Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-01-12
THE HOOSIER
SGhoOI-Masfer.
BY EDWARD EGGLESTON.
CHAPTER XXXI.-(CoNTINUED.) }
THE TRIAL CONCLUDED.

Here a new hubbub took place at the
door, 1t was none other than the
crazy pauper, Tom Bifield, who per-
sonated General Andrew Jackson in
the poor-house. He had caught some
inkling of the trial, and had escaped
in Bill JOnes's absence, His red
plume was flying, and in his tattered
and filthy garb he was indeed pictu-
rescue figure.
"Squar," said he, elbowing his way
through the crowd, "I kin tell you
somethin'. Pm Gineral Andrew
Jackson. Lost my head at Beuny
Visty. This head growed on. 1t
amt good fer much. One sides later.
But rothcr's sound as q nut. Now, l
kin give you information"
Bronson, with the quick perceptions
OF politician, had begun to see which
way future winds would probably
blow. "If the court please,n he said,
"this man is not wholly sane, but we
might get valuable information out of
him. / suggest that his testimony be
taken for what it is worth"
"No, you don't swar me-" broke in
the lunatic. You see, when a feller's
got one side of his head tater, he's
mighty onsartain like. You don't
swar me, fer l can't tell what minute
the tater side'll begin to talk. Pm
talkin' out of the left side now, and
I'm all right. But you don't swar
me. But ef you'll send some of your
constables out to the barn at the pore
house and look under the hay-mOw in
the nor th-east corner. you'll find some
things may be as has been missin'
fer some time. And that amt out of
the tater side nutber."
Meantime Bud did not rest. Hear
ing the nature of the testimony given
by Hank Banta before he entered, he
attacked Hank and vowed he'd send
him to prison if he didn't make a
clean breast. Hank was a thorough
coward, and, now that his friends
were prisoners, was ready enough to
tell the truth il he could be protected
from prosecution. Seeing the dispOsi-
ton of the prosecuting attorney, Bud
got from him promise that he would
do what he could to protect Hank.
That worthy then took the stand, con-
fessed his lie, and even told the in
ducement which Mr.. Pete Jones had
offered him to perjure himself.
To be sure" said Pearson.
SQUIRE Hawkins, turning his right
eve upon him, while the left looked at
the ceiling, said : BE careful, Mr..
Pearson, or | shall have to punish you
for contempt"
"Why, Squar, I didn't know twas
any sin TO have a healthy contemp'
4, Ii yf
The Squire looked at Mr.. Pearson
severely, and the latter feeling that he
had committed some ofiense without
knowing it, subsidized into silence.
Bronson now had a keen sense OF
the direction of the gale.
"If the court please" said he, Il
have tried TO do my duty in this case.
1t was my duty to prosecute Mr.. Hart
sock, however much | might feel as
sured that he was innocent, and that
he would be able to prove his innO-
cence. L now enter q aOiiG in his case
and that of John Pearson, and ask
! that this court adjourn until to-mor.
/ row, in order to give me time to ex-
anime the evidence in the case of the
1 other parties under arrest. / am proud
\ to think that my efforts have been the
/ means of sitting the matter TO the bot
tom, of freeing Mr.. Hartsook from
suspicion, and of detecting the real
criminals"
+" Ughu' said Pearson, who conceiv.
ed a great dislike TO Bronson.
1.-THE court" said Squire Hawkins
'congratulates Mr.. Hartsook on his
triumphant acquittal. He is discharg
ed from the bar of this court, and
from the bar of public sentiment
without a suspicion of guilt. Consta'
ble, discharge Ralph Hartsook and
John Pearson"
Old Jack Means, who had always
had a warm side for the master, now
proposed three cheers for Mr.. Hart
sock, and they were given with viii
by the people who would have hanged
him an hour before.
Mrs. Means gave it as her opinion
that Jack Means alters wuz fool!'
This court, y said DIR. Underwood
has one other duty to perform before
adjourning for the day. Recall Han
nah Thomson"
/ list started her on ahead to gii
supper and milk the cows" said NJ rs
| Means. Amt agoin' TO have bel
loaiin' here all day.
" Constable, recall her. THIS cour
cannot adjourn until she returns pa
Hannah had gone but little way
aud was soon in the presence OF th'
court, trembling for fear of some new
calamity.
Hannah Thomson"-it was Squirt
Underwood who spoke" Hannai
Thomson, this court wishes TO ask yo'
one or two questions
I" Yes, sir,' but her voice died to
J whisper.