y
afternoon of our parting in the Warden's office he wrote me the following
letter. It is made public with considerable reluctance, because it seems
like violating a sacred confidence. On the other hand when I spoke to Jack
about the matter his reply was characteristic. "Print it if you want to,
Tom. Whatever I have said or written you can do anything you like with;
and especially if you think it will help the League."

So here is the letter.

Sunday, Oct. 5, 1913.

My dear friend Tom:

No doubt you must think me a great big baby for the way I acted while
in your presence this afternoon. I had no idea that you would call
upon me so soon after your release, although I hardly think it would
of made any difference whether it had of been a week from this
afternoon; I would have acted the same.

The week that I spent working by your side was the most pleasant as
well as the most profitable one of my life, and God, how I hated to
see you go.

But your lecture this A. M. in chapel was the most wonderful I ever
heard. Many was the heart that cried out its thankfulness to God for
sending you into us, and many a silent promise was made to the cause
for which you gave up a week of your happiness and freedom to solve.

And Tom, you have made a new man of me, and all that I ask and crave
for is the chance to assist you in your works. I would willingly
remain behind these "sombrous walls" for the rest of my life for this
chance. I know and feel that I can do good here, for there are a good
many in here that knows me by reputation; and if I could only get
them under my thumb and show them that it does not pay to be a
gangist or a crook, or a tough in or out of prison. As I told you
to-day, I have no self-motive for asking this request; for if
successful I know and feel that the reward which awaits you in the
hereafter mayhap awaits me also; and I am willing to sacrifice my
freedom and my all in order to gain the opportunity of once more
meeting face to face and embracing my good, dear mother whom I know
is now in Heaven awaiting and praying for me.

To-morrow, Monday, Oct. 6, I shall request one of the boys in the
basket-shop to draw up a resolution pledging our loyalty to your
cause; and I shall ask only those who are sincere to sign it. After
this has been done I am going