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-18
SECRET OF JAIL.
Joe Takes Seventy Days Rather
Than be Found
Out.
BELONGS TO A GOOD FAMILY
Singing Out His Sentence, Happy i
Thought That Relatives Will
Never Know.

Joe sat securing the wash bowl in
| the toilet room on the second floor of
| the court house. He he'd a clay pipe
in his mouth and was singing through
his nose. Joe was happy. despite the
discouraging prospect of remaining 4
prisoner at the county jail until the
middle of March. Joe pleaded guilty
in the county court to an information
charging assault and battery.
Probably | could have beat my way
through without conviction" Joe
said. but the chances were against
me. You see | have acquaintances in
this city that do not know that l am
locked Up in the county prison. They
do not know me personally, but they
know my family. and If they saw the
name in print, they would hold their
hands up i'm holy horror. So thought
il the wisest course for me to plead
guilty and take my medicine like a
man. First time behind the bars for
me, yes sir. But it is not so bad. Eel
low is treated pretty well. Gets three
squares-at least mine are as square
as those the other boys have-a day
and warm place to sleep.
Takes World Az IL Comes.
I'm fellow who has been taught
to take the old world just as she
rolls around and be content. That is
the reason | am not snorting because
drew 40 days from the county court
The court doubtless believed me en-
titled to what | got, but ii | could have
proven the other side of the story
would have been handled more deli
cateiy, you can bet on that, for that
man who deals out justice across the
hall there looks to me like one who
couldn't be otherwise than on the
level
But just listen a moment. Remem-
Der am not kicking. but | would just
like you To hear how happened to get
in this place. l hold a good job on
the river in the summer season. !
am not Il rat. | have been promoted |
Il long time since. | drew my last pay |
check at the close of the season and |
decided to pass a few days in Rock |
Island before going To my home out in
Iowa. had bought me an entire new
outfit. topped off with nice derby |
hat.
Stranger Hits His Hat.
Il took several drinks and was walk
ing through Market square when a
bruiser that | had never seen before
walked up to me and smeared my lid.
Ii fell on the pavement. | picked il
up. | was not mad. l walked close
to the fellow. You know my eyes We're
loafing on me. Thought he was an
old friend. perhaps. But no. Just
a mean cuss around with a snoot full
and a chip on his shoulder. told him
not 10 repeat the offense or he would
find himself against the buzz saw.
That was just what he was looking
for He blaZed away again, and 1t
seemed as if my hat went three miles.
Then | saw that ii was up to me TO
show what | could do. / knocked him
down and heeied him. What does
that mean? Just naturally closing an
eve with the south end of your foot.
Then / let him up on his promise TO
quit. When | had my back turned he
soaked me again.
Other Fellow Needed Guide.
Then We had IL out once more, ana
if that fellow was able 10 find his
lodgings without guide, missed my
guess He had friends there, but
did not When the police were called,
The other fellow was gone, but | was
On deck Some OF the men who saw
The fight said. they would testify for
me. but when the time came | guess
they decided not 10 get mixed up,
which was only natural. / was only a
irifter, they doubtless thought But.
I1y friend. / have just as nice home
as there is in my town. My people
are just as highly respected as the
best there. They do not know | am |,
here. and they shall never know. Doll
hey hear from me? You bet they do /
Once a week. They think am in an
other city working. :
And Joe resumed his song.