in attire. Some of the occupants of the room were there
as witnesses in cases, others because of interest in parties to be
tried, while the majority were there to pass judgment on the judge and
learn as best they might the ways of the court and the law. Here and
there was a sprinkling of respectable people who had by means of some
mischance been caught in the drift.

One by one parties charged with offenses were called forward, fined and
ordered released or passed back. At length the case of Henry Crump was
called, and he came forward at a rather brisk pace, looking confidently
at his mother and Foresta who had come prepared to lift him out of his
trouble. On the same seat with Foresta and her mother sat Tiara and
Ensal and their presence somehow gave added assurance to Henry.

Henry made his statements, the witnesses were examined and in the
monotone with which the police judge went through with all of the cases,
he said, "Fined twenty dollars and costs."

Foresta half arose, shocked at the amount, and Mrs. Crump crouched back
in her seat in despair. Foresta had in her hand a crisp ten dollar bill
which the family had raised, not dreaming that the fine would go above
that amount.

"Pass him back," said the judge. Henry cast an inquiring look at Foresta
and his mother. Tears were in Foresta's eyes and Henry knew that they
were helpless. It simply meant that he was to have a pick on his leg and
work the streets of Almaville. He dropped his head disconsolately,
nervously fumbled his hat, and tears appeared in his eyes. The sting
went deep into his boyish soul as he walked away.

"Wait a minute!" rang out Tiara's voice, and going up to the judge's
desk, she put down a fifty-dollar-bill, saying, "Take the amount of the
fine and costs out of this."

The judge looked up somewhat surprised. Tiara's act, born purely out of
sympathy for the youthfulness of Henry and of sentimental regard for the
first family that harbored her in Almaville, was totally
misunderstood by the court officials. They fancied they scented a race
contest in the matter and felt that Tiara was simply trying to show
that it was all right for a Negro boy to stand up against white boys.
They now decided to punish Henry to the limit of the law.

"Release the prisoner," said the judge.

Henry was released and Foresta and her frail looking mother rushed to
Tiara to thank her. While they were doing this the deputy sheriff
stepped up and rearrested Henry.