The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-06-26
Order o. First DegreeA' That's tAs
top notch In these diggin's."
~What are thew"

aristocracy here. Bart's our presi-
dent"
Does Jack belong to the Knights?"
"Yes, he does an he's the dark
horse for the presidency, toe."
"Mebbe he would help me-"
That's yer best holt. You better
try him."
Jimmy went to sleep that night with
renewed hopes. In the yard next day
he found Jack in busy converse over
the election with two fellow knights.
He waited modestly for him to finish,
and then pleaded for his aid. Jack
was touched.
II can't do 1t, Jimmy; can't do
1t, nowhow," he repeated. 1t will cost
me the election. But I'll tell you what
III do-oh. Scarggsy!" he called.
Scraggsy, fat, freckled young
burglar, with two merry eyes and red
head, crossed the yard in response to
the call.
"Mr. Mullony, Mr.. Picklock." said
Dolan.
The two bowed and shook hands.
Glad ter meet yer," said Scraggsy.
Jimmy said: "I am honored, Mr..
Mullony," and scored point. Though
a craftsman who stood high In his
line, Scraggsy was human.
II want you to put Mr.. Picklock up
for election, Scraggsy," said Jack.
Get Fat Andy to second him, an do
the best yer can. Don't say nothin'
about his record. He's got good stuff
in him, and III go bail for him; but
it's on the q. t. fars I'm concerned"
For three days Jimmy alternated
between hope and fear. The voting
took place in large tin box hung at
the corner of the cell building nearest
the jute factory. At last it was over.
Jimmy awaited the result with palpi.
tating heart.
But Scraggsy's face told the story
before he spoke. 1t took only ten
black balls to reject, and Jimmy had
received twenty-seven. Clearly they
would not have any sneak thieves in
their number.
At first he despaired utterly. Then
he honestly made up his mind to re-
form; to compensate as best he could
| for lost time. He remembered how, In
the years preceding, Jack had improv-
ed his time, while he, Jimmy, had
idled. How, at the industrial school,
Jack was studying and getting infor-
nation, while he had smoked cigar
cites and loafed. How, later, at the
house of correction, Jack had by his
diplomacy and industry got first posi-
ton as house servant, and afterward
been transferred to the county jail as
"trusty," where his position gave him
| confidential and intimate acquaintance
with intelligent men from everywhere.
The result was clear. There was but
one thing to do-listen, learn and make
up for so many wasted opportunities.
And this he determined to do.
When the time came for his depar-
ture he went quietly away with high
and firm resolves. He had three dol
lars and badly fitting suit of clothes,
but Mollie had remained in love with
him, and she was in atfluence.
He became valiantly intoxicated at
her expense, beat her black and blue,
hit the pipe, and felt like a madman.
Then he looked about him.
His disgrace still burned, though he
said nothing about it to his inamorata.
She might pedestal him as high as she
liked. The western addition offered
fruitful field for burglary, and, with
newspaper fame in view, Jimmy pur-
chased revolver, bowie-knife, and
slung.shot. Whenever he happened
to be caught the knights should
know what mute, inglorious Milton
and Cartouche combined they had so
inappreciatively scorned.
The first two operations were bril-
liantly successful. They were neatly
done; would reflect pride on anybody.
During the third, however, as Jimmy
was deftly picking the lock of the sill
yer closet in a mansion on Pacific av-
enue, he felt himself grabbed by some
one in the dark. The old highway
mans advice came instantly to him;
he twisted his right arm free, slipped
the knife from his sleeve and stuck
it into something soft. He heard an
"Oh!" and the fall of a body.
Jimmy dashed out of the back door
while a woman's shrieks were ringing
He had scarcely jumped the fence into
the street, however, before brass but
tons were hotly in pursuit AS he
ran, he drew his revolver and pepper
ed away like Gatling gun at his pur-
suer. the policeman, also shooting
rapidly at him. Then shrill whistle
sounded in front of Jimmy and the
shooting behind him ceased. Some
thing struck him out of a dark. door
way, the left side Of his head appeared
to cave in, and Jimmy knew no more,
but rather less than usual.
Only three months had elapsed
since his departure when he passed
the iron doors again. But there was
no exultation in his manner this time.
He was quiet, modest and business
like.
How are yer, Jimmy?" said Scragg.