The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-26


warden's 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. 1888 straighten-
ed himself and finally succeeded In
suppressing the impulse that surged
within him TO spring at his cowardly
assailants throat. Probably 1t was
the realization Of the fact that no
knew himself to be more than an
equal for Smith in a hand 10 hand
conflict that enabled him 10 restrain
bimself-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 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
"Aving mare" the black heel" the rib
crushing scissors" the waist ana
crotch holds and even the tortures or
the deadly srangle holds, front and
rear.
Handler bent over his desk, resting
both his hands upon IL, and sneered
at Valentine.
"Why didn't you smash him when
he hit you. you cowardY he asked
the helpless prisoner in purposely ag-
gravating tones. You're losing your
nerve in this little boarding house or
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 you-tbis life-just like 1T gets all
the rest Of you thin skinned guys.
Only a bum can live this life and keep
his mind and bis manhood"
The cruel words of the warden sank
deeply into Valentines soul. as Han
der well knew they would. But me
prisoner was determined that he would
show no signs of weakening before the
two men who hated him.
81 didn't hit him because IN square
eHtYfgf d hSen get out" answered val val,
little things that l will Scare with
you, too, Mr.. Warden Handle Won
know you have me in your power, . nd
so do l. But. Handler, you're going :
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 10 learn of the psy-
chology of Jail wardens. Handlers
face took on malignant expression.
"Oh" he sneered, so I'm going to
like you. am /? Well, just watch me.
I'll 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 to
clutch one of the warden's thumbs.
which was carelessly extended out
ward from his banda trick Bothner
had shown him. Once securing this
thumb. 1t 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 he did so. Valentine
could bend sharply forward and throw
his assailant helplessly over his head
and on TO the floor in a 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.
a thought Gan inspiration he after
ward considered it to be- flashed
through his brain. The warden halt
ed, much to the amazement 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
hand on his desk and with the other
stroked his heavy, square chin refiec-
lively.
God" he pondered. Suppose the
lieutenant governor should get on 10
those deals in the contracts for sup
tlies? He might. and then Ia need
| aim 10 be nv friend"