The Florida agriculturist., 1889-07-17

more than likely that the truth about the
robbery may come out; you will be vim
| d1cated, and then you may come home
with flying colors. But If your vindica-
hon came after you had served your time
in Jail it wouldn't do you much good
not to mention the positive harm that
jail life might have done you in the
meanwhile: people would never forget
that you had worn the stripes, though
they might easily forget whether or not
| you had deserved to wear them. But
come back with fortune-come back
after having made a respectable name
for yourself in another part of the world
or after having simply lived in free
dom instead of In bondage and in the
| society of thieves-and, trust me, you
will never regret It'll This is not mat
ter to be treated on sentimental grounds;
it is a serious thing-quite as serious as a
question of life and death to you. You
are innocent, and you have right to
your freedom; that's the case in nut
shell. Don't throw away your whole
career for figure of sDeechl"
This was powerful appeal, and it lost
nothing by Martins delivery. 1t pro-
duced an evident impression on Percy.
''If were certain tE>slt should be con-
victed." he muttered, half to himself
"You may fairly take that for grant
ed," said Martin ''When there has been
a crime, there must be provided Grim
inal; that is the legal maxim, and in de-
fault of better you will have to bear
the brunt.
ut is not myself. only, that is to be
considered, VAL; my mother and sister
are quite as important.
II don't deny it; it's part of my argu-
ment. You said this afternoon that you
did not intend to see them again until
after you were vindicated. Did you mean
what you said?'
Certainly did,"
II think you were right In your de-
cision, for more reasons than one. But
if you remain in New York you will not
be able to keep your resolution. If you
don't go to them they will come to you.
But if you are thousand or two thou
sand miles away you will have no such
embarrassment. And that isn't all, my
boy. If you were put in jail it would be
bad thing for you, but it would simply
kill your mother outright and ruin your
sisters prospects as effectually as your
own. Whereas, if you go off with me,
you and can keep up correspondence
with them and explain exactly how the
case stands. They can watch your career
step by step, and the knowledge that
they are doing SO will give you the strong
est stimulus to succeed that you could
have. Meanwhile they will be watching
the progress of affairs here, and as soon
as anything turns up in your favor they
can let you know and you can act ac-
cordingly. If there were no other reason
for jumping your bail. consideration for
your mother and sister would be enough"
This suggestion practically decided
Percy. 81 believe you are right" said
he: "but don't see what right have to
let you pay all my liabilities. You andI
have been friends, VAL. but have never
done anything for you, and have no
prospect Of repaying you for what you
propose to do for me"
"You will owe me less than you sup
pose. Valentine replied. "In the first
place, my money is no use to me: if
didn't spend it for you, it would go into
the pockets of the tradesmen and bum
mers of New York. In the second place,
| want your company: we suit each
other, and that is not thing that hap