tand aside, and if the Captain comes before court
is through, we will see further; if not, you must be committed as a
vagrant. I'm afraid of you young strollers."

The officer of the guard, as if the poor boy's feelings were not already
sufficiently harassed, took him by the arm, and pushing him into a
corner, said, "There, you young scamp, sit down. You'll get your deserts
when you get to the jail."

He sat down, but could not restrain his feelings. The presence of the
Captain was his only hope. He saw the prisoners arraigned one by one,
and join him as they were ordered for committal. He was handcuffed like
the rest, and delivered to the constable. The reader can imagine the
smile of gladness that welcomed the Captain's timely appearance. The
latter's exhibition of feeling, and the simple exclamation of the
child's joy, formed a striking picture of that fondness which a loving
child manifests when meeting its parents after a long absence.

"Take the irons off that child," said the colonel to the constable. "A
man like you should not put such symbols of ignominy upon a youth like
that."

"I would do any thing to oblige you, colonel; but I cannot without
orders from the mayor," returned the man, very civilly.

"I'll see that you do, very quick," rejoined the colonel, impatiently;
and taking the little fellow by the arm in a compassionate manner, led
him back into the presence of the mayor, followed by the Captain.

"I want to know what you are committing this lad for," said the colonel,
setting his hat upon the table, while his face flushed with indignation.

"Vagrancy, and caught prowling about the streets with a negro at
midnight. That is the charge, colonel," replied the mayor, with
particular condescension and suavity.

"Was there any proof adduced to substantiate that fact?"

"None but the policeman's; you know we are bound to take that as prima
facie."

"Then it was entirely ex parte. But you know the character of these
policemen, and the many aggravated circumstances that have arisen from
their false testimony. I wish to cast no disrespect, your honor; but
really they will swear to any thing for a fee, while their unscrupulous
bribery has become so glaring, that it is a disgrace to our police
system. Have you heard the boy's story?" said the colonel.

"Well, he began to tell a crooked story, so full of admissions, and then
made such a blubbering about it, that I couldn't make head or tail of
it."