Part 35 (1/2)
Then it was Mr. Fernald explained the nature of a subpoena, and Seth was decidedly surprised at learning that he could, and probably would, be arrested if he refused to obey.
”There is no need of your coming here at all to-morrow,” the old man said, ”no matter how early you may get out of court. You're needing a holiday, lad, and I'm glad of an excuse for giving you one.”
Not until he returned from school that evening did Seth see his roommates, and then he found them in a high state of excitement because of the approaching trial.
”Mr. Davis says he shall be there, an' the lawyer is to 'tend right out so's to say a good word for poor Jip when the time comes,” Seth hastened to state, and from that moment until it seemed absolutely necessary they should retire, the boys discussed the probable fate of the firebug.
Next morning when Seth went to the engine-house to perform his customary task of blacking the men's boots, Dan set out with him, saying as they left Mrs. Hanson's:
”If it wasn't for that Third Avenoo store I wouldn't go down-town to-day, till it was time for the trial to begin; but I can't lose a whole mornin's work.”
”That's the way to stick at it!” Seth cried approvingly. ”How much money have you got laid up?”
”Three dollars an' five cents. Oh, I'm gettin' there, old man, though 'cordin' to the way things are workin' it'll take quite a spell.”
”You'll strike a rush some day, an' then it'll pile up in great shape.
Stick at it, Dan.”
”That's what I'm reckonin' on doin', an' say, Seth, if it don't cost too much, I'm goin' to 'tend out on school, same's you do. Bill has 'greed to come into the snap, an' we'll make it lively all 'round.”
”It won't cost you a cent; Mr. Davis says so.”
”Then we'll begin to-night, but I don't want the fellers to know about it, 'cause they'd set up sich a terrible howl.”
Dan did not waste any more time in conversation, but hurried away to take advantage of the early demand for papers, and 'Lish Davis said sagely when Seth had repeated the conversation to him:
”Now you can see the result of a good example, Amateur. If you had kicked against going to school, your roommates never'd thought of trying the same game, and so by helping yourself you've gone a long way towards helping others. Contrariwise, if you'd been cutting 'round town, raising rows and getting into all kinds of trouble, you'd find them as would follow in your track, so it's a pretty sure thing that a boy is bound to walk straight because of the effect it'll have on others, even if for no other reason.”
Seth made no reply to this brief lecture; he was learning very much of life through his intercourse with Ninety-four's men, and it seemed to him as if each day some new idea regarding a boy's work was to be gained.
”Your firebug has his chance this forenoon, eh?” 'Lish asked after a short pause.
”Yes, sir, an' I'm hopin' mighty hard that he'll get off this time.”
”I reckon a good deal depends on you and your partner.”
”How do you mean?”
”If the firebug pleads guilty as his lawyer has advised him to, the judge will only call on you two witnesses to tell how it happened, so's he can get an idea of about how hard Jip ought'er be punished.”
”Then if we talk smooth he stands a better chance, eh?”
”That's 'bout the size of it, Amateur.”
During the remainder of the time he spent in Ninety-four's quarters Seth was unusually thoughtful, and immediately his work was finished he asked the driver if there was any objection to his going down-town.
”Now see here, Amateur, there's no call for you to come 'round me with a question like that. I'm only too glad you've got a chance to get a holiday, and I advise you to spend all the time, till the hour for school, among your old chums. I don't reckon you've got any big pile of money left by this time, eh?”
”Well, I don't need a cent, 'cept for my rent, an' that ain't costin'