Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-04-17

man Tree, Tor SnOulu tho PS"PAo IL oN"H
arrive and see him sitting bound with
the others it would ruin his character
forever My wife agreed with Aunt
Martha.
"Whatever there may be of truth in
his story" she said, lone of two things
is certain, either he has had most won
derful experiences out of which he may
construct realistic novels, which will
give him fortune and reputation, or he
has a startling imagination which, II
used in the production of works in the
romantic school, will be Of the same adj
vantage to his future. Looking upon 1t
even in this light and without any
reference to his family and the possible
effects on his own moral nature, we
shall assume a great responsibility in
deliberately subjecting such person to
criminal prosecution, and perhaps con-
viction."
This was enough. Swell, said I, 1--WE
will release the young fellow and send
the two other rascals to Jail"
"That was not we'll expressed, " said
my wife, ''but we will not criticise words
at present"
We returned to the library and an
neunced my decision. When he heard
it the stout burglar exhibited no emo
ton. His expression indicated that,
having been caught, he expected to be
sent to Jail, and that was the end OF 1t.
Perhaps he had been through this ex-
perience so often that he had become
used to it. The tall man, however, took
the announcement in very different
way. His face grew dark and his eyes
glittered. ''You are making a great
mistake" he said to me, "a very great
mistake, and you will have to bear the
consequences.
Every good, . said l, 81 will remember
that remark when your trial comes on"
The behavior of the young man was
unexceptional. He looked upon us
with a face full of happy gratitude, and,
as he thanked us for the kind favor and
tho Justice which we had shown him,
his eyes seemed dim with tears. Aunt
Martha was much affected.
81 wonder il his mother is livingr'
she whispered to me. "A wife is great
deal, but "A mother is more. II had
thought of her sooner | would have
spoken more strongly in his favor.
And now you should unite him at once
and let him go home. His wife must be
getting terribly an xious."
The young man overheard this last
remark.
"You will confer very great favor on
me, SIR" he said, ''if you will let me
depart as soon as possible. feel great
repugnance to being seen in company
with these men, as you may imagine,
from wearing mask on coming here.
II / leave Immediately / think | can
catch the first train from your station"
| considered the situation. If did
what | was asked there would be two
bound burglars to guard, three women
and q child to protect, an uncertain
stranger at liberty, and only David and
myself to attend to the whole business.
"No, sir, J" said !, II shall not unto you
until the officers 1 sent for are near at
hand; then will release you, and you
can leave the house by the back way
without being seen by them. There
are other morning trains which will
take you into che city early enough"
II think you are a little hard on
him. remarked Aunt Martha, but the
young man made no complaint.
81 viii trust myself entirely TO you
sir" he said.
The officers arrived much sooner than
I expected. There were five of them
including the chief of police, and they
were accompanied by several volunteer
assistants, among whom was the milk
man who had been my messenger. This
morning his customers might wait foi
their milk. for all business must give
way before such an important piece o.
sightseeing as this.
/ had barely time to unite the young
man and take him to the back of the
house before the officers and their fol
lowers had entered the front door
J There was now great deal of question
, ing, a great deal of explanation, a grea
deal of discussion as to whether my way
, of catching burglars was advisable Of
, not. and good deal of talk about the
best method of taking the men to town
, Some of the officers were in favor of re
leasing the two men and then deciding
in what manner they should be taken Il
, town; and If this plan had been adopted
l believe that these two alert and prac
teal rascals would have taken them
l selves out of my house, without the as
sistance of the officers, or at least would
have caused great deal of trouble enc
perhaps injury in endeayoring to do SO
But the chief OF police was Of m.
mind, and before the men we're entire
ly released from the ropes by which
had tied them they were securely man
acled.
A requisition made on David and my
self to appear as witnesses, the tw
men were taken from the house to tn
wagons in which the officers and thei
followers had come. My wife and Aun
Martha had gone upstairs before th
arrival of the police, and were doubt
less watching the outside proceedin
from window.
Standing in the hallway, | glance
into the dininr-rooul. and was surprise