Too Handy with a Pen.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1812, 16 February 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Too Handy with a Pen.

Ex-Senator Thomas J. Cueamer tells a good story of the palmy days when the Hon. Paddy Burns was a Deputy Sheiiff. Ho was frequently detailed to take convicted prisoners to Sing Sing piison. One day, as he approached the entrance, a mild-mannered prisoner held out a pair of small white hands chained together with handcuffs. "Sheriif," he said, in pitiful accents, "look at those hands. They will be no good in the quairies. I'm here for ten yeare. It'll kill me to go into quarries. You might asf well put a titled lady in a laundry." "Ah, be aisy, now," said Paddy. "You talk so much you twisht the eye o£ me." " I've a hundred dollar bill in my vest pocket, and —" " Whisper, whisper," broke in Paddy with sudden interest " It's my last hundred dollars," the prisoner continued in a low tone, " and it's yours if you'll only keep me out of the quairies." " What can ye do now ? " Paddy inquired. " Any light work," was the reply. " Can't you get me something easy ?" "Well —now —l don't know. Are yehandy wid a pin 1" " Handy with a pen ? " repeated the captive with sudden energy. "JQeavens, man, I'm too handy. That's what I'm here for." —N. Y. Sun.