Sharp County record., 1909-07-23
HIS CHANCE
TO BE A MAN

SCSHJHlly dt IlG SIOlc do uS ohuihSo
past, But in that glance he had seen
all that he needed to finish his report
He had walked this way before.
The Captain was a strict man, and
If report did not please him, Pickert
well knew that he was not the one to
show any leniency in his dealings with
the offender. But he was confident
that his report this time could not fail
to please his superior,
1t was not infrequently that Pickert
wished that he could leave it all. The
desire to be honest again would al
most master him at times, but when
he had about made up his mind, the
thought would come to him that there
was no other place for him in life.
Who would give employment to a
man wearing such rags as he was
obliged to wear and on whose face
the deeds of the last two years had
not failed to leave their marks?
No, it was no use to try to be decent
once more He got enough from the
spoils to keep body and soul together,
and though that was about all, it was
better than not being able to have
even crust and shelter.
The Captain dressed well-almost
elegantly. He did not take an active
part in the affairs which his men car.
red on In the night. He only su.
perintended the business-it was by
far the safer way-yet to him fell the
maximum share Of the ill-gotten gains.
Once Pickert had been honored and
respected, but that was before he
had left his home for the west Not
finding the gold which had lured him
there, he had drifted back to an east,
ern city, and had fallen in with bad
company, and eventually, not having
cent left, he had joined the Cap
tains band.
Since that time he had tried to
thrust all thoughts of his old home
from his mind, but despite his efforts
it was impossible.
Pickert hated the small, dingy room
under the caves which he was
obliged to call home, and to-day he
dreaded more than ever to return to
it. Just now he could not help think.
ing of the home Of his boyhood days
and his mother who had loved and
trusted him. He had left her with
the assurance that some day he would
return with gold enough to give her
everything that heart could wish.
And how well he remembered her
answer Never mind the gold, jim.
All ask is that my boy shall be a
good and an honest man." And he
had told her that he would be all
that she wished, And now
Pickort's rough hand stole up TO his
eyes, and he mufmured something un.
der his breath
AS he was passing small church
IN the most disreputable part of the
clty--near his home---he was arrested
by the sound OF singing. Just now
was a great revival season, and noon
services were being held in most Of
the churches
A feeling which he could not throw
Off impelled him to enter, and he
sneaked into a seat by the door, He
was too wicked to be here, he nut.
tered to himself-in o minute no
would be moving on-but he would
wait until they had finished singing.
His eyes grew moist as he listened
to tho hymn, How many times IN his
boyhood he had heard his mother
sing "rhe Ninety Ond Nine,' Then
he had ben good ana honorable, What
would she say II she could see him
now7 It would break her heart.
The tears fell now upon the ragged
coat, and at that moment Plckert reg.
istered vow IN his heart "rll be a
man agaIn-it's not too late"
Then swiftly the though came,
what viii the Captain say II you
back out?'
Then ~ quickly the answer, ''It
won't mako no difference what he says
Or what he does, I'm tired of doing
wrong"
He started 20 leave the church, but
he stopped suddenly, petrinod with
amOaement, The Captain stood by the
door! When ho had recovered him.
self he walked up to him,
"lm through doing your dirty
work." he whispered hoarsoly In his
/ ear, "You can do what you want TO
mel don't c,Ge--l'm through with
this miserable Kind of u life'
lot ug walk along together little
ways" was all the Captain said.
Plokert was 0stounded, What had
bOpponodY All the Captains bravo
! do was gone and his black oyog had
, 8oitoned,
| II watched YOU 20 ln-I wanted
to see what You was up to-" the Cap.
tain said, after awhile, "and followed.
| amt been inside n church before
, for yeNra, You heard that hymn,
, Plckort She used to slng II whom |
wNs boy--my mother | mean, and II
made me think of=when | wae differ,
emit But I've been too long now IN
AL.