Part 38 (1/2)
”You've got me into trouble, Mr. Gilbert,” said Micky, ”and I want you to get me out of it.”
”What does he mean?” asked Gilbert, coolly, addressing the policeman.
”You hired me to steal a man's pocket-book, and I'm took up for it,”
said Micky. ”I want you to help me, or I'll be sent to the Island.”
”The boy must be crazy,” said Gilbert, shrugging his shoulders.
”You give me a dollar to do it,” said Micky, very much incensed at the desertion of his confederate.
”Do you know the boy?” asked the policeman respectfully, for he put no faith in Micky's statement.
”He blacked my boots once,” said Gilbert. ”That's all I know about him.
What is he arrested for?”
”For picking pockets. There was another boy arrested on suspicion, but it appeared on trial that he was innocent, and that this boy really took the wallet.”
”He looks like a young scamp,” said Gilbert, coolly. ”I'm much obliged to him for introducing my name into the matter. I hope he'll get his desserts.”
This was too much for Micky's patience. He a.s.sailed Gilbert with such a shower of oaths that the policeman tightened his grip, and shook him vigorously. Gilbert shrugged his shoulders, and walked off with apparent unconcern.
”Wait till I get free,” said Micky, furiously. ”I'll fix him.”
In regard to Micky, I have only to say further at this time, that he was at once conveyed to the Tombs, summarily tried and convicted, and spent the same night on Blackwell's Island, where we leave him for three months.
CHAPTER XX.
BEFORE THE PARTY.
”You'll be able to attend Ida Greyson's party after all, d.i.c.k,” said Fosd.i.c.k, on Tuesday evening.
”Yes,” said d.i.c.k, ”I was afraid that I should be wanted to grace the fas.h.i.+onable circles at Blackwell's Island; but as my particular friend Micky Maguire has kindly offered to go in my place, I shall be able to keep my other engagement.”
”Micky's a bad fellow.”
”I'm afraid he is,” said d.i.c.k; ”but he's never had a fair chance. His father was a drunkard, and used to beat him and his mother, till Micky ran away from home, and set up for himself. He's never had any good example set him.”
”You speak kindly of Micky, considering he has always been your enemy.”
”I haven't any ill will against Micky,” said d.i.c.k, generously. ”If I ever can do him a good turn I will. I've been luckier than he and most of my old companions, I'm going to do all I can to help them along.
There's good in them if you can only bring it out.”
d.i.c.k spoke earnestly, in a very different tone from his usual one. He had a certain philosophy of his own, and had always taken the world easily, however it treated him; but he had a warm and sympathizing heart for the sufferings of others, and he felt that he was in a position to befriend his old a.s.sociates, and encourage them to higher aims and a better mode of life.
”You're a good fellow, d.i.c.k,” said Fosd.i.c.k. ”It isn't everybody that is so charitable to the faults of others.”
”I know one,” said d.i.c.k, smiling.