The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-01-15
I he Tttrra
Of the Page
ScNwrwas ss W, G, Chapman,
BY FRANK FILSON

X, tf <SSlNSSSs ~ W>S SNsplNan)
sCome along, 49," said the head
wander eheerMisS clapping an enorm-
Gus hand upon tho young mans shoul-
| der. THE chief wants to say good.
bye TO YOU"
The convict stepped out Of his cell
/, and followed the head warder obedi.
entity Three years OF discipline had
taught him to ask no questions; to
4 demand no reasons. Hc hardly dared
! TO hope that tho pardon board had
granted his petition.
\ ""Tention. Eyes front! said the
Aead warder mechanically, and the
convict mechanically obeyed. But the
| governor stretched out his hand and
took the convict's in a hearty clasp.
"The board of pardons has granted
sou your freedom, Graves" he said.
Il strongly recommended it at the
last monthly meeting. 1 know that
sou will run straight in future. If you
shouldn't, remember that the dishonor
and shame will be mine, and 1t will
be just SO much harder for the rest of
us. Here's letter from your mother
in Mapleton," he added, handing the
missiye to the prisoner.
Graves read it and the governor
watched him curiously. The young
fellow had impressed him fayorably
ever since he had entered tho penitep-
tiary three years before to serve n
first sentence for forgery. He had
been model prisoner; but he seemed
curiously hard. Even now he seemed
unaffected either by the letter or by
his release
"Yes, sir, I'll run straight in future"
he answered.
Good" answered the governor.
"And my advice to you is, go home to
your mother. You have about thirty
seven dollars coming to you. Go
home, face the world in your home
town, be a man and begin your life
anew. You will find people kinder
than you imagine. Good morning"
He grasped tho prisoners hand
again and dismissed him. Graves
went out Subdued and 6eferential
though he seemed, he remained total.
ly unmoved
AS matter of fact, Philip Graves
was deeply moved, but for all that he
had not the least intention OF return
ing home. He took the train to the
capital and spent his money in two
days of riotous living
The second evening found him pen
nlless. 1t was cold and dismallv wet.
and the long tramp through tho dismal
suburbs had not raised his spirits. He
sat down on the sidewalk and buried
his head in his hands. That was the
first time he had ever seriously sonsit,-
cred the future
"Forging's NUTS game" one of
the other prisoners had told him soon
atter he was brought to the Jail
Take my tip, lad, cracking a cribs
the only thing worth while. Why, all
you've got to do is to walk in after
the lights are out, take your pick, and
Walk out again. But say, don't carry
a gun, for that don't pay. Just trust
to your legs if you have to get awav
quick"
Graves felt In his pockets. At
the bottom Of one, hitherto overlooked
by him, was a dime. Graves knew
where he could get all the whisky he
wanted for dime-if he chose the
time when tho bartender was not
looking his way. He went there.
Graves tossed off the fiery liuuid.
set down the glass, and went out.
New Years eve! He had not thought
or that. This was the evening for
making good resolutions. The record
Ing angel was writing the title at the
head Of n new page Of life. What
record would his page show this time
next year?
He walked the streets until his head
swan from the liquor. 1t was very
dark and the rain fell steadily. Graves
was wet to tho skin. He walked an
1mmeasurable time, until at last. look
ing up. he saw house.
A flame Of anger burned in his
heart, hotter than tho fire in his brains.
Good resolutions! What were they
for such as he? They were for the
rich, for those who could afford to
keep the laws! He was no fool to be
bound by such code
He crept up the garden, felt lower
window, and found that he could raise
IL. A minute later he was cropping in
side a dining room.
Cautiously he struck and lit q
match. Then he gasped in astonish-
ment. For on the buffet. careIessly