Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-01-07
RICHARD BUTLER's ALIBI.
RY MARY KILE DALLAS.


L seen the rain coming, and asked for
help, and you said that could easy get il
DONE said Richard.
| I'D have done it at your age said old
Graft.
I've only got two arms, said Richard.
i amt dragon Richards ideas OF drag
ons were vague. a mans man and a
steam injun is a steam injun.'
You amt WORTH your salt said old
Craft
'Ner / don't get paid its valley said
| Richard.
WED best part, then, said old Craft.
Good, said Richard I've long thought
| it,
Then they turned away frem each oths
er, Craft entering the kitchen, Richard
marching toward the wet hay field, and
Aunt THckertown, who had been buying
eggs of Mr. Craft, tro tied down TO the viii
lage to retail the news that old raft and
Richard had qusrrellcd. and were going to
part.
Meanwhile both the men were well
aware that the squabble meant nothing.-
Such little sparring matches were frequent
enough, and yet Richard would not nave
left his master for any more tempting situ-
alton. nor would old Craft dismissed him
for all tie hay in the meadow. Yet the
was sort of formula to be gone through
with. Richard mu,t sulk. and go with
out his tea, and the old master growl over
his delinquencies all the evening to his
wife, and declare that lie would keep
Richard no longer.
| Tonight Craft was more loquacious as
he smoked bis pipf en- the porch, and it so
happened that neighbor from I-drop>
ped IN to speak about some MATTER of
business, and heard him. Ie.alse carried
into the village that Craft had dismissed
Richard, and so the young man found the
news at the tavern before him. There he
neither denied nor agreed to il, but suked
over his ale until eleven O'Clock, and then
gave the company Good night and wen,
away. turning as they all saw home
| ward
| He was really more ont of temper than
usual, and when halfway on his journey.
he heard in the distance cry for help, felt
inclined TO say that il was none of his bus
mess, and keep on. But his better nature
prevailed. The cry was repeated. 1t
seemed to come from he wood hard by.
and feeling his way IL rough the tangled
brushwood. Richard came al last to the
spot whence the cries and groans pros
ceeded, and found man, who, in The faint
moonlight, seemed old and feeble, bound
| 10 tree. Richards first act was 10 unite
the rope about his waist, his next to lit
him from the ground on which he fell the
instant his bonds were unloosensd.
Come now, be said. with his odd rough
kindness, Come grandaddy, who did this
to you? What's happened
I've been here an hour said the old
man. I've been set upon by thieves. and
half murdered, They took my watch and
purse, and beat me terribly besides. To
be sure resisted-who would not? Then
they dragged ne here andlied me fast. I'm
thankful to you, Young man, very thank
ful.'
oh, tisnt much to do said Richard
Come now. grandfather, lets get home
Why, you can't but just standl Hang
the brutes, Hold on to me Stand so.-
Wen get on. Where do You live?
"A long way of, said the old man; but
If could catch the stage at North Corr
ners, Id be all right. 1t passes at three, |
know. Its twelve now, time enough if
could get there
Wen get there said Richard. Come
now. Ihad an old grandsddy OF my ow
and Ill be old myself yet. III carry you,
before you shsn't go.'
= And IN truth. the old man being weak
and lame from his bruises before long
Richard did take him upon his back and
walk off with him. 1t was a slow journey
at this rate, with many pauscs. and good
deal OF Tins passed in taking breath; but,
before the stage passed North Corners.
Richard had the old man on the spot.s
storm was gathering. and the moon had
either set or was Oscured by black clouds.
1t was AS dark as night could be- Neither
saw the others face, as Richard helped
the old man in the stage.
But he graspcd his hand as they parted.
Tell me your name,' he said. My son
could not have been kinder.
oh. my name ant worth remembering
said Richard.
Goodbye
And they parted.
Richard trudged honeward. 1t was
carly dawn when he reached the garden
gate. Yet to his surprise the gate stood
wide open.
In a moment more, ss he stalked across
the threshold, surprise changed to horror,
there, upon the floor, lay his old master
watering in blood, and beyond, doubled
up in great arm chair. poor old Mrs.
Cratt--dead also, with q great rough
wound across her forehead. A hatchct
covered with blood and hair, lay near;
and the place had evidently been sacked by
the murderers, who had left the marks OF
their bloody hand on everything in the
room.
Richard burst into tears, and flung him,
self on the floor beside bis dead master.-
He bemoaued his own absence with ritter
self reproach. Then, before he sunni nei
aid, 1t seemed best to him to show some
respect to the poor dnngured bodies; and
With no thought of the consequences, he
carried the aid man to the bed, and laid
him upon it, He had returned to do the
same by The poor old woman, when, with
loud cries ofrsge and horror, two men
rushed in at the open door, and seized
him by the arms. -