"Guess we won't find the judge up yet," remarked Tony Parsons as we hurried along. "I've never yet found him out of bed afore seven o'clock. It will make him mighty mad to get up afore this time."
"I'm sorry to disturb him," I replied, with something of awe at the thought of rousing a magistrate of the law.
"But it's got to be done," went on Parsons, with a grave shake of his head, "unless we all want to be murdered and robbed in our beds!"
"That's true. I'd give all I'm worth to catch that tramp."
"Reckon Widow Canby'll be dreadfully cut up when she hears about the robbery."
"I suppose so."
"She may blame you, Roger. You see if it was anybody else, it would be different. But being as it's you, why&—"
"I know what you mean," I returned bitterly. "No one in Darbyville believes I can be honest."
"I ain't saying nothing against you, Roger," returned Parsons, hastily. "I reckon you ain't no worse than any other boy. But you know what public sentiment is."
"So I do; but public sentiment isn't always right," was my spirited answer.