Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-20

mustache.
"'Taln't the 'softy,'" thought Peter.
''Who's he, wonder?"
The visitor sat on the bed, stuck his
hands in his pockets without offering
to grasp Mogley's expectant paw, and
searched him with keen gray eye.
"Well," he began, had enough Of it,
my boy2 Going out next week, hear.
What's your plan?"
"None O. yours" responded Peter
surlily. "Who asked to see your
The man laughed. My name is Shelf
field" he said. Yours is Mogley,
believe Well, Mogley, don't wait for
invitations when 1 want a man."
Peter jumped. There's nothin' hang
In over me-" he made haste to say.
"You can't take me-"
Nothing, Ell? I've looked up your
record. That's hanging over you. The
whip Of the law is hanging over you.
You don't mean to be honest when you
leave. That's hanging over you! The
great hand Of almighty God is hanging
over you" His voice was intensely
earnest.
"Some kind Of parson, after all.
took We for a detective" grunted Peter.
mo, neither" said the man quietly.
I'm an ex-convict." He put out his
hand, and the other took 1t wondering
ly, noticing the little finger was gone.
Sheffield pushed apart his thick gray
hair, and disclosed deep scar. Got
that in Sing Sing, trying to escape" he
observed. "Look here!" withdrawing
his hand from Mogley's and rolling up
his sleeve. The brawny arm showed a
ragged old cicatrix. Auburn" he add
ed, sententiously. II was a ten-year
man there-burglary and attempt at
murder. Why, my lad, as 1 say, I've
looked you up. You're a lamb beside
what 1 was. To-day I'm a well-fixed,
respectable citizen. I've come to make
you one. That's why I'm here"
Mogley was staring at him In sort
Of fascination, the attraction Of the big
boy for the little one. He felt suddenly
small and weak-he-Peter Mogley.
Then he recovered himself. "No use"
he replied, doggedly. 'I'm no good"
mo goodl Don't say that, man
You've health and hands. A heart, too.
All you need Is q chance and the wish
to be decent. I'll see you get that
chance, but you must do the rest. Think
Of what 1 was with the chains on-and
then tell me you're no good. That's
nonsense"
"How did you do it?" The prison
er's eyes were shining with eagerness.
"a good, strong man, Gods help, and
hard work-that's how. My boy, was
utterly hopeless, perfectly desperate, a
hardened criminal brute when the doc
tor came fifteen years ago. l cursed
him. He came again. Still 1 cursed
him. Still he kept coming. He ham
mered right at one thing-that I'd got
to be q man-it was in me. Says he,
Jim, before 1 die, you'll come to me
and say, Doctor, I've done It." There's
hope and everything for YOU says he.
Try for both our sakes, tryp" Shelf
fields deep voice broke. "And the next
heard, he was dying-doctor dying.
I'll never forget that night It came
over me then what he'd done. And the
pneumonia got him coming over in the
storm to see me-"
The man stopped, lost in recollection,
clinching his hands. mo matter" he
went on presently. 81 can't tell this
but my time was UP, and I got to him
-and-and, weak as he was, he saw
me. Says I, Doctor, I've done itv and
bawled like a baby, right on my knees
by his bed, his thin hand pattlng my
cropped heed and him whispering, I
knew you would, Jim. 1 knew 1t was
In you
"And It's IN all Of uSw He rose, and
put his fist Oh Peters shoulder, almost
making him vince. II had nearly for
gotten you, lad. Take this card. The
minute you get out, come right to me.
For ten years now I've been setting the
boys on their feet, and tell you this
Out OF hundreds I've helped, only few
have gone back. You won't be one of
that crowd. will your"
Mogley's stolid face was working
strangely. mol so help me Godi" be
said huskily. 81 never felt like tryin'
afore."
And you'll surely Gomez"
"Surel There can't nothing keep me
from It Mr.. Sheffield, you-you-'