When Chase got about he did some drudgery at Talbot’s home. Then one day he came to tell Andy that Talbot had got him a position. Chase was well acquainted with prison ways. Talbot had quite some political influence, and the forlorn old wreck was installed as lockup-keeper at the town jail.
Once a week regularly he came to visit Andy at the garage. It was usually Saturday nights, after the others had gone home. Chase would bring along some dainty for Andy to cook, and they would have quite a congenial time. During all this time Chase never touched a drop of liquor. He told Andy he had received the lesson of his life, leaving him crippled in one limb, and that he would show Andy his gratitude for his rescue by keeping the pledge.
“Mr. Chase,” now said Andy, “there is something you can do for me, if you will.”
“Speak it out, Andy,” responded the lockup keeper eagerly.
“I want to send a telegram to a friend right away. They have taken all my money from me, but the message can go collect.”
Chase hobbled down the corridor rapidly to return with paper and pencil.
“Write out your message, Andy,” he said. “I’ll see that it goes without delay.”
Andy wrote out a telegram to John Parks. It ran:
“Under arrest on a false charge. I want to see you on important business.”
Chase took the message, put on his hat, and going to the barred door tapped on it.