Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-06
The OUTER GATE
By A 90 COHEN
VIII

Bob Terry's out Of the peniten-
tiary, Kathleen"
"Lncle Todds buddy"
"Yes. You know the story, OF
coErseg"
"Yes. The Borden affair. Embez-
element. wasn't it,"
"Embezzlement. And they just
discovered his innocence. hes
served three years. Think Of that
for an innocent boy. It's hard enough
for the guilty"
She half closed her eyes. "Uncle
Todd is very fosd Of him. lie has
written me-and once when ! visited
the prison he pointed Terry out. he
reminded me Of Well, you've seen
a fine actor playing Hamlet, haven't
you? Like that. Walking around the
prison yard by himself and no;
quite understanding what il was all
about. I've never forgotten"
You are quite sorry for him
then ?"
Horribly. 1t is CHASTITY the way
he's been treated. Because you
know, Mr.. Carmody, that theyire rot
going TO make it easy for him."
"Ohl but they are. ! understand
Peter Borden has taken the young
man into his home"
She grimaced with distaste. THAT
conscientious old idiot. he would do
Just that sort Of thing, saving his
own conscience with a gesture. Well,
IL Terry is what | imagine from
what Uncle Todd said"
He won't stand it long, eh?
That's it. sir"
"Just what | think. And then he'll
be pretty well on his rppers." Car
mody had never appeared more be-
nign. "Pve always felt queer about
Todd Shannon, Kathleen. AS though
/ hadn't done everything possible
for HIM. I'm anxious to make up
for it with any friend CT his-and !
know enough, through my practice,
to understand what this boy has
been through and just about what's
ahead of him. Unless I'm all wrong.
he's an innocent man with a Grim
inal psychology. Even his own hand
is against him. Now, you are not
squeamish-"
She flushed. "You mean my uncle
is a convict"
"No. Please, Kathleen I mean
that you know a great deal about
me: more than | would care TO have
most persons know. You know hat
my code Of ethics is not what some
men might admit. You know that /
control some judges, some juries and
a great many individuals. You know
that ! have never attempted TO con-
ceal this from you; il wouldn't have
been possible, for one thing, and for
another"
aDAA 49, tLaR u~u NJ
Carmody. I've been rather bewild-
cred, anyway. But / give you credit
for feeling as | do: understanding
criminals, seeing the human side Of
their weakness-and being sorry.
God knows Uncle Todd's experience
has taught me charity, and because
I'm his niece, I've learned the rest
of the bitter lesson-that TO some
the niece Of a convict"
"And that IS just about what this
boy Terry y going up against. Three
years in the state penitentiary! II
you have left what you have because
your uncle has ~been-weak, think Of
what life will be for this lad. ! like
you, kathleen"-the mans hand
trembled slightly-"and ] am fond
Of Todd. There are ramifications in
this business Of mine where a man
Of Bob Terry's peculiar experience
and psychological twist might prove
usefpl I'm frank. am ! mott ! can
use Terry IL he wishes me to-"
"You don't mem
Dishonesty? Certainly no. Dis
honest men are very easily obtained.
They're all around me: men who
have been in prison and men who
should be. | have use for al young
man who is honest and bitter and
apv=eciative of a helping hand. |
wish to meet him when he comes to
see you"
She looked up in surprise. "Comes
10 see me?"
"Of course he will. He and Todd
shannon were cellmates and buddies
The boy had no other friend in