Year: 1876

4
out into the open air free man.
| On arriving in town was much
chagrined and disappointed to find
my bird flown, but determined to
make an effort TO recapture him.
After pretty thoroughly hunting the
town, | came to the conclusion that
he had left, and most likely would
pay his girl visit the first thing; SO
hiring horse and buggy, | struck
out for Montezuma, which was on .
direct line to her house. l arrived
at the hotel after dark, and learned
from the clerk that Jim had taken
his supper there, aud if he was still
in town | would probably find him
across the square, at saloon where
he had frequently made his head.
quarters.


/ went cautiously up and looked
in. but he was not among the three
or four loungers around the bar. |
stepped in, however, and called for a
cigar, and while lighting it heard a
party playing cards in back room,
with the door slightly ajar. 1t took
mo only a moment to glance at the
group and spot Jim engaged in the
game.


Fearing to make myself known to
him without authority or assistance,
| went out, hunted up the sheriff, and
"All right, sir" said he. "I'll have
to do my duty, though Jim's good
fellow, and | believe its the FIRST
crooked thing he ever was guilty of.
We went over. stayed out at
the door while the sheriff went in
and told Jim he wanted him. They
came out and when Jim saw me he
said:


swell, Pm in your clutches again.
| mi ight as we'll kept away from here
and got out of the country, but l
just didn't care to try it again, and
would rather stand my fate than to
roam among strangers with the brand
of Cain upon me, with the thought
that | was fugitive from Justice
So you can 60 ahead, and do what
you will with me. I'm sick and tired
of this business, and it matters little
what becomes of me. But" he con-
tinued lamentingly, Il do hate awful
ly to have to go back to that Jail at
Oskaloosa. I've spent your money,
but if could have chance, I'de
work faithfully and honestly to make
up every cent you have lost. I'll 60
for substitute-anythiny SO that !
can rid myself of the eternal misery
Of consoience!'


After | had retired l thought OF
what Jim said about his going to be
a substitute, and revolved in my
mind whether it would not be money
for us to sell him rather than to pros
ecUte him.


About this time there had been a
call for more one year troops by con-
scription. The draft had been made
and large sums we're being advertised
and paid for substitutes. The draft
ed men were rendezvoused at Grinnell
and substitutes were scarce. knew
there would be no difficulty in selling
my man, and as he proposed going, l
made up my mind that in the morn
ing l would drive over to Grinnell
with him and sell him into the SER
vice.


He was only too glad to go, and in
less than an hour had him hargained
off for six hundred dollars, the money
to be paid to me as soon rs he was
sworn into the service, which had to
be done at Camp Mcclellan, in Dav.
export.


In company with the conscript and
my willing prisoner | took the train
for Davenport, went out to camp
headquarters, saw Jim sworn into
the United States service, the con-
script got his release papers, got
the six hundred dollars in currency,
and after taking a soldiers lunch with
Jim, l bade him goodbye and went
home.


In short time sold my interest
in the pump factory and engaged in
the mercantile business. One day;
almost year from the date Of that
enlistment, who should walk into my
store but Jim himself, much stouter
and heartier looking than before, an d
cheerful as could be. He greeted
me merrily, and said he had served
his time out, returned to Davenfort,
got an honorable discharge, a new
suit Of citizens clothes, and before
going out to see his girl and friends
thought he would drop in and call it
"quits" with me, and that if l was
satisfied he was. Iassured him was,
and then he resolved that with the
Almighty's assistance he would lead
straight life the balance Of his days.
Although l have never heard from
him since that time, l hope he has
kept his resolve.


Five boys took all of Friday to
catch fish. They tramped about fif-
teen miles. lmbedded a hook in n