Evening star., 1914-10-25
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR OCTOBER IS. 1914


gotten passed into obscure poorly paid of the
Agricultural Department office in Washington.
Jack Steele in Mexico, speaking no Spanish got
poyment in time, at scarcely better than laborer's
work. He wrote long, pentent letters to his father that
never sent Shame and contrition whispered that
it might be best to wait until he could prove worth by
profering the amount stolen. He learned that mans
conscience is the enemy from which he cannot
cape, in Sleep He learned also the hopeessness of
trying to advance country to which, by speech and
knowledge, he totally untitled.
And so, after years persistent struggle, and lued
by the lapse of time into belief that his theft had been
forgotten he returned the southwestern border
and secured c1erkship in a New Mexico town. Just
weeks later the proprietor of the store in which he
worked who also officer, who had taken friendly
liking to him, handed him letter with the comment:
"That's queer one eh?'
lack read it. 1t was an inquiry from information
bureau asking if John Steele probably living under
alias working in that place. Then followed de-
scription that accurate enough to tally, and the
statement that such man had left Mexico on certain
date been by customs officer at the border and
traced as far as the town in New Mexico The fugtves
face betrayed him. and his employer suddenly lifted his
hand.
"If it's anything less than murder he said quietly,
@Id rather you didn't tell what you think of that
letter. And, by the way, if you want to draw any
money you have all that's coming to you at any
draw much as month in advance at any time,
whether you think you'll be able work it out not"
TN Los Angeles the defaulter worked until his fears
= drove him to another flight In San Francisco he
tried until he overheard man with detective badge
making inquiries and in Seattle he made another effort.
For three months he had half peace; for checker
the wharves he scarcely to be suspected and
and to that point of trust he climbed upward thank
fully hopefully. corrupt purser agent for an or
ganized gang of snuggers tried to induce him to accept
a thousand dollars to assist in unlawful work, and
tempted him with offers of many thousands to be
made; but stubbornly fighting to be honest, Jack
refused.
Then day wharf special officer called him behind
huge pile of merchandise, and muttered, 3Im givin
you the Office Boy because I'm for you. Don't stop
to pull your pay. There's private detective here
wantin' Teller named Steele and thinks you're him.
stalled him off He's out at the gate Drop down
the tug there, the Mary D, because she's just casn
off to run down to Smiths Dock. Tell the Captain
it's your day off and you want ride sneaked your
coat out and it's that roll there by number eleven
door, Beat it, and good luck to you! No matter
what you done, don't believe it. because think you re
on the level Goodby!"
This time fight difficult, because he had
little money. 1t sufficient to buy ticket into
Idaho and there drifting broke, he began to beat his
way Kicked off freight train at station where there
was nothing than watertank, soed unkempt,
hungry and tired, he fought his longest and hardest
fight 1t seemed him that in the dregs his place,
that only dregs tramp, bum plferng beg
gng, sneaking, steal
ing, might he remain