Sebastian looked at the judge, but did not answer.
“I arrested him,” said the detective. “He was on one of the company’s cars. He tried to break away from me, and when I held him he assaulted me. This man here was a witness,” he added, turning to the railroad hand who had helped him.
“Is that where he struck you?” asked the Court, observing the detective’s swollen jaw.
“Yes, sir,” he returned, glad of an opportunity to be further revenged.
“If you please,” put in Gerhardt, leaning forward, “he is my boy. He was sent to get the coal. He—”
“We don’t mind what they pick up around the yard,” interrupted the detective, “but he was throwing it off the cars to half a dozen others.”
“Can’t you earn enough to keep from taking coal off the coal cars?” asked the Court; but before either father or son had time to answer he added, “What is your business?”
“Car builder,” said Sebastian.
“And what do you do?” he questioned, addressing Gerhardt.
“I am watchman at Miller’s furniture factory.”