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I‘.
were now looking at him askunce.
Those who had looked upon him as a
hero. and who had declared his popularity.
were now ready to turn away from him
as if he was a leper. And e was inno-
cent of any wrongdoing. '
They seemed to forget that he had just
been their idol and had won the great game
for them. His fame and popularity had de-
parted in one swift moment.
Joe groaned as he thought of what this
meant
Even if he proved his innocence there
had great disgrace fallen upon him. for
there were plenty of hard-hearted people in
the world who would refuse to believe that
he was not guilty. He recalled what a mat-
ter of jubilation this would be to old Nath-
an Small.
Joe fell: bitter toward I-lankins at that
moment.
The jealous old clerk could never know
what an injustice and a wrong he had done.
But for that matter he would not care, for
his soul was case-hardened, and proof
against mercy.
Just then, as he was led from the ball
grounds by the constable he saw Mr. Wei-
ton in the crowd. Joe glanced. at him and
for a moment he thought of appealing to
his friend.
But the millionaire looked pale and
shocked and turned his head. Pride for-
bade Joe's saying anything then.
Joe was taken to e jail. He was com-
mitted witbout bail. Even if this had been
granted to him he could not have secured
gills liberty, for there was no one to bail
un. ,
It was evident that Mr. Walton had be-
There was the word of the expert account-
ant.‘and the books showed that it was true.
The millionaire was forced to the con.
clusion that the temptation placed in the
way of the new manager of the company
had been too great, and he had only done
what thousands of others had done before
Joe languished in jail for twt? days before
anyone came to see T en a rough
spokesman came to his cell door and said:
“Boy. I'll be hanged if I believe you
guilty. They have got to show me.
from Missouri." ,
“Jack Splan!" exclaimed Joe. and for
tions, “you are righ . I am not guilty.”
“I knew it," said the rough sawyer. “I
is a confounded shame. I told Walton this
morning that it was a put-up lab of that
mean old Turk Iiankins. He hates you."
Joe held a long consultation with his
friend vvith’the rough exterior but the
warm heart, and the result was that Jack
declared that he would force old Hankins to
confess. V ‘
“If he don’t he will get what he never
He is an old villain, and ought
. I will tell you that, my boy."
“Jack, I can't tell you how glad I am to
see you. I think you are my only friend.
You are the only.one who thinks me inno-
cent."
“You are dead wrong. boy. There is an-
other!”
Joe looked at the old sawyer, who re-
turned his glance with a queer light in his
Joe was curious and be asked:a
“Whom do you mean. Jack?”
eetle gal, boy. The old -man‘s
,,.
oe a weakness in his knees. He
sank back with a. delirious sensation.
Nothing mattered now. They could hang
him if they chose. That Lucy had de-
clared her faith in him was enough.
“Jack,” he said, “I am not guilty! Inev-
or stole anything in my life. I am sur-
prised that Mr. Walton believes it"
“Boy, the old man did not want to be-
lieve it. but the accountant had it all in
black and white. He felt terrible about
it.
Jack SpIan‘s visit cheered Joe up wonder-
After all, his case did not seem so hope-
less. Perhaps at the trial something might
come up in his favor. He still clung to
ope.
That was a long and wearisome night to
him in his prison cell. He was glad when
day came. and he had just partaken of his
frugal breakfast when there was a oud
outcry outside the jail, and the doors open-
ed, and he heard the tramp of feet.
The next moment a cheering crowd burst
into the jail corridor, and he saw many
of his baseball friends. and a voice went
I1 I
p“We've come after you. Joe. You are not
.guiltyi It has been all proved, and the
guilty man has confessed. Let him out,
ailer." ' . '
J ave a,gasp, and sank down on his
‘ cot, faint and overcome.
CIIAPTEI‘. xxlv.
coxccosiox.
One of the first to greet Joe and assure
him of his good fortune was Tom Ford. 110
simply threw his arms about the boy pitch-
er and cried: '
“It has all come out, Joel You are not
guilty. and the villain has confessed. lie is
under arrest now. and we have come to
lake you away from here. Iiurrah for Joe
I’ 5.
it look but a. few moments for the cap-
aln of the ball nine to explain matters in
full to Joe.
It seemed that Jack Splan. .Ioe’s rough
and ready friend, was not content to let his
young friend languish in fall when he knew
that he was not guilty of the charge against
m
..
na
ii .
Jack had met Clerk Strong, and the two
had determined to get the evidence neces-
sary to clear the good name of Joe Harris.
Strong had of course the best chance. for be
had been cognizant of Ilankins’ purpose
from the first.
But when Strong had failed to -get the
truth by means of looking over the books,
Jack in his rough way made a search for
an ns.
“You old skindinf!" he had snapped in
a savage way, “you have lied about that
boy, and I want you to make a. clean breast
of it. and give him 3 chance. or I will skin
ou " ‘
Y - --
Iiankins had been scornful and defiant,
and that made the sawyer mad. lie grab-
bed the villain by the throat and choked
him almost into a. state of insensibility.
Finally Splan had forced the wretch to
confess absolutely. In fact. he had on his
person evidence of his guilt. for some of
the money embezzled was in his pockets.
The sawyer was elated, of course, and
be dragged him to the constable and turned
im over with the booty and the confes-
sion. Hankins was in a state of collapse,
for he knew that his game was up..
The report spread through the town like
wildfire that Joe Harris was innocent, and
that he had been the victim of a plot.
The revulsion in public opinion was tre-
mendous.
The whole town arose as one man. They
simply ran to the Jail and demanded the
release of Joe. The jailer of course could
not release him without an order from the
proper authorities. but in a short time it
arrived. and Joe was taken from his cell,
and emerged into the open air-free.
I-Ianklns was lodged in jail. There was
excitement in town that had never been
equaled. People came to Joe's lodgings in
crowds to see him and' offer him con'gratu<
lations.
Everyone was apparently his friend.
But all in one moment those who had af-
fected such friendship turned on him with
loathing and scorn. lie was dragged of! to
prison. and not one went with him to offer
him aid or sympathy. He was hurt to the
heart, and he could not help the swelling
feeling that filled his breast.
That night Joe thought the matter all
uL
“I am a good fellow while I am serving
an end in winning a game of ball for them.
But when I get in trouble I am cast off like
a dog or an unclean beast. It is hard to
face these false friends again and remain
among them." ,
When Joe got up in the morning his mind
was made up.
e went downrto liirs. Hayes and paid
his board in full. ere were no other
obligations that he had not met, and he
went back to his chamber and packed up
his small euects. . '
When it became Apparent that be was
going out into the world again. and was
going to leave behind those scenes where
he had for a time at least been happy. his
heart Elled, and his courage almost for-
sook him.
But he had made up his mind, and Joe
was not the one to back down in a resolve.
He took a. side street, to avoid any of the
townspeople, and be was soon in the out-
skirts of the village.
Suddenly he heard footsteps behind him.
e .
Where in thunder are you
going, boy?‘
Joe gave a start and a git-SD. for it was
Jack Splan. '
He turned and faced his good friend. Joe
made up his mind to fell the truth-that he
was going to leave Townsend forever.
"Jack." he said. "l-I am going away."
“ '-what!” snorted the rough sawyer.
“Who told you that? See here. boy. cheer
up! It is not so bad as you think. What is
your idea of going away now? Aren't you
the whole thing in this town‘! Haven‘t
you downed your enemies?”
Joe could not for a moment answer.
Then he broke down and fold Spian the
whole story of his aching heart. The saw-
yer listened, and then be put an arm around
the orphan lad's shoulders. and said:
“You have got the wrong view, boy‘. Of
course, the world at large is disposed to be
cold and suspicious. and they were men
to treat you in that way. But it is the way
of the world. What we get in this world
that is worth while is by f1shHna- and I
know you are a. fighter. Just perk right up
nnd tell them to go lo Jericho or some oth-
er place. Now. to show you that you ought
to be the happiest boy in the W0I'1d- here
is a letter for you to read. ‘ .
Joe took the letter nnd saw lbat it “E5
in a dciicale hand. which be recognized as
that of Lucy Walton.
with ii. queer tugging at his heart he rend
,'IfIAPPY DAYS.
‘My Dear Joe.-Father has asked me to
write to you in his behalf. and assure you
that he feels very badly about his part in
the trouble that you have had. lie is glad
that you have been vindicated, and he
wishes the son of his old friend and school-
mate to come and see him. lie is willing to
make all possible reparation for his unjust
suspicions of you which he now sees were
unfounded.
‘Joe, we feel very badly. and I can assure
you that I had faith in you from the first.
for I knew that you would never do such a
thing. But it was represented to father by
the accountants that you were surely guilty.
I know that you have the forgiving spirit.
and that you will come nnd give us both a
chance to show what high esteem we have
for you. I feel sure you will come for my
sake. Your friend.
‘Lucy Walton."
Joe felt giddy for a moment after read-
ing this epistle. The old sawyer laughed
and placed his arm around him an said:
‘e want you. Joe! We cannot let you
go away from Townsen . if you" are not
blind you will understand what that letter
means." That pooty girl has lost her heart
you. ;
Joe blushed furiously, but he simply em-
braced the rough sawyer and exclaimed:
" ack. you are the best friend I ever bad.
You have a heart of gold. Yes, I will go
back, for I can see that I ought to be very
thankful for all the blessings that have
ne could be sure that I
was not guilty, and I suppose it is the way
of the world to think a man guilty until he
has proved himself innocent.” '
“That's the way of it. lad. That is com-
mon sense’.' “is
Joe's life once more brightened. and he
went back.
Back to Townsend. which was to be the
scene of all his future life happiness. lie
answered the invitation to visit Mr. Wal-
ton and Lucy.
The reception he received was a simple
and fitting on.. but it ad a meaning that
he coiBd feel. Joe knew that his life was
settled forever. and it required no prom-
ises or words to assure .
Ile went back to the mill oiilce, and soon
was again the most popular youth in the
town. Joe was the most welcome visitor
at the Walton home. and his friendship
with Lucy was of a. kind that engendered a
happy and complete understanding.
Lucy went abroad the next year, as ur-
rangcd. but every mall brought to Joe a
letter from her.
The business of Walton 8: Co. nourished.
and it soon became known that the com-
pany consisted of a partnership of llir. Wal-
ton nnd Joe. Every day the young or-
phan boy took long strides forward in the
upward course in life. and he became A
power in the business world.
So. when the girl he had placed his faith
in came home from her foreign travel he
was able to meet her on that level that he
had hoped to attain. and had at last real-
e .
But in the town Joe was the same demo-
cratic fellow. and everybody's friend an
ever. lie was beloved of everyone.
He played on the baseball nine just the
same. and was the mainstay of the Town-
send nine. Many games were won. and the
boys made an idol of their wonderful pitch-
e .
ilankins went to jail for a term of years.
It was well deserved. for he had proved
himself a malicious and vengeful man. But
even at that Joe could not resist a iorziv-
ing spirit. and he was at last instrumental
in securing a shortening of his sentence.
But one day after Joe had become assured
of his position in the world. he took a few
days and went over to Benton to show the
acquaintances of his youth that their pre-
dictions regarding blm had miserably fail-
d
Among those he met was Nathan Small.
The old miser could hot help but hate
Joe for his honesty and for the fact that
he was the son of his father. He met him
on the street. and Joe went up pleasantly
and held out his hand.
“How do you do, .li’r. Small,‘ he said cor-
dially. “I have come over to Benton to
show you that your prediction regarding
me did not come irue. l have contrived
to make good. and I guess that Io-day I can
sign my name to as rgc a check as you
can. I have obtained my wealth througlf
the channels of reputable business, and not
by robbing widows and orphans.”
Old Nathan Small showed his yellow
fangs in n snarling grin of hale and rage.
e glared at Joe a moment. and then.
without a word. walked past and disappear-
ed down the street. Joe laughed and gazed
after him, for he had no reason to fear
him now.
.lle hR(l,fl’lllFill the battle of life against
odds. and fought it honestly. and had won
in virlory that assured him happiness and
honor the rest of his ‘ e , ‘.
rm: exp.
.....+-....+.....-....-........
A very long and very inter-
esting story. Out to-day
“PLUCK AND LITC "‘ ‘O. ."' . LV
ropy of “The White Wolf of the Gnltecs;
or, A llvstcry of the Mountain.‘ There is
a big 5 cents rvorlh in this story, ' '
25
Boarding-house Keeper-liave you any
strawberries! Grocer-No, ma'am-they're
all gonwjust this one left. Hoarding-
house Keeper-Well. that's plenty. I want
it for strawberry shoricake.
‘ “Annie, where's papal‘ “llc's upstairs,
N0.
asleep.” “Were you upstairs. dour?’ ‘
ma. n 0 you know he's
asleep?" ‘I heard him doing it. lies
51999133 out loud."
The Lxidy-Well. I'll give you twopcnce
--not because I think you deserve it. mind.
but because it pleases me, The 1'.-
Thank yer, mum. Couldn't yer make it :1
tanner. an‘ thoroughly enjoy yrrself?
scheme.” replied [ho ' 0 acquire
wisdom by first determining how foolish I
can be “
liiiss Iilack-Mr. Brown, does you know
what a bird of paradise is‘! liir. Brow
I worl' I wouldn't be
a bit surprised ieu diskuvab dat it was
spring chicken. .
Mistress-Nora, why Vidn't you finish
winding up the clock! You only gave it a.
couple of turns. Nora-Shore. and Ill be
lavin’ ycz ter-morrer, mum. and I'll not he
altber doln' anny of lhe new gyrul's work."
I heard this week of a would-be sporty
young Englewood fellow who sent his best
girl a box of fiowers the other da
ordering them, and it read:
you can for seventy-five cents.‘
The editor of'a country paper received
the following query: “Can you tell me what
the weather will be next month!‘ in re-
ply, he wrote: “it is my belief that on
weather next month will be very much like
your subscription." The inquirer wondered
lie went in the next day and
squared his account.
L 0
HUI OUR TE.lg-UENTIHANDBUOK
No. 5‘il0W TO MAKE LOVE
A complete guide to love. courtship and
marriage. giving sensible advice. rules and
etiquette to be observed. with 1uany.curl-
‘due and interesting things not generally
interesting items.
Without the aid of a. glass. an Australian
is said to have written 10,061 words on a
postal card. .
The door area of Si. I‘ctcr's. Rome. is
227,069 square feet. being the greatest of
any cathedral in the world.
From the bawkbili furfle of the ‘Carri-
bean Sea comes the tortoise shell of com-
eke.
Peruvian tombs dating back to the time
of the Incas have been found to contain line
specimens of cotton fabrics.
in the Vatican at Rome is the largest
topaz in the world. it weighs seven pounds.
and has carvings upon it that occupied
three Neapolitan lapldaries 61 years.
Many old houses in iiolland have a
special door which is never opened save on
special occasions-when there is a mar-
riage or a death in the family. The bride
and bridegroom enter by this door. and it
is then nailed or barred up until a death
occurs, when opened and the body is
removed by this exit.
The late Ceorge D. Wolf. of Sommerdale,
a suburb of rhilndelphia, was not very fond
n-in-law. ills wil
to
native of lluntingdon. Pa, to enable him
to buy a good, stout rope with which to
hang himself."
The New York Aquarium, located in an
old fort, remains the finest in all my wan-
oeringe. said a traveler. but the second
place is now taken by Ileriln.'
forgetting gfnplos: but Naples, like New
York, is on the son, and nlluwnncn must be
ruaiilc for Berlin's lmntlicnp of distance in-
Bll .-
A grocer st Fond du Lac. “'is.. who
fcnrcd a visit from robbcrs. hired a boy
fifteen years old to sit up nights and watch
the store. on the third night robbers came.
and they not only look n wagon load of
sum‘ away. but finding tllc bay :1 somld
slcvpor they londcxi him on (up of the
stolen stud’
dump-‘ti him .1lon:z.<ldc fho ronul.
wake up then was only when a
farmer ramp on his way to Furl)’ nmrkrt
that um xmtrhnmn npvilml his ores and
unaulmi to know vvll.-it haul happened.
kg
