Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-30

We'll. what's the use? Go ahead
get busy with the phone"
You make mo tired" said John
Yale, a bank and pretty girl! That's
Il good start for :: play"
ITS Gods truth. anyhow" protested
Drake ficrccly. you won't believe IT,
perhaps. but my first break came about
through Gertrude's mother. She was
suffering from tuberculosis, but could
be cured IL given proper attention
The family was not we'll fixed financial
ly, so | helped bit-not much. but
enough to reduce the size of my wad.
| tried to even things up in a poker
| game. 1t all occurred in one night.
deliberately Joined a fast set. drank
heavily that evening, played a crazy
| game. lost all the time, and gave an
|. q. L.
THE brute who took it came to the
bank next day and showed it in at my
| window. | asked for time, but he
raised his voice and said if l didn't
come across there would be trouble
| lost my ncrvc-I never was a cast-iron
| proposition. anyhow--and promised to
meet him that evening with the bills.
! When an opportunity offered. took the
money from the drawer. Then began
/
ances. wild plunging to get out of the
mess and an examination OF my books
by hank Inspector. Almost before
knew where was, l heard Judge
giving me two years. And during
those two years in Jail I mover for
| got Gcrtrudc's Shrek through the
courthouse when she heard my SEN
| tence Sir. I've been all In ever since"
| How about the next five years"
| inquired Burton.
| what do you think?" said Drake
bitterly. Prison doesn't reform a man.
| 1t taught me to he q Sure-cnough GRIM
| inal. y ccllmate put me up to few
wrinkles. but we didn't make much
! show in the profession. We were let
out together. were grabbed on our
first job. and was sent UP again-this
| time for five years. The minister got
! hold of me during that time, and
promised, with Gods help. to go
| straight. But 1t was hopeless. 1t al
ways It.
I've been out now a month. tried
! to get a job in an office. The boss
wouldn't even listen when told him
! something of my record. made
| break at a laborer's stunt, but the
| foreman looked al my hands and saw
! ].
/ couldn't even sit In the park that
! cop didn't como along and tell me to
| get move on. The few dollars
had when left the cooler soon melted.
| My heart simply burnt with hate
against everybody in the world
| was an outcast and felt like one. To-
/ night | saw your place, and tried to
| get IN. It's too easy. Any bum thief
/ can slip back window-catch with
! penknifc. Have things properly
/ fixed. That's my advice in return for
/ the food you've given me and your
decent treatment. Now, ring up"
What about Gertrude?"
Drake started. and his worn face
lighted with a sort OF dignity
Guess I've done my worst against
her already" he said. ~ wasn't going
back into her life poor girl
The men bent forward and hid his
face in the thin. nervous. delicate
hands which provided such a cop!ous
index 20 his character.
For long time silence, broken
only 10y brakes sobs. rcigned in the
room. Then Burton said quietly
Lift UP your head. Joe Drake. and
begin 10 imagine yourself a man
again am going TO give you "A chanc.
Youll leave here to-nigh, with som.
money in your pocket and a new hone
IN your heart. Meet me Tomorrow at
II o'clock outside the Atlantic Hotel
and HI take you to an Outhtters &c.
yourself fixed up by barber earlier
Then. with some decent clothes on
:our body. you'll feel cleaner Of soul
am taking chance. but III risk
u, / want secretary who viii at.
tend 70 heap Of routine business
which doesn't interest me. Mind you.
intend TO trust you. You VIII no
longer be Gentleman joe. but Joseph
Lawrence Drake. Gentleman. See tina,
you don't betray my confidence"
Tn" other sprang to his fec'. almost
d""rious with jog and prati,uG.
"Good God! do you really mean H.
ne cried In voice cracked WIN emo
tion.
Il shall not go back on a word I've
haid.' and Burton's outstrctchcd hand
gaze earnest Of his intent.
Drahe broke down utterly As one
In = dr"ain. he pocketed the ."w TN.
Burton handed him; hi. sy.Y were no
blinded With tears that his b.uefactar
had 20 lead him through III. dnDr and
across tn. hall