American library books ยป Fiction ยป Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jr. Horatio Alger



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Is there no one among you who has a son of my age?โ€

โ€œThe boy is right,โ€ said another in a deep voice. โ€œMen, we are acting like cowards and brutes.โ€

โ€œSo say I!โ€ a third man broke in, and he ranged himself beside the other two.

โ€œThis is all folly!โ€ exclaimed the leader angrily. โ€œYou men are milksops and chicken-hearted.โ€ Walter's face flamed.

โ€œWill you allow this?โ€ he exclaimed, as the leader seized him by the collar and drew him to a tree.

โ€œI won't!โ€ said the first man to pronounce in his favor. โ€œSeth Pendleton, let go your hold!โ€

โ€œLook out!โ€ cried Pendleton fiercely, โ€œor you may swing, too!โ€

โ€œYou hear what he says,โ€ said Walter's friend. โ€œWhy are you so hard on the boy?โ€

โ€œWhy am I so hard on horse thieves? I'll tell you. Ten years ago I had a horse that was as dear to me as a brother. One morning I found the stable door open and the horse gone. I followed him, but I never recovered him.โ€

โ€œWho stole him?โ€

โ€œA man named Dick Ranney, who has since become a noted highwayman.โ€

This was astonishing news to Walter.

โ€œDo you know where Dick Ranney is now?โ€ he asked.

โ€œI heard that he had been captured.โ€

โ€œI am the one who captured him, and for this I received a reward of a thousand dollars!โ€ answered Walter.





CHAPTER XXXV THE EMPTY JAIL

Walter drew from his pocket a folded paper.

โ€œRead that!โ€ he said.

โ€œMR. WALTER SHERWOOD:

โ€œI have pleasure in sending you the reward for the capture of the noted criminal, Dick Ranney.

โ€œMILES GRAY, Sheriff.โ€

โ€œShall I tell you the story?โ€ asked Walter.

โ€œYes! Yes!โ€ exclaimed more than one.

Walter gave an account of the affair in a clear, distinct manner.

โ€œNow, gentlemen,โ€ said Walter, as he concluded, โ€œdo you believe that I would stoop to steal a horse?โ€

There were shouts of โ€œNo! No!โ€

And Walter might have gone scot free had he chosen, but he did not choose.

โ€œNo, gentlemen,โ€ he said, โ€œtake me back to the lockup.

โ€œThe door is broken!โ€

โ€œThat will make no difference with me. I prefer to stand trial and let my innocence be proved.โ€

โ€œHe's a brave lad!โ€ said more than one.

โ€œI wish my John would turn out like him,โ€ added one of Walter's original supporters. โ€œYou shall go with me, and have the best bed in the house,โ€ he continued.

Walter accepted this proposal with thanks.

Of all that had passed during the night Constable Stokes was blissfully unconscious. At an early hour he bent his steps toward the jail. When he saw the door broken he was astounded.

He felt it necessary to report what had happened to some magistrate. He had walked but a few steps when he met Mr. Barry, Walter's lawyer.

โ€œAnd how is my young client this morning, Stokes?โ€ inquired the lawyer pleasantly.

โ€œBlessed if I know! He's bolted!โ€

โ€œThat is amazing! Let me see how it was done.โ€

โ€œThe door was broken from the outside!โ€ he said, after a pause.

โ€œWas it?โ€

โ€œOf course it was.โ€

โ€œThen you don't think the men could have done it?โ€





CHAPTER XXXVI COLONEL RICHARD OWEN

At this moment a boy of fifteen made his way from the street to the rear entrance. It was Arthur Waters, the son of a jeweler.

โ€œPerhaps I can tell you something about it,โ€ he said.

โ€œLast night I heard a noise in the street, and, getting up, I went to the window. I saw a lot of men filing through the street, all wearing masks.โ€

โ€œThey must have been in search of the prisoners to lynch them!โ€ said the lawyer, turning pale.

โ€œAnd you think they broke open the doors, Mr. Barry?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

โ€œAnd what would they do with the prisoners?โ€

โ€œHang them, I fear, without judge or jury.โ€

โ€œI don't mind the man, sir, but I hope the boy escaped.โ€

โ€œThank you, constable. I am alive and well, as you see.โ€

Both the lawyer and the constable looked up, and there, to their great relief, stood Walter.

โ€œWhere did you come from?โ€ asked the lawyer quickly.

Walter told his story, adding: โ€œConstable Stokes, I give myself into your hands.โ€

โ€œPerhaps, as I am his counsel,โ€ said the lawyer, โ€œI had better take him with me.โ€

โ€œYes, that will be the best way,โ€ said the constable.

Walter was ushered into the office of the lawyer.

At this moment the office door opened, and an old gentleman entered.

The lawyer rose from his seat with alacrity.

โ€œColonel Owen,โ€ he exclaimed, โ€œI am glad to see you.โ€

โ€œYes, sir. I received your telegram, and came by the first morning train. So the man who stole my horse has been caught?โ€

โ€œThe man who is charged with the theft has been caught,โ€ said Mr. Barry.

โ€œMr. Barry, you have not introduced me to this young gentleman,โ€ continued Colonel Owen, eyeing Walter with favor.

โ€œI didn't know that you would care for an introduction,โ€ said the lawyer demurely.

โ€œWhy not?โ€ asked the old gentleman, opening his eyes in surprise.

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