Middletown transcript., 1909-09-11

wants 10 nave q school friend or
two visit him there.
He'll set FIRE to the place won't
he?
He seems careful.
Very well. Tell him he can
use it.
I'll thank you for him, Henry.
So that was settled and then
Henry Appleton forgot all about
it.
Bnt one morning Judge Strong
came into his Office.
How are you, Appleton I
dropped in on q little personal
business.
You arealways welcome, judge.
Take q chair.
The Judge hesitated.
It's about Jim, he said.
Nothing wrongS
don't know.
But ] thought Jim was doing
better,
He has done better. / hoped
the reform would be permanent.
And what is the trouble?
I wish knew. He seems 10 be
completely under the influence of
that hired boy Of yours.
Henry Appleton looked around
quickly.
And you think the influence is
a bad one?
I'm afraid it is. can't quite
imagine that Jim would be fas.
cinated by a good influence
more's the pity.
This is all news to me, Judge,
said Henry Appleton. And I'm a
little slow to believe that Step
hen Bruce is a bad companion
for your Jim.
The Judge nodded.
I see your point, he said, but
that doesn't relieve my mind.
Those boys, Jim and your hired
lad, meet somewhere nearly
every night. Eve no idea what
they do. Perhaps they gamble.
Have you talked to Jim?
Yes, in a guarded way. He has
an unreasonable temper. I have
to be very careful. What does
your hoy do evenings?
I don't know, Appleton an
swered. / don't see anythfng of
him.
And then he remembered some
thing and suddenly frowned.
By George. be said, / guess /
know their rendezvous.
Where is it ? the Judge eagerly
asked.
III let you know later. mi
take you there this evening. Wei
will root out this mystery to-
gether.
Yes. yes. said the judge. Where shall
we meet3
On my porch. Be there at $50.
All right. said the judge.
i was dark evening aud the two 10.
vestiRators bad little fear of detection.
Henry Appleton was waiting for the
judge.
The place Of rendezgous is my stable,
be said, and think vour boy Jim ID |
there now. Come.
They stole around the houee and up
t1o 0ttNONays z
There was light in the upper window
Of the stable.
Appleton pointed To it.
There is ladder back Of the stable, he
whispered. Help me with il.
Then thetw men carefully raised the
ladder to the window.
T'ilgo up first, said Appleton.
He climbed the ladder slowly and noise.
leesIy and pesred through the window.
He remained there for perhaps Eve
minutes. Then be reioined the Judge It
lie foot Of the ladder. Il
II is just what 1 suspected, be eravely
whispered. Climb up carefully and viii
hold the ladder.
The judge assembled to the window.
This is what he cav. Stephen Bsucsd
was standing before Jim Strong with d
paper in his hand. Jim was seated at
able. BY getting close 70 the glass che
Judge could catch their voices.
Blame you, Jim, Stephen was saying,
gou don't catch tbe trick ofis. The prob
EN- b simple enough II you apply the
Inle. II you expect me TO pull you
Ihlcugh in algebra yon'vs got % give me
J lot Of help.
The son 81 the Judge looked up with
'hespish grin.
Don't be 80 awful rough. Steve. he said.
IN Get through somehow. Wasn't / 3 +
ssedit % yoa 10 history
Yon did beautifully, Stephen replied.
But had my doubts Up 70 the last week.
Jim chuckle
You shoald AaFs asan - jpaReIs facs
shsh told him lteo1 aine5 lhrss Ia /