The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-08-21

walked into his study, and in a minute
more Mrs. Lawton came out into the
garden, and approaching little Jack
took him by the hand and led him into
the house.
well e the gig brought out soon,"
said Tom. cts working finely"
The jokers grouped about the porch.
One or two looked very much scared,
but Tom was in high feather. They
listened, but heard no sound for a long
time. Then there arose a faint, long
drawn moan. A woman's scream fol-
lowed it. Then came silence. Tom
stopped laughing. One of the boys be-
gan to cry. All felt a strange terror
come over them.
In a moment more the study-door
burst open and Mrs. Lawton appeared.
"One of You boys-Tom Hurd, you,"
she cried, "you are the largest-run
for DIR. Blair. Don't let him lose a
moment. Rum"
"What has ~happeaed?" asked Tom.
"Don't stop to ask questions. Co."
cried Mrs. Lawton.
And Tom, without his hat, started of.
1t was a long run to the doctors, and
he was breathless when he reached the
door. He could not talk to the doctor
as he drove back in his gig he conld
only say something dreadful must have
happened. And when the Doctor hur-
ried INTO the Professors study he wait
ed outside, trembling and tryingip vain
10 hear what was going On.
Mr.. Barker, the assistant came around
the house after awhile, and said there
would he no school that afternoon, and
that the boys must make no noise what
The practical jokers had no wish to
do So. They sat silently on the porch,
uatil at last the study door reopcned
aud the Doctor came ont, with the Pro-
fessor following him.
1T IS Il terrible thing" he said,
terrible. ! have known sud
den shocks to produce death very often,
when the heart was affected. All, dear
me I"
please sir" cried a dozen boys
voices at once, won't You tell us what
has happened"
THAT telegram was from poor Jack
Redburn's home" said the Professor.
% His mother is dead. lie was a deli
boy. ard the Doctor says"
"Ah, yes y said the Doctor. "Ies.
ves-dropped dead at once, diin he
poor fellow"
Dead !" cried the boys.
dead" cried Tom Hurd. "Oh,
Doctor! no, no, no! Save
! save him /! It's a joke-a wicked
Joke. His mother is alive. l sent the
telegram. Tell him that /; it will bring
him to. Tell him !, tell him.
Dead people can't be brought to-"
cried the Doctor. care you speaking
the truth ?"
ooh, yes" cried Tom, groveling in
dust. "Oh, yes. Oh, God forgive
me! Will I he hung? Oh, try to save
him, Doctor !"
"Thomas Hurd," cried the Professor,
70 stand up don't grovel there. DO
you mean all this? Did you really
send a lying message to a widows only
son to tell him she was dead?"
Eyes, sir" said Tom. "Oh, L am
80 sorry. Oh, 1 wish 1 was. dead.
Can't something be done? He may not
be quite gone. Oh, pray, pray, try"
why did you do such a think as
This ?" asked the Doctor.
"Only for fun" answered Tom.
"Do you think it fun nor ?" asked
.he Doctor.
I'm a murderer" said Tom. "Oh,
hang me hang me !"
"Do you think the law would allow
lis to do it, Doctor ?" asked the Pro
lessor. Il should like very much TO
risk it."
"Please do" said Tom, seriously.
He dropped on the steps as he spoke,
md, lying on his face, began to moan :
I've killed him I've killed him /!
I've killed him I've killed him :" in a
way that was terrible to hear.
The Professor looked ut the Doctor.
He slipped back and opened the door,
and out ran a little slender figure, that
1neit down by Tom. and Wbispered