A RETRIEVED REFORM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13137, 27 May 1903, Page 11

A RETRIEVED REFORM.

:(By 0. HENRY.) ‘ A gydrd came to the prison shoe-shop, Srhers Jimmy Valentine was 'assiduously (Hitching uppers, and escorted-him to the £ -out office. There the warden handed Jimmy his pardon, which had been signed /that morning by -the governor. Jimmy '.took it in a tired kind of way. Ho had jarred nearly ten months of a four-year ymtence. He had expected to stay only ') bout three months, at the longest. When iy niau with as many friends on the outside ■j Jimmy Valentino had is received in the I? stir ” it is hardly worth while to cut his ji.air,, /•‘Now, Valentino,” Enid the warden, ! f you’il 'go out in the morning. Brace up, (i'-nd make a man of yourself. You’re not t . bad fellow at heart. Stop cracking safes, pnd live; straight.” “Me I” said Jimmy, in surprise. "Why, £ never crackc 7 a safe in my life. "ph,‘no’” . ughed the warden, "Of course not. Let’s-see, -now. How was it 'iysu happened -to get . sent up on .that., v Ipringfieid job? Was it because you ‘ rouldn’t prove an alibi for fear of comproI.aising somebody in extremely high-toned society,?, - Or. was it simply a case of a ohj' jiijpr that had it in for yon? It s f ilways one or the other with you. innocent "victims," ..' " kla 1” ; said Jimmy, still blankly virtuicus. ‘‘-Why, warden, I never was in, {Suringfield in my life!” ) *“Tak<i him, back, Cronin,” smiled the '’warden'', '* and fix him .up with outgoing 'dlcithcs.' Unlock him at seven in tho mom: dng, and let- him'come to the bull-pen. Setter''think’ overmy advice, Valentine.” At a -auarter-pa;t seven, on the next tooxning' Jimmy stood in the warden’s outer toffice. -fie-had'on a suit of the villain-ously-fitting, ready-made clothes and a pair ip' the stiff, squeaky shoes that the State furnishes to its discharged compulsory iQuests, . The;.clerk handed him a railroad-ticket knd iherfive-dollar’bill with which the Jaw. Expected him to rehabilitate himself "into" (good -, citizenship, and prosperity. The Warden gave him a cigar, and shook hands. Valentine, 9762, was chronicled on the ’books' “'Pardoned by Governor,” and Mr James Valentino walked out into tho sunjfehine;-- / Disregarding the song of the birds, the graving’-vjteeii trees and the smell of -the' flowers,' Jimmy headed straight for fc restaurant. There ho tasted! the first sweet .joys-,.0f-'liberty in tho shape of a broiled .chicken and a bottle of whit© wine—followed- by.a .cigar a. grade better than the one the warden had given him. From there he proceeded leisurely to the depot. He tossed a quarter into the hat of a blind man sitting by the door, and boarded his train. Three hours set him down in a near tho State line. Ho Went to the'Cafe of on© Alike Dolan and shook tiaudk with Hike, who was alone behind the bar.

“ Sony ,we couldn’t make it sooner, Jimmy, ma boy,” said Mike. “Bub we had that protest from Springfield to buck against, and the governor nearly balked. Reeling all right?” '‘Fine,” said Jimmy, “Got my key?" He got his key and went upstairs, unlocking tbq ; dbor' of a room at the rear. Everything' was just as he had left it. There'-pii 'the floor was still Ben Price’s collar-button that had been tom from that eminent detective’s shirt-band when they bad over-powered Jimmy to arrest him. Pulling'out from the wall a folding-bed, ,i Jimmy slid back a panel in the wall and dragged out a dust-cOvered suit case. He opened this and gazed fondly at the finest Bet of burglar’s tools La the East. It was a complete set, made of specially-tempered Efeel,;-the: latest designs in drills, punches, bracks and bits, jimmies, clamps and augers with two'; or threes novelties, invented by Jimmy himself, in which ha took pride. Over seven hundred dollars they had cost him to have made at—a place where they inaic such things for the profession. In half an hour Jimmy went downstairs and through the cafe. Be was mow dressed in tasteful and well-fitting clothes,'’ and carried his dusted and cleaned *»uit case In his hand.

“ Got anything on?”- asked! Mika Dolan, genially, “Me?”'isaid Jimmy, in a puzzled tone. *■l don’t understand. I’m representing the JJJew York Amalgamated Short Snap Biscuit Cracker and Frazzled Wheat Company.”

This statement delighted Mike to such fen extent that Jimmy had to take a seltzer-Ehd-milk on tho spot. Bo never touched! •‘hard” drinks.

A week' after the release of Valentine, 5762, there was a neat job of eafe-buiglaxy done in Richmond, Indiana, with no duo to the author, A scant eight hundred dollars was all that was secured. Two week a after that a patented, improved, burglarproof safe in Loganspoirt was opened like a cheese to tho tune of fifteen hundred dollars, currencyj securities and silver untouched. That began to interest the rogueCatehors. Then an old-fashioned banfc-safo in Jefferson City became active and threw bub of its crater an eruption of bank-notea to-fivo thousand dollars. The bssea.i were now,-high enough to bring the matter.np, intoßen Price’s does of wqrk. By .comparing notes, a remarkable simlfentyin : the.methods of the burglaries was noticed. Bm Price investigated the scenes M tho robberies, and was beard to remark:-

“That's Dandy Jim Valentine’s autograph. He’s resumed business. Look ah that combination knob —jerked out as easy as palling ap ,u. radish in wet weather. Ho’» got the oiuy’’ clamps that can do it. And look how clean jthoea tumblers were punched out! Jimmy never has to drill but ona hole. Yes, I guess I want Mr Valentine. Eo’ii do his bit next time without any phort-feime or clemency foolishness.” Ben Brice knew Jimmy’s habits. Ho had learned them while working up the Bpringfield case. Long jumps, quick g»t&ways £ ho confederates'and s tarts for good

society—these ways had helped Mr Valentine to become noted as a successful dodger of retribution. It was given out that Ben Price had taken up tho trail of tho elusive cracksman, and other people with burglar-proof safes felt more at ease. One afternoon Jimmy Valentine and his suit case climbed out of the mail-hack in Elmore, a little town five miles off the railroad down in the black-jack country of Arkansas. Jimmy, looking like -an athletic young senior just home from college, went down the broad sidewalk toward the hotel. A young lady crossed ..the street, passed him at the corner and entered a door over which was the sign “The Elmore Bank.” Jimmy Valentine looked into her eysa, forgot what he was, and became another man. She lowered her eyes and coloured slightly. Young men of Jimmy’s stylo and looks were scarce in Elmore, Jimmy collared a boy that was loafing on the stops of the bank as if he were one of the stockholders, and began to ask him questions about the town, feeding him dimes at intervals. By and by the young lady came out, looking royally unconscious of the young man with the suit case, and went her way. “Isn’t that young lady Miss Polly Simpson?” asked Jimmy, with specious guile. “Naw,” said the boy. “She’s Annabel Adams. Her pa owns this hank. What’d you come to Elmore for? Is that a gold watch-chain? Pm going to get a bulldog. Got any more dimes?” Jimmy went to tho Planters’ Hotel, registered as Ralph D. Spencej and engaged a 'room. He leaned on tlfk desk and declared his platform to tho clerk. He said he had come to Elmore to look for a location to go into business. How was the shoe business; now, in the town?' He had thought of, the .shoo business. Was there an opening? The clerk was impressed by tho clothes and manner of Jimmy. He, himself, was something of a pattern of fashion to the thinly guilded youth of Elmore, but he. now perceived his shortcomings. While trying to figure out Jimmy’s manner of tying his four-in-hand he cordially gave information. :;;;Yes, there ought to bo n good opening 5h the shoe line. There wasn’t an exclusive shoe store in tho place. The dry-goods and general stores handled them. Business in all lines was fairly good. Hoped Mr Spencer would decide to locate in Elmore. He would find it a pleasant town to live in, and the people very sociable. Mr. Spencer thought he would stop over In tho town a few days and look over the situation. No, the clerk needn’t call the . boy. He would carry up his suit case, himself; it was rather heavy, Mr Ralph Spencer, the phccnix that arose from Jimmy Valentine's ashes—ashes left by the flame of a sudden and alterative attack of love—remained in Elmore, and prospered. He opened a shoe store and secured a good run of trade. Socially he was also a success, and made many friends. And ha accomplished the wish of his heart. He met Miss Annabel Adams, and became more and more captivated by her charms. At the -end of a year the situation of Mr Ralph Spencer was this; he had won tho respect of the community, his shoe store was flourishing, and ho and Annabel were engaged to be married in two weeks. Mr Adams, the typical, plodding, country banker, approved- of Speiicev. Annabel’s pride in him almost equalled her affection. He was as much at home in tho family of Mr Adams and that of Annabel’s married sister as if he were already a member. One day Jimmy sat down in his room and wrote this letter, which he mailed to, the safe address of one of his old friends in St Louis:

“ Bear Old Pal: —I want you to be at Sullivan’s place, in Little Rock, next Wednesday night, at nine o’clock. I want you to wind up soma liette matters for me. And, also, I want to make you a present of my kit of tools. I know you’ll be glad to get them—you couldn’t duplicate the lob for one thousand dollars. Say, Billy, I’ve quit tho old business—a year ago. I’ve got a nice store, I’m making an honest living, and I’m going to marry the finest girl on earth two weeks from now. it’s the only life, Billy—tho straight one. I wouldn’t touch a dollar of another man’s money n,ow for a million. After I get married I'm going to sell oat and go West, where there won’t ha so much danger of having old scores brought up against me. I tell you, Billy, she’s an angel. She believes in mo 3 and I wouldn't do another crooked thing for the whole world. Be sure to be at Suite's, for I must see you. I’ll bring along tho tools with me.—Your oldfriend, Jimmy.” On the Monday night after Jimmy wrote this letter Ben Price jogged unobtrusively into Elmore in a livery buggy. He lounged about town in bia quiet way until he found out what ho wanted to know. From the drug store across the street from Spencer’s shoo store he got a good look at Ralph D, Spencer. “Going to marry the banker’s daughter, are you, Jimmy?” said Ben to himself, softly. “Well, I don’t knowl” Tho next morning Jimmy took breakfast at tho Adams’s. He was going to Little) Rock that day to order his wedding-suit and buy something nice for Annabel. That would bo the first time h© had left town since he came to Elmore. It bad been mol's than a year now since those last professional “jobs,” and ho thought he could) safely venture out. After breakfast quite a family party went down town together—Mr Adams, Annabel, Jimmy, and, Annabel’s married sister with her two ’ little girls, aged five and nine. They cams by the hotel where Jimmy still boarded, and ho ran up to his room and brought along his suit case. Then they went on to the bank. There stood- Jimmy’s horeo and buggy find Dolph Gibson, who was going to drive him over 1 to the railroad station. All went inside the high, carved oak railings into the banking-room—Jimmy included, for Mr Adams’s future son-in-law was welcome anywhere. Thei clerks were pleased to be greeted by the good-looking, agreeable young man who was going to many iliss Annabel. Jimmy-net Ms suit)

case down, Annabel, whoso heart was bubbling' with happiness and lively youth, put on Jimmy’s hat, and picked up the suit case. “Wouldn’t I make a nice drutasaid Annabel. “My!. Ralph, how heaivy ib is? Feels like it was full of gold bricks.”

“Lob of nickel-plated shoe-horns in there,” said Jimmy, coolly, “that I’m going to return. Thought I’d save express charges by taking thorn.'up. I’m getting awfully economical.” The Elmore Bunk had 1 just put in a new safe and vault. Mr Adams was very proud! of it, .and insisted on an inspection by everyone. Tha vault was a small one, but it had: a new, patented door. It fastened with three solid steel bolts thrown simultaneously with a single handle, and had a time-lock. Mr Adams beamingly explained its workings to Mr Spencer, who showed a courteous, but not ton intelligent, interest. The two children, May and Agatha, were delighted by the shining metal and.' funny clock and! knobs. While they were thus engaged Ben. Price sauntered in and leaned, on bis elbow, looking casually inside between the railings. He told the teller that he didn't want anything; ho was just waiting for a man ho knew.

Suddenly there was a scream or two from the women, and a commotion. Unpcrceived by tho elders, May, tho nine-year-old girl, in a, spirit of play, had shut Agatha in tho vault. She had then shot tho bolts and! turned the knob of the combination ns she had seen Mr Adams do.

Tho old banker sprang to tie handle and tugged at it for a. moment. “ Tho door can’t bo opened,” he groaned. “ Tho clock hasn’t been wound nor the combination set.”

Agatha’s mother screamed hysterically. “ Hush!” said Mr Adams, raising his trembling hand. “All 'ba quiet for a moment. Agatha!” ho called as loudly as ho could. “ Listen to me.” During tho following silence they could just -hear the faint sound of tho child wildly shrieking in the dork vault, in a, panic of terror. “My precious darling!” wailed the mother. “ She will die of fright! Open the door! Oh, break ib open! Can’t you men do something?” “There isn’t n. man nearer than Little Rock who can open that door,” said Mr Adams, in a shaky voice. “My G-odl Spencer* what-shall wo do? That child 1 -— she can’t stand' it long in here. There isn’t enough air, and, besides, shsTl. go 'into convulsions from fright.” Agatha’a mother, frantic now, beat the door of the vault with her hands. Somebody wildly suggested dynamite. Annabel turned to Jimmy, her large eyes full of anguish, but not yet despairing. To a. woman nothing seems quite impossible to tho powers of tho man she worships. “ Can’t you .do. something, Ralph—try, won’t you?” Ho looked' at her with a queer, soft smile on his lips and in his keen eyes. “Annabel,” ho said, “give me that rose yon are wearing, will you?” Hardly believing that the heard him aright, she unpinned tho hud from , tho besom of her dress, and placed it in his hand. Jimmy stulfed it into his vest pocket, threw'off his coat and pulled up his shirt-sleeves. With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed 1 away and Jimmy Valentine took his place. “Get away from the door, all of you,” he commanded', shortly. He set his suit case on the table, and opened it out flat. From that time on he ; seemed to bo unconscious of the presence of anyone else. He laid out tho shining, queer implements swiftly and orderly, whistling softly to himself as ho always did l when at work. In a deop silence and immovable, the others watched him as if under a spell. In a minute Jimmy’s pet drill was biting smoothly into tho steel door. In ten minutes —breaking his ora burglarious record —ho threw back the bolts and opened the door. - Agatha, almost collapsed, but safe* was gathered into her mother’s arms. Jimmy Valentine pub on his coat, and walked 1 outside tho railings toward the front door. As. he went he thought ho heard a far-away voice that ho once knew call “ Ralph!” But he never hesitated. At the door a big man stood somewhat in his way. “ Hello, Ben 1” said Jimmy, still with his strange smile. “ Got around at lastj have you? Well, let’s go. I don’t know that it makes much difference, now.” And! then Ben Price acted rather strangely. “ Guess you’re mistaken, Mr Spencer,” he said. “ Don’t believe I recognise you. Your buggy’s waiting for you, ain’t it?” And Ben Price turned and strolled down the street.-