riends at the hotel. But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance,

husiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story

eft the house. At almost every step he had to stop and talk to some one who hailed

hot you made yesterday, Joe,"

first time, I wouldn't have had another chance. He'd hav

l your 'bean ball,' Jo

es to keep some fresh batter from crowding the plate, but this is the first time I ever hit a man in the head. By the way, how is he getting on t

llison has been down to the jail to see him, and though there's a lump

e been staying

Sol. "It would be a wee

g that might make you think he

idea was in coming here. But that's none of my business as long as he pays his bills, and I didn't have any complaint on that score. Paid me a week in advance as soon as he had planked down his grip and regist

re his name is

so that the group could plainly see the name written in a firm business hand. "Then too, his laundry

" jibed Tom Davis. "You're both m

he ridiculous signs that Joe had made and the g

his lodge," said Sam Berry. "I only hav

he strenuous life, but Joe's methods can hardly

y. "I hated to do it, but it seemed the only

s the finest thing that has been done in this old town for many a moon

doorbell this morning," added Sam. "I tell you it made my blood run c

run down to the jail and take a look at this Talham Tabbs. I may g

from that chap," said Ed Wilson, skepticall

the jail, which was located on the southeast edge of the

ing hoboes and to house some participant in a brawl such as took place from time to time between the laborers at the Harvester works. Once in a great while, som

ls, and a large room in which the occupants of the jail were allowed to gather at stated periods for meals and recreation. In addition, there was a room set asi

shook his hand warmly and repeated the congrat

t that time ruled the county. He was slow and easy going and would have been utterly out of place in a larger jail, where strict supervision and discipline were demanded. Bu

s had been exchanged. "I suppose you k

off his perch yesterday in the lumber yard. He's in the hospital room now

, as he followed his conductor through th

id he'd be as good as ever in a day or two. Said though that if that snowball had hit h

t mind?" asked Joe, as the ward

o' sounded him as to his doin's yesterday, but he either didn't recollect or he

assed in and

as lying. It was the first time that Joe had had a chance

Joe had passed him on the street and noticed him at all, he would have set him down as a keen business or professional man. The onl

he recognition was a friendly one. There was no glint of malice or revenge. It was clear that he did not know that it was Joe's hand that had brough

Joe was stumped for a minute, but quickly recovered himself and returned the signal. Then Tabbs went through the same flummery with his right hand, then

ime had looked on with

nkey business mean?" h

d him wit

f the same lodge with me, and because we are brothers h

ook came int

he warden. "He isn't a member, and he might give a

udge at Hank. "Please step outside, Mr. W

still bewilde

king with impressiveness, "I conjure you b

's. It was evident that he took a chi

he said, "and I

Joe. "Do you know a

face wa

d. "Never heard

his baby yesterd

ked. "I just took it for a lark. The

aby needed might well be left to the j

w a man nam

's eyes and he no longer looked strai

al people by that

d he lives at Goldsboro, North Ca

d Tabbs. "Ne

was getting so restless and angry under his questioning that

concluded, as he rose to

afterwards that Joe sensed the meaning that

iley, who was waiti

eeted him, "did you ge

plied Joe. "There isn't much nou

toward the street entrance, "there's no chanc

his importance. "Nobody ain't ever broke out of this jail