The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-02-01
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association
CHAPTER Y.

Handler glowered darkly at
a n the door that closed behind
him and through which No. 1889 was
10 be unwillngly brought lie would
show this man who had dared to talk
to the lieutenant governor that Billy
Handler was the boss Of Sing Sing
prison and no one else, even lieutenant
governors to the contrary. Discipline
must be preserved. Yes, that was it
the old explanation that always held
good when a prisoner who offended
the warden in any way was meted
out the vengeance that the warden
would not be denied. Once there was
q thin chested cough racked little
election inspector doing three" for
crooked work at the polls who had
had his front teeth kicked down his
throat because he would not shine the
wardens shoes. AS for this slick Mr..
Valentine, he was altogether too indie
pendent. too, and the warden would
give him the lesson of his life. He
would
The door opened, and in came Smith,
holding Jimmy Valentine by the arm.
The warden stood at his desk.
Bring him over here" he cried
hoarsely, pointing to the space in front
of his desk.
The secretary slipped his hand up
behind the prisoners neck and with a
violent heave flung Valentine forward
so that he was barely able to prevent
himself from falling fat on his face.
Gritting his teeth, No. 1889 straighten-
ed himself and finally succeeded in
suppressing the impulse that surged
within him to spring at his cowardly
assailant's throat. Probably it was
the realization of the fact that he
knew himself to be more than an
equal for Smith in a 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 n rushing railway train was
not one to be trihed with. Besides, no
less Il llcISblldSt lulh NtOl sc
the worlds lightweight wrestling cham
pion, had taught Valentine the mys-
teries of the grapevine" the "cross
buttock," the Cornwall heave," the
"hying mare" the black heel" the rib
crushing Scissors" the waist and
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 coward?" he asked
the helpless prisoner in purposely ag-
gravating tones. you're losing your
nerve in this little boarding house Of
mine; that's what's the matter with
you. You haven't any manhood left
in you. And, say, Valentine, when we
have had you here as our guest two
years more you'll be whining around
like a puppy with the pink eye; that's
what you're coming to. It's bound to
get youths life-just like it gets all
the rest Of you thin skinned guys.
Only bum can live this life 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.
81 didn't hit him because I'll square
myself when | get out" answered Val
entine dehantly, land 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 |. But, Handler, you're going to
like 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 sneered, 80 I'm going to
like you. am /? Well, just watch me.
Ill burke you, YOU
Handler lunged around the corner
OF his desk at the prisoner.
Don't burke mev 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 tc
clutch one OF the warden's thumbs
which was carelessly extended out
ward from his banda trick Bothnei
had shown him. Once securing this
thumb. IL could be pulled back OF
twisted TO the breaking point II nee
essary to cause an opponent TO yield
- by drawing the ovtstretcbed sru