The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-02-07
HIS CHANCE
TO BE "A MAN


all that he needed to finish his report,
he had walked this way sAsere
The Captain was a strict man, and
II 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 il 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 toget IL.
and though that was about all, il 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 lit 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
a 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
1t was impossible
Pickert hated the sman. 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 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 murmured something un
der his breath
As he was passing a small church
in the most disreputable part of the
city-near his home-he was arrested
by the sound Of singing. JUS now
was great revival season, ana noon
services were being held in most of
the churches.
A feeling which he could not throw
on impelled him to enter. and he
sneaked into a seat by the door He
was too wicked to be here. he NUT
tered to bimseif--in a minute he
would be moving on-but he would
wait until they had finished singing
His eyes grew moist as he listened
to the hymn. How many times in his
b0yhood he had heard his mother
sing The Ninety and Nine" Then
he had ben good ana honorable. What
would she say if she could see him
now2 1t would break her heart.
The tears fell now upon the ragged
coat, and at that moment Pickert reg
istered a vow in his heart I'm be 4
man again-it's not too late"
Then swiftly the though came.
What will the Captain say If you
back out?"
Then as quickly the answer, 1T
won't make no difference what he SAYS
-or what he does I'm tired Of doing
wrong
He started to leave the church, but
ne stopped suddenly. petrlfed with
The Captain stood BY the
door! When he had recovered him.
self he walked up to him.
I'm through doing your dirty
work" he whispered hoarsely in his
ear. you can do what eyou want to
mel don't care-I'm through with
this miserable kind OF a life.
Let us walk along together a little
ways" was all the Captain said.
Pickert was astounded. What had
happened? All the Captains braya-
do was gone and his black eyes had
softened.
Il watched you 60 in wanted
to see what you was up TO-" the Cap.
tain said, after awhile, and followed.
amt been inside a church before
for years. You heard that hymn,
Pickert. She used to sing It when
was boy--my mother mean, and II
made me think of-when was differ.
ant But I've been too long now in
this business to turn over a new leaf.
but it's not too late for you to begin
now. You shall have chance.
Heres enough tin to take you out
west. When YOU get there go to
work. and start over again"