. At least, the chaplain thought so.
Strange as it may appear to my readers, instead of this noted convict
having to remain and serve out his five years' sentence, through the
influence of this minister he secured a pardon. At the expiration of
eighteen months the shrewd convict was a free man. That chaplain was
"worked."

The fortunate Thomas next visits Atchison. A farmer came to the city one
day, driving a beautiful horse. The temptation was too great, and the
man who had been an inmate of a penitentiary seven different times
followed the unsuspecting farmer to his home, and that night rode away
the coveted prize. The Atchison County Vigilance Committee traced and
soon caught the guilty horse-thief, landing him in Atchison County's
beautiful jail. Shortly after, Thomas had an interview with the county
attorney, and it was agreed by and between them, if the horse-thief
would plead guilty, he should be let off with one year in the
penitentiary. To this the grave offender agreed, and, presenting himself
before the tribunal of justice, Hon. W. D. Gilbert presiding, plead
guilty. The county attorney being absent, the court gave Thomas, instead
of twelve months, a year and a half at hard labor. I met him in the
penitentiary a few days ago, and learned that he is putting forth an
effort to secure a pardon on the ground that had he not been promised
only a one year's sentence, he would have stood trial and been
acquitted. He claims that he should be given his liberty when his one
year is up.

Thomas was out of the penitentiary long enough to go into the army
and get a bullet through his ankle, and therefor draws a pension of
twenty-four dollars per month. He takes good care of his money, and has
enough on hand to enable him to get a good start in life when he obtains
his freedom. He is a well-behaved prisoner. He is true to his pals in
crime, never having been known to turn State's evidence. He has a mania
for taking things that do not belong to him. He claims that he never
would have been caught the last time had not his housekeeper "given him
away." The two had a domestic quarrel, and in her efforts to get even,
she told the authorities of his theft. After his trial and conviction,
womanlike, she repented in sackcloth and ashes, but Thomas would have no
more to do with her. Later, she went over into Missouri, where she has
since died. One of the first things Thomas will do on regaining his
liberty will be to secure anoth