Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1874-07-11

that Willie might not be dead after all,
but only hurt. And So he placed her
upon bed, and he and Phil left her
there, and started to go and see Willie.
Not many words were said as the man
and boy climbed the bank, and strobe
hastily along to the fatal spot. As they
neared it, there sat the two watchers,
faithful to their post, and as still as
statues.
Phil and Walter turned the angle of
the fence, and the father came upon the
body of his little son. He had not
seemed stricken with grief until now,
bnt only excited. As he looked stead
lily upon the chubby little form, all bat
tered and bloody and bruised, the lad
who had brought him there felt that
some word must be said.
"It's kick, amt it ?' said he.
This was hardly the right thing to say
at such moment, perhaps. The poor
father choked and trembled, and re-
piled, "a kick, or bite, or something
%, dear |" and then he turned his
head and looked away, and there was
the sound of his sobbing, and strange,
moaning cry.
Walter would not stay by the body,
but directed the boys to remain and
watch, while he himself went and
brought his friend, the doctor. Aud
then he turned away and went off over
the fields toward the settlement, utter
ing loud sobs and that same strange
cry.
1t was hardly more than ten minutes
walk down to the road toward which
Walter directed his steps, and in very
short time the boys saw groups Of men
coming from the houses, up the accliv-
ity toward the fatal spot. They came
hastily, two and three together, and
soon a dozen or more were gathered
around the three boys who had watched,
and we're gazing at the body.
After the first look the men made
characteristic remarks.
"This is a rough piece of business !"
said Dan.
Fearful |" said Pete.
"That's durn queer work for horse,
now, amt it?" said Levy, tall, keen
fellow, intended by nature for lawyer.
"It don't look like hoss to me, |"
said another.
And 80 they went on to comment and
examine.
1t appeared that the rail und r which
Willie was iammed was dented and
marked, as if hammered by many
blows, The three innocent boys who
had originated the "hosS theory" as
the men called it, accounted for the
marks on the rail by saying that the
horse paved at Willie after he was un-
der the fence.
The men said they knew better they
began to question the boys as if they
entertained suspicious in regard to
them, and the boys became very un-
comfortable. The men asked repeat
edly just how the body was lyiug when
the boys had found it, and inquired
again whether they had moved it at ALL
The lads felt these insinuations very
keenly.
Men continued to come, and at length
women came in groups, until quite an
assembly was gathered there in the open
field. Finally Walter returned slowly
up the hill with few friends, as if he
were reluctant to come again to the
place. Just as he reached the spot,
good old Father Mosely, and his wife,
a sharp, managing woman, came from
the opposite direction and met Walter.
Father and Mother Mosely lived down
by the school at the other side
of the settlement.
Mother Mosely at once seized hold Of
Walter, and while she wrung his hand,
exclaimed, in high voice, that seemed
to the boys not becoming or natural
voice in which to express grief
{" Oh, Walter, we can't give him up
no, no, no, oh, dear "
The gesticulation which accompanied
this was tragic and STACEY, and it was by
far the most theatrical thing done upon
that occasion.
Father Mosely spoke very few words
which interested the people very much.
Hearing some allusion made to the
"hoss theory" he said
"The little boy down at the school
says it was a sheep that did it. "
And then it came out that Willie's
PLAYMATE, Charlie Sanders, vas "the
| little boy down at the school" and
that Charlie had cried all the forenoon,
and dared not tell the teacher what the
matter was but finally, at the noon.
spell, he told little girl that Willie did
not come to school because sheep III
the lot had chased them and knocked
Willie down, and he could not get up,
Here was light, indeed, especially foi
the three lads, who had begun to feel
since the horse theory was criticised, al
if they themselves were culprits, unless
they accounted for "the murder. "
Across the lot the sheep were still
feeding. A young farmer stepped out
of the crowd and called, " Nan, nan
man," and the flock, raising their heads
responded with multitude of ba-a-as
and came galloping over the grass,
field. At their head was the "old ram,
a fine "buck," with great horns curling
in spirals around his ears.
The young farmer held Willie
basket in one hand, and, making
brawny fist of the other, struck out to
,, ward the ram, offering him battle. Th
,, buck at once brought his head down il
: line of attack, squared himself for
! big butt, and came on with a lite run
and charge that, In an artistic poin
of view. was quite beautiful. The fal
= mer stepped aside, caught him by hi
i horns as he came, and that magniticen
, charge was his last.
There was blood thirsty feeling pei
vading the crowd, undoubtedly, bu
I Buck had a fair trial. There, on hi
white, bold face and horns, we're tn
a bright carmine drops of fresh blood
No other witnesses were needed. In
MON .nt glittering, keen knife hashe
from somebody's keeping into the brigh
sunshine, and in moment more pul
: pie stream dyed the white wool aroun
n Bucks throat, and there was a red poe
!. upon the grass; and little later, as Da
: remarked, "some tough mutton"
4 The excitement abated; for the my
tery was cleared up, and justice had il
4 due. Kind-hearted Joe, who superb
q tended the Sabbath-school and led IL
4 religious element of the neighberhooC
s stepped forward and said to the crowt
"Well, boys, it is all right here, an
Q no suspicion, and no need OF any Ger
Il mony; let us take him home"
n And then Joe took Willie in his arm
and held him closely, with the lit