ways stands by her friends.

The stable-keeper appeared with his memorandum-book, and astonished
Captain Fishley by swearing that Ham had paid him over thirty dollars,
within two months, for the use of his best team. The witness also
testified that he had seen Ham pay four dollars for two suppers at the
hotel in Tripleton, ten miles distant, and that the defendant had told
him not to tell his father that he hired the team.

The evidence was sufficient to commit the prisoner for trial before the
United States Court. His father and his uncle became his bail. The
detective had also ascertained that he had given his "lady love" jewelry
to the amount of at least thirty dollars, which she indignantly sent
back as soon as the facts transpired.

People wanted to know why I had not told of Ham before. I had told his
father, but he would not believe me. I was afraid that Squire Fishley
would blame me for the testimony I had given; but he did not, much as he
regretted his brother's misfortune.

Our party left the office together. As we were going out, Mr. Barkspear
put his hand on Sim Gwynn's arm, and frightened him nearly out of his
scanty wits. The poor fellow flew to the protection of Mr. Goodridge.

"That boy ran away from me," said the miserly farmer.

"He didn't give me enough to eat," howled Sim.

"He must go back and work for me till his time is out."

"No, sir; he shall not," interposed the wealthy merchant. "You starved
him, and the obligation, if there ever was any, is cancelled."

"But I ought to have sunthin' for his time," whined Barkspear.

"Not a cent;" and Mr. Goodridge hurried Sim towards the hotel.

Sim was relieved; but Sim was not exactly a prize to any one. He was
good for nothing except to work on a farm, or do the chores about the
house. He was good-natured and willing. He had a hand in saving Emily
Goodridge, and her father could not forget that. He found a place for
him with a minister in Riverport, and left a thousand dollars in trust
for his benefit.

My brother wished to go east, and I was held as a witness to appear in
Ham's trial; but the culprit took to himself heels and ran away,
probably by his father's advice, as the testimony against him continued
to accumulate. His bail was paid, and nothing was heard of Ham for
years, when I saw him tending bar on a Mississippi steamer. He was a
miserable fellow. "Cutting a swell" had been his ruin, for his desire to
be smart before "his girl" had