Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-10
CONTINUED from first Page. J

OF his breeches, there answered the
sergeant, smile of confidence on his
face, that, up to that moment unaware of
the possession of the fatal shilling, the
poor fellow could not possibly rid him
self Of it.
At his words, however, suddenly and
without any apparent cause for their pro-
tlncing such an effect. Dick Harlowe, who
had been standing bowed in discourage
ment, Strengthened himself as If he had
been supplied with a new backbone, and
a strange expression Of wondering relief
went over his face Oddly enough, too.
the widow cIapped her hands as if in
pleased surprise, then leaned over and
spoke few low words in the ear of SUI
san, who thereupon literally danced with
joy and could no longer be restrained
from addressing the magistrate.
Your Worship she said. '.mayhap
YOU will not think me over bold, for Dame
Harlowe and / be in great grief, as your
worship may believe MAY | ask your
worship question before all these peo-
ple.''
Certainly, my pretty girl, if it is one
concerning the object Of this inquiry,
answered Sir Thomas
s.If the Bounty Shilling be found on
Dick Iiarlowe, then, he must go to serve
the king?'' she inquired.
'.lie certainly must do so, my girl, in
that case and you and his mother must
try TO make the best Of what is bad for
you" the magistrate replied. '.For then
the chain Of proof that he really did enlist
will be complete and his own admitted
intoxication at the time, makes him inca
pable Of denying anything that occurred,
with the hope of being believed. am sorry
to say it, but you must sec and understand
80 much"
But again, at this juncture Susan Ack-
ley gave evidence of Il tendency already
once ascribed 10 her-thc propensity to
persist in seeing both sides Of a story.
Zone more question, your worship, il
it be not against rules" she said going
on without waiting for permission. ''lf
the Bounty Shilling be not found on him.
what then? The soldier do say that he
have been all the time with him, so that
he could not ha' had time to spend it; and
that he saw him put it in 4 certain pocket,
il it be not found on him, what then, your
Worship"
''You are determined girl, and an out
spoken one, as well a., | doubt not, a true
and loving one, the magistrate could not
refrain from rcmarking, before answering
the last question as he did with admiring
eyes. full on the Young girls flushed face
IF the Bounty Shilling he not found on
him, when he is searched, as is both his
right and that of the king, then the chain
OF proof fails, and the young man must be
discharged rs never having enlisted. un-
less other evidence than that of the officer
who is Interested, can he brought against
him.
''Let him he searched your worship :"
cried Susan, with rs much tivacity as if
she had been demanding that the man she
loved should he crowned. Dick. lad, let
some one search that pocket, without an
other minute -
search me?" said the man thus threat
ened. who seemed to be almost hopclesslv
dazed for a moment. like one coming in
out of darkness. and blinded with sud-
den light search me? Certainly. lass J
Let any one here put hand on me, and
welcome, except that sergeant who has
done me this mischief, or one of his red
coats
There. your worship hears He is not
afraid to be searched Who shall do it. so
that it shall be all lair and just ~ cried
the young girl her eyes sparkling more
saucily than ever. and her whole manner
that of intense excitement
1t is out of my line OF duty. but the
case is a peculiar one. y said Sir Thomas,
indetinahlv catching the new spirit of the
scene. Il will see then that the young
man turns ont that pocket. and all his
pockets. honestly and completely, if he
has no objection
IL do be thankful to your worship. for
could have asked nothing half so fair
said Dick Harlowe. with his voice hoarse
and his head still in whirl; and, at the
words, he approached the magistrate more
closely. lin which pocket did he say
that did put it9 Does your worship re-
member2''
II remember very well. young man, -
replied Sir Thomas. IL only wish that
you had as clear memory In the right
pocket of your velveteens. Show me
that. first, if you please"
Dick Harlowe obeyed, and turned out
the right pocket of his velveteens. all the
spectators looking on with painful interest.
and the justice STOPPING low to be certain
that no legerdemain could be practiced on
either side. Directly. rs the pocket came
out-or failed to come out. Sir Thomas
uttered low
''Whew -
Well the good magistrate may have
done SO. for the whole bottom of the
pocket was torn off. So that six-pound
cannon-ball. much more shilling. would
have fallen through to the floor, the mo-
ment it was dropped therein
The story. il it exists at all, is very
nearly told. How the recruiting sergeant
whose shilling had thus been doubly
wasted. sworc below his breath, one may
imagine without attempting to put the in-
furious words into shape: How the other
pockets of Dick Harlowe were turned out
by him, of course with no result. may also
be.imagined As also how the cookbook
ing. silly fellow. released. embraced his
old mother and Rugged her. asking
her pardon thousand times for the an
ger he had manifested the night before. at
her failing to mend that very pocket, the
mending of which would undoubtedly
have condemned him to exile and danger
Gus service in the Peninsula or on the
fields of Flanders. How the good magis-
trate. before dismisSing him. read Dick a
lecture on the folly of frequentino ale