the twin hells(两个地狱)-第36章
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would run stolen property out into the country and exchange it for other
property in which he would have a good title and which he could take to
his livery barn and feel safe with it there。〃
〃What did you do with your money； John？〃 I inquired。
To this question he answered that in Kansas City he had a suite of
rooms fitted up in elegant style； and kept a mistress。 Upon this woman he
squandered all his money； obtained honestly and dishonestly。 In addition
to his horse…thieving raids he had several other sources of criminal
revenue。 One of these sources he described as follows： 〃I kept a horse and
wagon； the wheels of which were covered with india rubber。 The feet of
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the horse were also encased in the same material。 I could move about the
streets of the city in the late hours of the night without making any
disturbance； and would pick up anything I could lay my hands on that I
could convert into money。 I have carried away many a stove and broken it
up and sold it for old iron。 I would also make my way out into the country
and pillage。 Often I would enter small towns and load up my noiseless
wagon with stolen goods； which I would take out of the stores。 All of this
money I would foolishly spend on the woman I loved。〃
〃How did you happen to get caught？〃
〃One day on the streets of Kansas City I accidentally met an ex…
convict whom I knew while in Jefferson City penitentiary。 He was
penniless and somewhat shabby。 He suspected me of crooked work； and
wanted to go with me on a 'horse raid。' At first I refused to take him with
me； as it has always been my rule to go alone when in the crooked
business。 He persisted and urged me to let him go along。 At last I yielded
to his appeals； and we started from Kansas City。 I have never been back
since。 My 'pal' was caught on this trip and offered to turn State's evidence
if he could regain his liberty。 He was allowed to do this。 I was tried and
got a ten years' sentence。 He went free。〃
〃What became of the woman？〃 I asked。
〃When in jail at Leavenworth and in need of money to pay my lawyer；
I wrote her a letter informing her of my trouble； and begged her to send
me some money。 She forgot to answer that letter； and I have never seen or
heard from her since that time。〃
〃I suppose when your time is up you will hunt her up and fit up
another suite of rooms； won't you？〃
〃Never；〃 said he。 When I get out I am going to lead an honest life and
take care of my money。 It does not pay to get money by crookedness。 Such
money never does one any good。〃
Having imparted this information he bade me good night and went
over to another part of the ward； where he took his place beside the cot of
a dying convict。
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CHAPTER XI
CANDIDATE FOR THE STATE SENATE
The author of this book has been guilty of a great many bad breaks
during the course of his earthly pilgrimage up to the present date。 Making
the race for State senator from the Atchison district while an inmate of the
Kansas penitentiary； actually an occupant of a felon's cell； and robed in the
livery of disgrace； probably eclipsed anything that maybe charged to my
account in the past。
One Sunday afternoon； after the usual exercises of the day were over； I
was sitting in my little 4x7 of stone。 The outside world was in convulsions
over the presidential campaign。 There were no convulsions； however；
where I was。 It was painfully quiet。 Everywhere； all over the broad land；
except behind prison walls； politics was the all…absorbing topic。 As I sat
there in my solitude the question came to my mind as to what part of the
great political play I would be engaged in were I a free man。 Some months
prior to this a petition signed by 5；000 people had been forwarded to
President Cleveland for my pardon。 Had I secured my liberty it was my
intention to make the race for State senator in my district for vindication。
Mr。 Cleveland interfered with my plan by refusing my pardon。
Thinking over the matter in my cell that Sunday afternoon； I
determined that while the President had the power of keeping me in prison
he should not keep me from making the race for the position I coveted。
Immediate action followed my decision。 Within thirty minutes I had
written a letter for publication； stating my intention of becoming an
independent candidate。 But how was I to get this letter out of the prison
and into the newspapers of my district。
It is expected of the convict that during Sunday afternoon he will sit
quietly in his cell and meditate about his past misdeeds。 I would be
dishonest if I did not state that my thoughts were now more taken up with
the probable outcome of the course I had adopted than of lamenting over
my past shortcomings。 I reasoned that I was not only pursuing an original；
but a safe course。 Original； in that no one； so far as my knowledge
extended； had ever made the race for office while a convict； safe； in that I
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had nothing to lose and everything to gain。 I will frankly confess that
when the thought； suppose I should not get more than a dozen votes；
would rush into my mind； I would feel as if I had better not be so fresh
while in limbo。 Several times during the afternoon and evening I took up
the piece of paper； on which was written my announcement； to tear it into
shreds； and as often I would lay it down。 I viewed the subject from almost
every conceivable standpoint。 I reasoned as follows： Prior to this I had
decided to write a book on my penitentiary career； as well as to deliver a
lecture at various points in the State on the same subject。 To be successful
in these enterprises I must be advertised。 And I knew that should I
announce myself as a candidate for such an important office while in the
penitentiary I would get a good ventilation。 In this I was not mistaken。
When the announcement appeared in the Leavenworth 〃Times〃 it was
quickly copied and commented upon by the newspapers all over the
country。 Some of these newspapers in their comments stated that I had
more 〃cheek〃 than should be allotted to ordinary mortals。 Some said 〃he is
a nervy cuss。〃 Others said his back isn't broken。 〃Now and then one could
be found that predicted my election。 So the matter was discussed； pro and
con； for several weeks； not only by the newspapers of Kansas； but whole
columns would appear in the St。 Louis； Chicago and Denver papers； as
well as those of other cities。 I was advertised。 It would have cost me
thousands of dollars to pay for the ventilation I received just for making
that little simple announcement； had I been forced to pay the regular rates
of advertising。
But to return。 It was at a late hour of the night when I closed my eyes
in slumber。 Before doing so I had made the final decision； I had crossed
the Rubicon； I had look
