The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-06-26


aned in the state prison at San Quen-
TN for the term Of two years"
A modest flush, born of the pride he
could not entirely conceal, passed over
The face of the youth in the prison
ers' dock. San Quentin-and only
eighteen" was his glad, unspoken
thought. The boys beside him-there
were three of them-strove to look
composed and Indifferent, as boys will
under the circumstances, but their
envy, tempered by friendship as it
was, was clearly apparent. Each of
them had his secret hopes, and each
had been disappointed. And Jimmy
Picklock had, without merit that they
could see, gained the coveted prize.
Only the house Of correction awaited
them, an institution whose diplomacy
was a shame rather than an honor,
Since it stamped them as mere tyros
In the gallant calling of theft.
Jimmy went down stairs scarcely
feeling his chains. He strove to ap-
pear modest, not to manifest offensive
" his recognized superiority over his
companions, but he was none the less
e0uberant in spirit, and they were
none the less glum. Jimmy. was a
tall, slender youth. He had a frank,
Intelligent face, with lines of ambi-
eion. His new sense of Importance
lent dignity to his carriage, his ex-
preston and his gait.
That afternoon Tansy Mollle came
up to the Jail to bid him good-by. He
saw her in the visitors room. She
was more than ever tender more than
ever worshiping, in her simple, Tar
Flat way. She congratulated him
warmly, but he paid little heed. And
though she hoped against hope, the
poor girls doubts of his love grew
greater and greater in the face of this
undeniable change in him. Jimmy was
getting tco high for her now; Jimmy
was a regular conyict-an amateur no
longer.
Over the shining bay waters, with
Deputy Marion Wilson, Jimmy rode
expectantly next day. He smiled in
superior complaisance at two tenderly
unwise old ladies who were "coony"
enough to pity him. They little knew.
And when he had arrived at the old
brick prison, and passed through the
outer gate and the inner and stood at
last on the fagstones Of the walk
within the walls, and vieyed the gray
stone cell buildings, and the men in
stripes, who were his superiors no
longer, he felt the warm glow Of self
contentment
All was rose-colored and scented
for half an hour. Then the horizon
was speckled with the first cloud of
gloom. He met an old friend.
Hello, Jack!" he cried, warmly.
Hello, Jimmy!" returned Jack,
quite unmoved.
"Whos here?' he asked, with ad-
mirable sangfroid.
"Oh, the usual rum" said Jack, in
differently.
"Where's Bart?"
Bart who?"
"Black Bart. want to meet him.
"Oh, you do, do yer? Got your salt
yeti"
MY salt? No. Where do l get
IT."
'Over at San Rafael. The next time
70 utake your mornin' walk, buy
ton or two at the grocery, an git the
man to sprinkle it on yer. Jest tell
him you're so fresh you're 'fraid yer'll
spoil" and Jack turned contemptu-
ously away.
immy blushed to the roots of his
Btubble. To crown all, tall, digni-
fed, irnposing-looking man walked
slowly by, nodded TO Jack, and said,
pleasantly:
Hello, Dolan!"
Hello, Bart!" returned Jack.
1t was Black Bart, the famous high
wayman. Jimmy's disomfture was
complete
For week this state of affairs con-
tiaued. His expected happiness had
turned to misery. Every anticipated
sweetness of recognition by the hon.
ored men of his profession had been
gall instead. He could not understand
It. He was a stranger In q strange
land. Even the boys in the tinshop
where he had been put to work re-
fused to chum with him, claiming a
superiority over him that was mys-
terry. He grew bitterly ashamed of
his clothes; they were SO strangely,
degradingly new. He was utterly
lonely and disconsolate; he almost
wished at times that he had not come.
One day. however, as he was pass
ing by the east end of the cell build
ing be was accosted by short, wiry
grizxled old man, who sat smoking
pipe on the lowest step of the balcony
stairs.