The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-09-03
Convict By Choice
By 7. c. BRIDGES

the Royal theater. and John Marley
stood staring around him helplessly.
Plymouth 10 big place. and he had
not the faintest idea in which direc-
ton to look for his father.
It was striking three AZ he passed
Derry's clock. I'm too late" he said
to himself sadly. 1.-THE old mans
been here . matter of two hours by
now. It's long odds he's locked up by
this time"
At that moment he caught sight Of
q small crowd opposite q jewelers.
shop on the west side Of the stree.
"Go It, old 'un!" he heard . rough
voice shout.
stop hint He's dangerous!" cried
someone else.
stop me! There amt no one can
stop me-" came in high cracked tones
which had q familiar ring in John
Marley's ears.
Great Scott. but It's father" he
gasped. and set to running as hard as
he cauld.
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 he saw his
little wizzened. white-haired father.
with no hat on, prancing in front of
the window and waving above his
head a heavy-knobbed stick.
Father" cried the younger MARTY,
making q dash through the crowl and
showing the people right and left.
He was too late. Before he could
reach his father, the old man had
struck at the window with all his
force. The heavy plate glass broke
with q noise like a gun shot, and the
pieces fell in q rafting shower to the
stone pavement. Instantly old Reu-
ben thrust a skinny arm through the
hole, snatched q handful OF glittering
trinkets and flung them broadcast
among the people.
He was grabbing for another hand
full of the unlucky jewelers. stock.
when his son seized him by one arm
and a policeman by the other. At
the same moment the jeweler, red
faced and furious, came rushing out.
take him in charge officer" cried
the latter. HE deliberately smashed
my window, and don't know how
much he hasn't stolen" -.
"Wait a moment" exclaimed John
Marley breathlessly. Hes my faith
err"
The policeman looked from one to
the other. and gave q short, sharp
laugh.
more likely his pal" he said with
a sneer. you sheer off, or you'll
find yourself in custody as WE'LL"
John Marley's heart sang. Once
his father was taken to the police
station nothing could save him from
another long term of imprisonment.
He turned to the jeweler.
II give you my word it's true" he
said earnestly. "I'm his son. but l
havn't set eyes on him for twenty
years till this minute. For the love
Of Heaven don't prosecute him, sir.
I'll pay for the damage. every penny
OF it. And he pulled handful of
notes out Of his pocket.
Whether it was John Marley's man
ner or the bank notes In his hand,
the jeweler hesitated.
Suddenly old Marley who had been
standing perfectly still, with his yes
fixed upon his son, spoke.
"Why, it's John. he said wondering.
ly. my boy John"
Eyes, it's John right enough. Here
am I all the way from Canada to look
for you. And see how I find you"
II never knowed you was alive
said the old man piteously. II would
not have done this II I had. I'll 60
quiet officer"
Bout time. too" growled the po.
Nceman. quite untouched.
But the jewelers. heart was not
80 hard.
I, NO." he cried suddenly. LET him
60. officer. I shall not prosecute II
his son here pays, I'll say no more
about It."
thanks by bundling him and his faith
er both into the shop, and as the pc
iceman marched away in q rage the
tickle crowd raised cheer.
Today Reuben Marley still spend
his time tending sheep. but they Craze
on the prairie of Western Canada
not on the stonewalled fields Of the
grim prison on the moor.