The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-06-10
HIS CHANCE
TO BE A MAN

Pickert pulled his SLOUGH hat still
further down over bis eyes. and looked
stealthily at the store as he shuffied
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
IL report did not please him, Pickert
well knew that he was not the one to
show any lenlency In his dealings with
the offender. But he was confident
that his report this time could not fall
to please his superior.
II 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, aud on whose face
the deeds of the last two years had
| not failed to leave their marks?
No. 1t was no use to try TO be decent
once more He got enough from the
spells 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.
ried on In the night. He only su.
| perintended the business-it was by
far the safer way--yet TO him fell che
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.
tain's band.
Since that time he had tried to
thrust all thoughts OF his old home
from his mind, but despite his efforts
il 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 homo 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 we'll 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
Pickert's rough hand stole up TO his
eyes. and he murmursd something un-
der his breath.
As he was passing Q small church
in the most disreputable part Of the
city-near his homs-hs was arrested
by the sound Of singing. Just now
Yves q great revival season. and noon
services were being held IN most Of
the churches.
A feeling which he could not throw
OF impelled him to enter, and he
sneaked into seat BY the door, He
was too wicked to BE- here, he NUT.
tered TO himself-in . minute he
would b moving on-but be would
wait until they had finished singing.
His eyes grew moist ~ he listened
to the hymn. How many times in hts
boyhood he had heard bis mother
sing The Ninety and Nine" Then
he had ben good and honorable. VIVA,
would she say II she could see him
now! II would break her heart.
l The tears fell now upon the ragged
coat. and at that moment Picksrt reg
istered a vow In his heart "I'll be q
man again-it's not too late"
| Then swiftly the though came
What will the Captain say II yor
back out?"
| Then as quickly the answer, II
won't make no difference what he say,
or what he does. I'm tired OF doini
wrong"
II He started to leave the church, bu
he stopped suddenly. petrined will
amasement. The Captain stood by tn,
door! When he had recovered him
self he walked up to him.
II "I'm through doing your dirt,
! work." he whispered hosrsely in hi
= ear. you can do what you want d
mel don't care-I'm through witt
this miserable kind Of . hfe"
II Let u walk along together q littl
ways" was all the Captain said.
II Pickert was astounded. What ha
happensdi AL the Captains bravo
do was gone and his black eyes ha
softened.
II II watched you 60 in-I wante
to see what you was up TO-" the Cal
tain said. after awhile 'and I followed
amt been inside a church befor
for years. You heard that hymn
Pickert. She used to sing II when
was q boy-my mother. I mean. and
made me think of-when I was diffe
ent. But rye bssn too long now
this business to turn over . new lea
but It's not too late for you 10 begi
now. You shall have q chanc