Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-12-16
HOW HE GOT OUT OF
THE DEBTORS PRISON
BY THOMAS sARseR yuosoN.

IL was visitors day at Ludlow street
jail. New York. Ludlow street fail Is
very gentle counterpart OF the debt.
ors' prison OF the olden time. Its in.
mates are those In contempt Of the
inheritance and certain other courts.
federal bankrupts. execution and judg.
ment debtors and breach OF promise
and alimony men.
John Decker had finished his break.
fast OF rolls. coffee and an egg-be
could have breakfasted more heartily
had he been able TO order from a
netghboring restaurant-and was sit
ting In the lounging room reading a
morning paper when a card was
handed him. He looked at Il, frowned
and said:
Il understood when was put in
here that no prisoner was obliged to
see his wife. Tell the sheriff that
claim the immunity promised"
The message was delivered. and pres
emily the sheriff himself appeared.
Your wife says, Mr.. Decker. that
she has come with the olive branch,
and she told me to say In case you de-
clined to receive her that she has your
son Johnny with her and wishes TO
know II you will see him."
The hard lines on Decker's face re-
laxed.
"Yes. II you will bring him IN here"
The sheriff retired. and in a few
minutes boy Of six came bounding
Into the room and, springing into his
fathers arms, covered his face with
kisses. They were returned In kind,
while tear stood IN the mans eye.
Mamma gave me a message for
you. papa. She says she was told that
you were hiding money"
"who told her that?"
Mrs. Spifire."
THAT Jezebel! She made all the
trouble"
And mamma says was sick and
baby was sick. and she was turned out
Of the rooms. and nothing to buy meat
or medicines. and
The man put his hand on the boys
mouth.
Never mind all that, Johnny. Ican't
bear It,"
"And mamma says she's been study
ing stenography and has got a place.
She doesn't wish you to stay here any
longer"
What does she wish me to do?"
First to forgive her for putting you
In here"
"What next"
~ wish you to come home"
Johnny, dear. wish I could do
both. but can do neither"
mot for me. poppy? Please do-1ust
for me, you know"
Every well; I'll do the first for you"
"And you'll come homer
"No; ! can't do that"
"Oh. pop. please do"
"There will be time enough to con
slider that in the future"
"No. there won't. Mamma says But
I wasn't to tell you"
TELL me what?'
THAT it'll be too late then"
"Oh. It will he too late. ln other
words. she must dictate Just when a
reconciliation may take place"
whats that"
"Make 1t up
"No. that isn't It. I know why. but
! won't tell. Mamma says you're 30
proud. That's one reason"
81 don't understand. Johnny"
Mamma says II ! tell you you'll
never come home. You must come
home without knowing"
The father studied the boys face
musingly for time and at last said:
"Well. Johnny. could never refuse
you anything. Ill forgive your moth
er for putting me In here. and Ill come
home. wherever that may be. l sup
pose It's in a dirty garret. But tell
your mother that | won't permit her
| to do the work for the family. | know
where l can get $40 week as porter.
It's pretty hard to take such place
after having employed hundred men
myself but I've learned that what
can't be cured must be endured"
"Oh, poppy" The boy threw bis arms
spasmodically around his fathers neck,
gave him quick hug and kiss. jumped
down and ran away to announce the
success of bis mission.
1t was several days after this before
the red tape that held John Decker In
prison for not paying his wife her all
| mony was cut and he walked out a
free man. The hour was In the aft.
| ernoon. Boarding an elevated train
he started for all address uptown that
had been given him as the abode of his
wife and children. Leaving the train
he passed down cross street Com
ing TO the number that had been given
him as his family abode. he concluded
there had been mistake. The place
was handsome apartment house. Al
the elevator he asked the uniformed
boy IL he knew where Mrs. Decker
| lived.
Fifth hoor." replied the boy.
Wonderingly the ex-prisoner entered
fle elevator. and when 1t stopped John
ny's eyes were glistening through ths
grating. In another moment reunited