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

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rd himself and finally succeeded III
supprrSsiug the Impulse that Surgcd
within him to spring 1T his cowardly
assailantS throat. Probably ii was
the realization Of the fact that he
knew himself to be more than al
equal for Smith in i hand TO hand
conflict that enabled him to restrain
himSelf-the contempt Of Il strong.
confident man for an ignoble inferior.
Smith was larger and heavier. yes
hut the man who had hip locked the
burglar Cotton and had thrown him
hcadong 10 his death from the win
low of rushing railway train was
rot one to I've tritled with. Besides, no
less Il parsonage than George Bothner.
The worlds lightweight wrestling cham
pan. had taught Valentine the mys
te!!cs of the grapevine" the cross
buttock," the "Cornwall heave," the
'hting mare" the back heel" the riE
crushing Scissors the waist ana
crotch holds and even the tortures OF
the deadly >trsngle holds. front and
rear.
Handler bent over his desk, resting
both his hands upon it. and sneered
ut Valentine
WHY didn't You smash him when
he hit you. you coWardT' he asked
the helpless prisoner i'll purpoScly ag
gravatiuS tones you're losing ycur
nerve in this little boarding house of
rhine: that's what's the matter with
you. You haven't any manhood left
i'll you. And. say. Valentine. when We
have had yGu here rs our guest two
years mni.' you'i! i,p whining around
like Il puppy with the pink eye; that's
what you're coming TO. Its bound to
get yn:! this Iife-iUSt like il gets all
IL" rest VI 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
der we'll knew they would. Eut the
prisoner was determined that he would
show ilo Sims OF weakening before the
two men who hated him.
Il didn't lit hiiu because I'll square
myself when 2ct out" answered Val.
entnp detiantly. and there are Il few
little things That | will square With
you. TOO. Mr.. Warden Handler. You
know yen hAvn me il your power. and
so d. | HUt. Handler. you're going to
like re better from now on because
reaIi";lg 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-
| clloogy 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.
| III burke you. YOU
| Handler hinged around the corner
of his desk at the prisoner.
Don't burke me- cried Valentine
desperately.
Eyes cleaning with his vensefu-
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 wardens 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 assaiant helplessly over his head
and on to the floor III 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,
thought tan inspiration he 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 refiec-
lively.
Cod be pondered. Suppose the
lieutenant governor should get on ia
those deals in the contracts for sup
plies? He might. and then I'd need
him to be my friend
Handler reached out, picked up box
| from tba dusk and extended il TO the