The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-27
CONVICT BY CHOICE

he said Pm a son Of Reuben Marley"
The governor started slightly
L had no idea that Marley had a son"
he said. He told me only this morning
that he had no relatives"
Very likely. sir. You see. sir, 1 went
70 Canada when I was still a lad Now
I've made lot Of money, I've come
back 70 England to find the old man. Il
was the home Office told me where TO
look for him." he added. with a touch
Of sadness. so came straight down.
I understand he's due to come out to
day"
He has come out already said the
governor. He left for Plymouth By the
1870 train"
An expression Of alarm crossed John
Marleys face
Then 1 must be after him at once. str.
Could you tell me when the next train
leaves?"
i am sorry to say there is not one
before 81 replied the colonel
Aarley's look OF dismay made Col Pey-
/ ton feel genuinely sorry for him.
/ am almost as anxious as yourself
that no harm shall come 10 your father
ne said. II you care TO take my car,
you can be IN Plymouth in an hour"
lie cut short Marley's thanks by ring
ing the bell and ordering the car and
within less than five minutes the old
convicts son was being whirIed rapidly
In the direction Of the sea.
His chauffeur dropped his passenger By.
the tram terminus. opposite the Royal
Theater and Iohn Marley stood staring
round him helplessly. Plymouth is a big
place. and he had not the faintest idea
In which direction 10 look for his father.
II was striking 3 as he passed Derry's
clock. I'm too late" he said 10 himself.
sadly. The old mans been here a mat
ter Of TWO hours by now. It's long odds
he's locked up by this time"
At that moment he caught sight OF a
small crowd opposite a jewelers. shop on
the west side Of the street.
Go it, old UNI he heard a rough voice
shout
stop him! He's dangerous cried
some one else.
Stop me, There amt no one can stop
me!' came in high. cracked tones. which
had familiar ring In John Marley's ears.
Great Scott, bur it's father he gasped
and set 70 running as hard as he could.
As John Marley drew near there was a
sudden surge among the knot Of people.
They drew back, and in an open space in
the middle ne saw his little, wizened,
white-haired father with no hat on. rranc-
ing in front OF the window and waving
above his head a heavy-knobbed stick.
Father. cried the younger Marley.
making a dash through the crowd and
showing the people right and left
He was too late. Before he could reach
his father the old man had struck al the
window with all his force The heavy
/ plate-glass broke with noise Ike gun
shot. and the pieces fell in a rafting
shower 70 the stone pavement Instantly
( old Reuben thrust a skinny arm through
the hole. snatched a handful Of glittering
trinkets and flung them broadcast among
the people.
He was grabbing for another handful
Of the unlucky jewelers. stock. when his
son seized him by one arm and a police
man by the other. At the same moment
the jeweler. red-faced and furious, came
rushing out
Take him in charge cried the latter.
] He deliberately smashed my window. and
I I done know how much ne hasn't stolen"
! Wait minute" exclaimed John Mar
! ley. breathIessly. Hes my father"
The police looked from one to the
| other and gave a short. sharp laugh.
More likely his pal he said with a
sneer. You sheer OF. or you'll find
/ yourself in custody as well"
| John Marley's heart sank. Once his
father was taken 10 the police station
nothing could save him from another
/ Ions term Of Imprisonment He turned
to the jeweler:
! II give you my word. it's true" he said
earnestly. I'm his son. but I haven't
set eyes on him for twenty years TIL this
/ minute. For the love Of heaven don't
/ prosecute him, sir, III pay for the dam
| age-every penny Of it, And he pulled a
handful OF notes out Of his pocket
Whether it was John Harleys manner
or the banknotes in his hand. the jeweler
hesitated.
Suddenly old Marley. who had been
standing perfectly still. with his eyes
fixed upon his son. spoke.
Why, It's joint" he said wonderingly.
My boy. john
Yes. it's John. right enough. Here I
an all the way from Canada to look
for YOU. And see how find your
Il never knowed YOU were alive" said
+ the old man piteously 7 wouldn't ave
done this II 'ad I'll go quiet. Officer
Bout time. too" growled the police
man, quite untouched. But the jewelers.
heart was not quite so hard
Nor he cried suddenly. let him go,
officer. I shan't prosecute. II his son.
here. pays. I'll say no more about It."
He cut short Marley's fervent thanks
by bundIing him and his father both into
the shop. and as the policeman marched
away in a rage the tickle crowd raised a
cheer
To-day Reuben Marley still spends his
time tending sheep. but they Craze on a
prair.e ir Western Canada. not on the
stone-wal.ed fields Of the grim prison On
the moor.