Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-01-11
M Y FIR S T
CAPTURE
BY ALBERT BIGELow PAINE


| dOWunS were AWAY IoT tue buhmci'
stealthily approached. lesped
upon his shoulders.
mo resistance-you're my prisoner!"
That's So" he grunted. I'm It."
We marched toward the jail. ] had
been In Office but a week, and was
proud Of my first capture. He seemed
inclined to be sociable.
Pleasant weather we're having
now"
agreed that II was warm for May.
Great thing, these electric lights"
assented 10 this. too. adding that
they were u protection to honest peo-
pie.
YES" he nodded, 1.-The profession
hasn't much show these days"
We were at the jail presently.
halted In the lighted corridor, and.
pushing open a door, stood aside for
him TO enter.
This is your room. Hope you'll
find II comfortable"
He looked about approvingly.
"Hm-southern exposure-head to
the north-very nice, thank you
Glad you like II. Anything ! can
do further?"
II rise early-suppose you have me
called for my bath at seven"
was going through his wall-madc
clothes. lie was unarmed. His peck
cts contained a little-a very little
change, and a small bunch of anti
quated keys.
Couldn't do much with those
things" commented.
1T is rather a poor outfit he
agreed. Lucky struck these free
lodgings. suppose I'm good here till
court sits"
"Yes-second week in September"
Just fits in with my plans. ! think
I'll like II here first rate. Good night.
went away. grinning at his assur-
ance. There was something free and
western about 1t that appealed 10 me.
rose early, 10 have look at him
by daylight. listened moment al
his cell, then called through the little
grated window
Seven O'clock" said. you want
ed an early CALI"
The cell was empty.
began TO have an uncanny feeling
and wasted no time in getting out into
the morning sunshine. AS | opened
the door al the end OF the corricor ]
saw that somebody was sitting on the
step. He turned just then, and | rec.
ognized him. Ii was my guest OF the
night before.
Good morning." he greeted. ut
was pleasant outside, so didn't wait
for my call. have been enjoying the
sunrise"
only stared at him.
by the way. your locks are rather
poor he added. You forgot TO leave
me key last night, but il made nc
difference"
pulled myself together.
Perhaps you'd better come in now"
| suggested, and let me so over you
again for those skeleton keys. ! ap.
preciate the fac, that you didn't run
away, and | want to treat you well
but business Is business. I'm the new
man here. and the public eye is upon
me-"
He returned to his cell quite willing
ly. There was literally nothing on his
person that | could discover. looked
at him helplessly. He smiled-a pleas
ant, reassuring smile.
Don't worry" he consoled; I'm
not likely to leave. might go farther
and fare worse
He followed quite submissively TO o
cell across the way. where there was o
lock OF an altogether different pattern
"Ill bring your breakfast down my.
SELF" said. Don't go. please. before
| come" and went out, carefully lock
ing the door.
Soon after went to the window and
looked down on the wide Jail yard, In
,one corner of which was vegetable
garden. A man was wedding one o,
the beds. Then stood stock still and
stared. The man In the garden was
my guest.
That was my weird summer.
| set myself now TO solve this mys.
tery-the secret Of his power. When
| locked him in his cell he showed nc
desire to leave 1t so long as ! was near
Absent for a moment, would be like
~ to hear the lawn mower. and would
look out to find him cutting grass.
| tried friendship. had installed
him as a harmless eccentric, helping
me for his board. now proceeded &c
make his stay pleasant. Books, pic
lures, a carpet and some furniture
were placed In his quarters, and in.
vited him to my private table. His
conversation was usually cultured ane
interesting. but gave me no .clew as te
his secret.
Il was during the first week of Sep.
TENDER that the cashier Of our loca'
bank fell dead one morning. just be
fore opening time. Then 1t was founc
that nobody else knew the combination
OF the safe-nobody but the president
who was somewhere In London OF
Paris.
Such a matter Is Of importance IN a
country town. hurried over and saw