The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-03-14
6SoturdQy Short Story

| rescue. All rlBnt, ne signal
ed. hes with Mr.. Andrews"
Mr.. Andrews pointed to one of
the oak chairs. You sit there"
he commanded, "it's reserved for
members OF the bar, but it's all
right. You're with me-"
Distinctly annoyed. slightly be-
wildered, the banker sank be-
tween the arms of chair. He
felt he had lost his individuality.
Andrews had become his sponsor.
Because of Andrews he was toll
Grated. Because Andrews had a
pull. he was permitted to sit as
an equal among police-court law,
yers. No longer was he Arnold
Thorndike. He was merely the
man with Mr.. Andrews"
A court attendant beat with his
palm upon the rail.
"Sit down." whispered An
drews. THE Judge is coming"
| Mr.. Thorndike sat down.
The court attendant droned
loudly words Mr.. Thorndike
could not distinguish. There was
a rustic of silk, and from door
behind him the Judge stalked
past.
Stand up!'. he Kissed. Mr..
Thorndike stood up.
| After the court attendant had
uttered more unintelligible words
every one sat down.; and the fin
ancier again moved hurriedly to
the rail.
II would like to speak to him
now before he begins" he whis-
pered. II can't wait"
Mr.. Andrews stared in amaze
ment. The banker had not be-
lieved the young man could look
so serious.
Speak to him, now?" exclaim-
ed the district attorney. you've
got to wait till your man comes
up. IL you speak to the Judge,
now" The voice of Andrews
faded away in horror.
Not knowing in what way he
had offended, but convinced that
1t was only by the grace of An
drews he had escaped a dungeon
Mr.. Thorndike retreated to his
arm chair.
The clock on the wall showed
him that, already, he had given
to young Spear one hour and
quarter. The idea was preposter-
GUS. No one better than himself
knew what his time was really
worth. In half an hour there was
a board meeting; later he was to
hold post norton on rail-
road; at every moment questions
we're being asked by telegraph.
by cable, questions that involved
the credit of individuals, of firms,
of even the country. And the
one man who could answer them
was risking untold sums only
that he might say a good word
for an idle apprentice. Inside
the rallied enclosure a lawyer was
reading typewriter speech. He
assured his honor that he must
have more time to prepare his
case. 1t was one of immense i'm
portance. The name of most
respectable business house was
involved, and a sum of no less
than nine hundred dollars. Nine
hundred dollars! The contrast
struck Mr.. Thorndike's sense Of
humor full In the center. I'm
knowingly, he laughed, and found
himself as conspicuous as though
he had appeared suddenly in his
night clothes. The tipstaffs beat
upon the rail, the lawyer he had
interrupted uttered an indignant
exclamation, Andrews came hur-
riedly toward him, and the young
judge slowly turned his head.
Those persons, he said, who
cannot respect the dignity of this
court will leave it." AS he spoke,
with his eyes fixed on those OF
Mr.. Thorndike. the latter saw
that the young Judge had sudden
ly recognized him. But the fact
! of his identity did not cause the
;. frown to relax or the rebuke to
halt unuttered. In even, icy
tones, the judge continued; "And
1t Is we'll they should remember
that the law is no respecter of
persons and that the dignity OF
this court will be enforced, no
matter who the offender may hap
pen to be-"
Andrews slipped into the chair
beside Mr.. Thorndike and grin
ned alphabetically.
Sorry" he whispered. Should
have warned you. We won't be
long now" he added encouraging
| ly. las soon as this fellow fin
ishes his argument, the judge'll
take up the sentences. Your man
seems to have other friends;
Isaac and Son are here, and the
i typewriter firm who taught him;
but what you say will help most.
j It won't be more than A cOuple of