Page 115 - An Amateur Fireman

"Why, in the shed, of course, we--- "

"Had you heard the prisoner threaten to set fire to the shed?"

"He didn't mean a word of it; did you, Jip? He was— "

"Unless you answer the questions which are asked, and in a proper manner, we shall find some means of
punishing you," the judge said sternly, and Jip's attorney whispered a few words in the ear of the witness,
which had the effect of checking him for the time being.

He was questioned regarding what he had heard Jip say as to burning the shed; how many times such threat
had been repeated in his presence, and what the prisoner had told concerning the crime after it had been
committed.

It was the last question which set loose the floodgates of his speech, and, regardless of the judge's warnings or
the attorney's nervous gestures, he said, speaking rapidly in order that all might be told before they should
check him:

"Jip, he was awful sorry 'cause he'd done it, an' said he'd square things if we'd let him. He wouldn't even put
up his hands when I was goin' to thump him, an' if Sam Barney hadn't wanted to show hisself off for a
detective there wouldn't been any fuss like this. What does he know 'bout bein' a detective? Why, I
wouldn't--- "

By this time the court officials managed to stop the flow of words; but not before he had shaken his fist in the
direction of Sam, and caused even the judge to smile.

"You may step down," the clerk said, after order had been restored, and Dan asked innocently:

"Ain't you goin' to give me a chance to— "

"Step down!" was the stern command and Master Roberts was forced to obey, much to his displeasure.

"I'll bet I'd fix things if they'd give me a chance," he whispered to Seth as he took his seat; "but that lawyer
'Lish Davis hired don't 'mount to a row of pins."

Then the amateur fireman's name was called, and he proved a more satisfactory witness to all concerned than
had Master Roberts.

He replied briefly to the questions, and when the examination was ended the judge asked how Jip had behaved
after the crime was committed.

Then it was that Seth had an opportunity of telling how penitent the firebug had appeared to be; how eager he
was to do all in his power toward repairing the wrong, and declared he did not believe the prisoner would "go
crooked again."

'Lish Davis next went on the stand, and although he could not swear to Jip's repentance, he testified that the
prisoner himself had sent in the alarm, and succeeded in saying many a good word for the boy.

"That driver is a dandy!" Dan whispered approvingly. "I wish the lawyer was half as good."

Master Roberts was better satisfied with the attorney a short time later, when he made a plea that sentence be
suspended on the prisoner, who had promptly confessed his guilt, and even at the moment when the crime had