Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-02-17

suppresSiug the impulse that surged
within him to spring at his cowardly
assailants throat. Probably it was
the realizatio Of the fact that he
knew himself to be more than an
equal for Smith in hand to hand
conflict that enabled him to restrain
himself-the contempt Of a strong.
confident man for an ignoble inferior.
Smith was larger and heavier, yes
but the man who had hip locked the
burglar Cotton and had thrown him
headlong TO his death from the win
dow of a rushing railway train was
not one to he trifed with. Besides. no
less a parsonage than George Bothner,
the worlds lightweight wrestling cham
pion. had taught Valentine the mys
teries of the grapevine" the ''cross
bullock" the Cornwall heave," the
''fyinG mare" the back heel" the riE
crushing scissors" the waist ana
crotch holds and even the tortures OF
the deadly Strangle holds. front and
rear.
Handler bent over his desk. resting
both his hands upon it. and sneered
at Valentine.
why didn't you smash him when
he hit you. you cowardT he asked
the helpless prisoner In purpoSely az
gravatinS tones You're losing your
nerve in this little boarding house Of
mine; that's what's the matter with
SnJI havnn't hnf,1 loft
III you. And. say. Valentine. when We
have had sou here us our guest two
years more you'i! ne whining around
like a puppy with the pink eye; that's
what you're coming TO. It's bound to
get yoI! this life-ilSt like ii gets all
the rest of you thin skinned guys.
Only Il bum can live this lite and keep
his mind and his manhood"
The cruel words of the warden sank
deeply into Valentines soul. as Han
dler well knew they would. But the
prisoner was determined that he would
show no signs OF weakening before the
| two men who hated him.
Il didn't hit him because I'll square
myself when get out" answered Val
entine deGantly. and there are few
little things that will square with
you. too. Mr.. Warden Handler. You
| know you have me in your power. and
! so do l. But. Handler. you're going to
; Ike me better from now on because,
realizing my position. have dared go
! against YOU.
But Valentine had mistaken his
man. The respect that one fighting
| man has for another who fights him
squarely found no place in the craven
heart Of Billy Handler. Valentine had
yet something TO learn of the psy-
chology of Jail wardens. Handlers
face took on Il malignant expression.
oh" he snee?eG. so I'm going to
like you. am l? Well. just watch me.
I'll burke you. YOU
Handler lunged around the corner
of his desk at the prisoner.
Don't burke mer' cried Valentine
desperately.
Eyes cleaning with his vengeful-
ness. with hands outstretched, the
warden came headlong at Valentine,
who braced himself to withstand the
shock Of the oncoming body. Crouch
ing. the prisoner primed himself to
clutch one Of the warden's thumbs.
which was careIessly extended out
ward from his banda trick Bothner
had shown him. Once securing this
thumb. it could be pulled back or
twisted to the breaking point If nee
essary to cause an opponent to yield,
or by drawing the outstretched arm
over his shoulder. wheeling his back
to his foe as be did so. Valentine
could bend sharply forward and throw
his assailant helplessly over his head
and on to the floor in Il heap with the
disconcerting flying mare"
But midway in his rush the warden
stopped short. He had caught him.
self just in time. About to throw
himself blindly at his intended victim,
q thought IAN inspiration be after
ward considered it to be- flashed
through his brain. The warden halt
ed, much to the Amusement of his
secretary. Smith. who had been watch
ing the proceedings with unconcern
born Of experience in like happenings.
Then Handler turned away. rested one
land on his desk and with the other
stroked his heavy. square chin refec-
lively.
God" be pondered. Suppose the
lieutenant governor should get on to
those deals in the contracts for sup.
plies? He might. and then I'd need
him to be my friend"