Part 13 (1/2)

”No, Andrew!” came firmly from the lips of Mrs. Howland, who had followed her husband, unperceived, to the door, and who had heard the dreadful charge preferred against her son. ”Don't say that! Go and save him from the disgrace and wrong that now hang over his head--and go quickly!”

”Yes, Mr. Howland,” said the officer, ”your lady is right. You should not let him go to prison. That will do him no good. And, moreover, he may be innocent of the crime laid to his charge.”

”He must be innocent. My boy has many faults, but he would not be guilty of a crime like this,” said Mrs. Howland. ”Oh, Mr. Howland!

go! go quickly and save him from these dreadful consequences. If you do not, I must fly to him. They shall not imprison my poor boy!”

”This is folly, Esther!” returned Mr. Howland, severely. ”He has got himself, by his bad conduct, into the hands of the law, and it will do him good to feel its iron grip. I am clear for letting him at least go to prison, and remain there for a few days. By that time he will be sick enough of his folly.”

”I would not advise this,” suggested the officer. ”Depend upon it, if his present position is of no avail toward working change for the better--sending him to prison will harden, rather than reform him.”

”Andrew!” said Mrs. Howland, with a firmness and decision of tone that marked a high degree of resolution on her part--”if you do not go his bail, I will find some person who will.”

”Esther!” The offended husband fixed a look of stern rebuke upon his wife; but her large eyes looked steadily into his, and he saw in them, not rebellion, or anger--but a spirit that his own heart told him instinctively, it would be folly for him to oppose. That look determined his action.

”I'll go with you,” said he, after pausing a few moments, turning to the officer as he spoke.

The charge brought against Andrew by the watchman, was an intention to set fire to the buildings in which he found him. Several unfinished houses had been burned of late, and there was some excitement in the public mind thereat. Had it not been for this, Andrew might have made his way into the building where he intended to sleep, without, in all probability, attracting attention.

Unfortunately for him, a few matches were found in one of his pockets. This fact, added to his attempt to escape, and the rather exaggerated statement of the watchman, caused the Mayor to look upon the case as one that ought to go before the Court. He accordingly decided to require an appearance, under bail.

Not a word was spoken to Andrew by his stern father, on the arrival of the latter at the Mayor's office. Mr. Howland looked at the evidence which went to support the charge of intended incendiarism against his son, and to his mind, prejudiced as it was against that son, the evidence was conclusive. In fact, the watchman's eyes had seen rather more, than in reality, was to be seen, and his testimony was strongly colored.

The required security given, Mr. Howland, without turning toward his son, or speaking to him, left the office.

”You can go home, young man,” said the Mayor, addressing Andrew.

”Oh, sir!” exclaimed the unhappy boy, in a distressed tone--”I am not guilty of this thing. Father turned me from the door because I was not at home at ten o'clock, and I had no place to sleep.”

”Disobedience to parents ever brings trouble,” replied the Mayor, in a voice of admonition. ”Go home, and try to behave better in future.

If innocent, you will no doubt be able to make it so appear when your trial comes on before the Court.”

Slowly the lad arose, and with a troubled and downcast look, retired from the office.

”Where is Andrew?” eagerly asked the mother, as Mr. Howland entered the house, after returning from the errand upon which he had gone.

”I left him at the Mayor's office,” was coldly replied.

”Did you go his bail?”

”Yes.”

”Why didn't he come home with you?”

”I didn't ask him.”

”Andrew!”

Mr. Howland started at the tone of voice with which his name was p.r.o.nounced. Again there was an expression in the eyes of his wife that subdued him.

”I gave bail for his appearance at Court, and then came away. He will, no doubt, be home in a few minutes,” he replied. ”But I do not wish to hold any intercourse with him; for he has disgraced both himself and me.”

”Is he not your son?” asked the mother, solemnly.