Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐ยป. Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
โThe boy is right,โ said another in a deep voice. โMen, we are acting like cowards and brutes.โ
โSo say I!โ a third man broke in, and he ranged himself beside the other two.
โThis is all folly!โ exclaimed the leader angrily. โYou men are milksops and chicken-hearted.โ Walter's face flamed.
โWill you allow this?โ he exclaimed, as the leader seized him by the collar and drew him to a tree.
โI won't!โ said the first man to pronounce in his favor. โSeth Pendleton, let go your hold!โ
โLook out!โ cried Pendleton fiercely, โor you may swing, too!โ
โYou hear what he says,โ said Walter's friend. โWhy are you so hard on the boy?โ
โWhy 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
โWho stole him?โ
โA man named Dick Ranney, who has since become a noted highwayman.โ
This was astonishing news to Walter.
โDo you know where Dick Ranney is now?โ he asked.
โI heard that he had been captured.โ
โI 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.
โRead that!โ he said.
โMR. WALTER SHERWOOD:โI have pleasure in sending you the reward for the capture of the noted criminal, Dick Ranney.
โMILES GRAY, Sheriff.โ
โShall I tell you the story?โ asked Walter.
โYes! Yes!โ exclaimed more than one.
Walter gave an account of the affair in a clear, distinct manner.
โNow, gentlemen,โ said Walter, as he concluded, โdo you believe that I would stoop to steal a horse?โ
There were shouts of โNo! No!โ
And Walter might have gone scot free had he chosen, but he did not choose.
โNo, gentlemen,โ he said, โtake me back to the lockup.
โThe door is broken!โ
โThat will make no difference with me. I prefer to stand trial and let my innocence be proved.โ
โHe's a brave lad!โ said more than one.
โI wish my John would turn out like him,โ added one of Walter's original supporters. โYou 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.
โAnd how is my young client this morning, Stokes?โ inquired the lawyer pleasantly.
โBlessed if I know! He's bolted!โ
โThat is amazing! Let me see how it was done.โ
โThe door was broken from the outside!โ he said, after a pause.
โWas it?โ
โOf course it was.โ
โThen 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.
โPerhaps I can tell you something about it,โ he said.
โLast 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
โThey must have been in search of the prisoners to lynch them!โ said the lawyer, turning pale.
โAnd you think they broke open the doors, Mr. Barry?โ
โYes.โ
โAnd what would they do with the prisoners?โ
โHang them, I fear, without judge or jury.โ
โI don't mind the man, sir, but I hope the boy escaped.โ
โThank 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.
โWhere did you come from?โ asked the lawyer quickly.
Walter told his story, adding: โConstable Stokes, I give myself into your hands.โ
โPerhaps, as I am his counsel,โ said the lawyer, โI had better take him with me.โ
โYes, 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.
โColonel Owen,โ he exclaimed, โI am glad to see you.โ
โYes, sir. I received your telegram, and came by the first morning train. So the man who stole my horse has been caught?โ
โThe man who is charged with the theft has been caught,โ said Mr. Barry.
โMr. Barry, you have not introduced me to this young gentleman,โ continued Colonel Owen, eyeing Walter with favor.
โI didn't know that you would care for an introduction,โ said the lawyer demurely.
โWhy not?โ asked the old gentleman, opening his eyes in surprise.
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