The Weber Literary Journal "Yes, the jail, and I'd advise you not to make a scene," and he began marching them down the street to the great amusement of the crowd. "Now see here, let me explain" "Explain it to the judge in the morning." "I tell you" "Tell it to the judge in the morning." "I've got to talk tonight" "Talk to the judge in the morning!" Mr. Harland was desperate. To think that he, an honest, upright, law abiding citizen should be put in jail in jail over night for something for which he was not to blame. Finally as a last resort he turned to the officer and said, "Listen here. I'll give you fifty dollars in cash if you'll let me go and I'll appear before the judge tomorrow." For answer the officer thrust the newspaper article, that had so appealed to Mr. Harland, up before his eyes. "That's a radical law and should be repealed and I think the judge is unjust and unfair when he makes such a law," declared indignant Mr. Harland, but before he could say any more the officer had locked him in his cell and turned to look after his other prisoner, who strange to say, seemed peaceable enough. At home Mrs. Harland appeared to be enjoying herself very much. Everything Marion would say seemed comical to her, at least Marion thought so, for every time she spoke about Mr. Harland she would laugh. Finally Marion, in desperation, cried, "Mother, forever more! what ails you today?" Mrs. Harland tried her best to straighten her face as she shook her head and said, "Nothing," and then burst out laughing again. Marion walked away, thoroughly disgusted. Mr. Harland fumed all night; not one minute did he sleep. Next morning the judge walked slowly into court and called forth the victims. Mr. Harland and the man who collided with him were the only victims and the judge looked very much surprised to see him there. 20 The Weber Literary Journal "Why, Mr. Harland" "Don't Mr. Harland me. It isn't my fault. It was this bloomin' officer's and that man's fault. That officer should be discharged and your law repealed." "Will you state the case?" turning to the officer and taking no notice of Mr. Harland. The case was heard, Mr. Harland set free and a heavy fine given to the other fellow. Mr. Harland marched out of the court room and called a taxi to take him home. "Why father, where have you been and where is the car?" queried Marion as her father came stalking into the house. "Never mind where I've been but get me some dinner," snarled Mr. Harland. It was nearly eleven o'clock but Harland didn't care. He would have his three meals a day if the first one was at twelve o'clock. As he sat down to the table what should he see but a small piece of paper, lying on his plate with the following neatly written: "Hire of automobile $2; hire of officer to be on hand $10; newspaper article $6; hire of man to run automobile $10; pay for damages of car." At the surprised, puzzled look on Mr. Harland's face, Mrs. Harland again began to laugh. "What does this mean?" began Mr. Harland and looked around at his convulsive wife. "Rex, come in and tell him," laughed Mrs. Harland, and Harland was still more surprised to see young Lee walk in before him, Marion timidly following. Rex began rattling something off about walking home from town and roughnecks coming out of saloon and the 'cop' taking them all to jail, "and then," he continued, "Mrs. Harland felt sorry for us; so she put her wits to working, and this was the plan she thought of." Mr. Harland looked around at these three expectant people and then at the small piece of paper. A smile slowly formed around the corners of his stern mouth. At the look of relief on the faces of the young couple and guilty Mrs. Harland he began to laugh heartily as he said, "Well, Mrs. Harland, I'll have to admit that you win, and Rex, if you're willing to have a 'jail bird' for a father, why it's alright." 21