east, hating humanity, he grew to love other people, and be
ready to sacrifice himself to save another. You remember how he
voluntarily gave himself up to the law in that courtroom scene, just
to save a miserable wretch who was about to be punished under the
belief that he was the genuine Jean Valjean."

"Yes, but Hugh, he was unknown when he fought his battle, and won
out. Besides, he had the money he received for the silver the priest
gave him, with which to get a start in the world. But Nick here is
known, and people point their fingers at him with scorn, and talk
openly about his playing another of his pranks."

"That was just what I had in mind when I spoke, Thad. Nick has the
harder row of the two to hoe. And if he wins out he'll deserve a lot
of praise, I tell you. But see who's coming along here in a rig,
will you?"

"Why, it's good old Deacon Winslow, the blacksmith weather prophet;
and, Hugh, isn't he beckoning to us right now?"

"Just what he is; let's cross over and see what he wants with us,"
Hugh immediately went on to say; for, as has been intimated before in
these pages, he had come to feel a great interest in the brawny
smith, and wanted to cultivate a closer acquaintance with him; there
was something so genial, so wholesome about the owner of the
crossroads smithy.

"Jump in and go along with me, lads," sang out Mr. Winslow, as they
came up. "I'm bound around to the home of Mrs. Disney on a little
errand; and, since you two are interested, I thought you might like
to help me explain to the poor woman that I want to go on her boy's
bail. It's a shame he has to stay in the lockup all this time,
waiting for his trial to come off."

The chums exchanged quick looks.

"How about it, do we go along, Hugh?" asked Thad.

For answer the other hopped up alongside the deacon, and, of course,
Thad did likewise. Since the Disney home was not far away they were
quickly at the door, and knocking for admittance.

Leon's mother answered the summons. She looked frightened at seeing
the huge bulk of the blacksmith there, and the two boys with him.
But no sooner had he spoken in his kindly fashion than the anxious
expression fled from her pale face.

"Please excuse me for dropping in on you, Mrs. Disney," said the
deacon, after they had been ushered into the humble sitting-room,
where a wood-fire burned on the hearth; "but I just couldn't stand it
any longer. I want to stand bail for your boy, so yo