The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-05-01

IN. lie looked more cheerful than he
had ia the morning, and smiled, and
praised the appearance Of the table. But
there was look of frm determination 10
his face that | had not seen there before,
and it troubled me to know what Il be-
tokeDed.
"Well, mother, be said, 'if everything
Is ready, we'll cat, for Tm as hungry as a
bear and after supper | have something
important TO tell you" -"
These last words he spoke hcsitatingly,
but ] was glad to know that he was about
to unburdeu his soul Of whatever secret il
contained
80 we sat down to the table. was
just pouring out the tea when there came
a loud and unexpected rap at the door.
opened it and found Mr.. Heating, the con.
stable. lie lived not far Of, and had been
friend Of my husband.
Good evening, Mr.. Kcating," / said.
"Good evening, madam" he replied ,
"does Jamie Riley live here ?"
"And don't you know he lives here p
answered
is he at home
Surprising he is, what then 2"
81 must sec him. have an order for
his arrest"
"What do you mean by that p asked
angrily, surely you're joking, Mr.. Keat.
ing You wouldn't take jamie to iail,
you know he never did an evil deed.
''lts sad duty" answered the consta.
bic, "but arrest him | must if he's in the
house
"Well, he's not in the house nor has he
been here tonight"
Before these words were fairly out Of
my mouth, Jamie himself stepped to the
door.
lie had listened to all our conversation
and now he spoke in his clear manly voice
81 am ready to accompany you, MIR
Heating, but with what crime am charg.
cd?"
Mr.. Heating spoke very low SO that
would not hear, but hear | did, and the
words made me faint and sick. tried "a
banish the horrible suspicion of my son
guilt, but | could not forget how the bell
had changed the night before.
"Mr Keating," said, as calmly as
could, though my voice trembled, evil
you let me speak to my son one minute 2
Certainly, Mrs Riley"
Then the lad came into the room. and
the constable stood without the door, aud
| took the boys hand in mine, aud look
ing up into his face | spoke these words
Jamie Riley, by the love you bear me
by the memory Of your dead fathsr, by III q
hope of your soul 5 salvation, speak truly
are you guilty or innocent?"
Innocent, mother-before God, limo
cent, and he bent down and kissed m,
wriuklsd forehead, and lifted the great
load Of doubt
Then 80, darling" | said, "and ma,
the Lord in His mercy watch over yor
and bring you forth from this tribulation.
80 jamie went away with the consta
Bile, aud sat all night by the Fireplace
moaning and crying as | thought of M,
poor boy in the cold cell Of the Jail.
When the morning dawned | tried tc
arouse myself to the duties of the day, bu
oh how lonely aud dcsolate the Iittl,
kitchen looked, and when laid the tabl,
and put Jamie's plate at the accustomed
place, and thought how, perhaps, for Ions
days he would not be there to eat an,
more, my eyes filled with tears and | could
do nothing. The news Of JAMES arresi
spread quickly through the village. Wher
they told it to Maggie Ryan, the brav,
girl tied on her hood, and going straight
to the jail, demanded an interview with
her lover
She never doubted his innocence for 4
moment, and there, with the bleak dreary
walls surrounding her, she remained to be
true and faithful to him always, and de
vote every energy in securing his vindica
tion and release.
Her presence cheered Jamie, and she
came from the jail to my cottage, bringing
many hopeful messages from my dear boy
From her | first learned tac full charge
against him.
Ii seems that on Sunday night Jamie
had been seen near the PRESBYTERIAN
church, shortly before the fire was discoy.
cred there.
Nor was this the worst. Joseph Milward
whose father owned the factory where my
son worked, was ready to swear tbat he
saw Jamie rush from the vicinity of the
vestry where the FIRE broke out, aud that
he spoke to him as he passed, David
Butler, a wealthy young man, was Mil.
wards companion, aud his statement was
the same.
Jamie's examinatien-the preliminary
examination they called it---.took place on
Tuesday The magistrate heard the eyi.
dencc, and said that he must commit the
prisoner to await the action Of the grand
jury, We might have got him out on bail,
but there was no one to become his bonds.
man, for though jamie had plenty Of
friends, they were all poor. The boy spoke
no harsh words whatever. Twill make
no difference to me, mother he said.
when | visited him ia his cell, "for the
jury is ia session, and it they iiud an in.
dietment against me, shall be tried 10 a
few days, You have money enough saved
up to live on these many weeks aud they
will acquit me in the eud. -
"Bot, Jamie" lasked, ,"what does young
Milward mean BY his evidenceg He has
peuured himself, has be notg'' "
jamie hid his face in his hands Cor. n
moment, and then looking up he said,
resolutely
u cannot answer Jour question, mother
God Must judge between him aud nc. !"
Then, changing the subject s--eCau YOU
got me lawyer, mother
~Of course eau, and will.p
SO after a liule more talk, / left Jamie.
aud sought the Office of Squire Carnan.
A good naR the squire was, apd an honest
lawyer. When be discovered who | was,
and my business, he told nc bluntly that
he did not wish u undertake the case.
"Are y0n afraid that Ia not paw you Yn
asked. "li it costs years Of labor YOU
shall receive every cent Of ehatgs. "
He s4iled sadly,
HNo, madam, tbs not the money ha
said, ''but ! do not like 20 feol tha. the
saving Of anybOdys life depended on my
efforts"
eIitel' ! replied. would they hang
Jamie Z"