"
The only exception which Ned made was Mr. Cartwright, a mill owner
at Liversedge. He had been slightly acquainted with Captain Sankey;
and one day soon after Ned's return as he was walking along the
street oblivious, as usual, of every one passing, Mr. Cartwright
came up and placing himself in front of him, said heartily:
"I congratulate you with all my heart, Sankey, on your escape from
this rascally business. I knew that your innocence would be proved:
I would have staked my life that your father's son never had any
hand in such a black affair as this. I am heartily glad!"
There was no withstanding the frank cordiality of the Yorkshireman's
manner. Ned's reserve melted at once before it.
"Thank you very much," he said, returning the grasp of his hand;
"but I am afraid that though I was acquitted my innocence wasn't
proved, and never will be. You may think me innocent, but you will
find but half a dozen people in Marsden to agree with you."
"Pooh! pooh!" Mr. Cartwright said. "You must not look at things
in that light. Most men are fools, you know; never fear. We shall
prove you innocent some day. I have no doubt these rascally Luddites
are at the bottom of it. And now, look here, young fellow, I hear
that you are going to run the mill. Of course you can't know much
about it yet. Now I am an old hand and shall be happy to give you
any advice in my power, both for your own sake and for that of
your good father.
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