Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-05-21


away and went of over the fields toward
the settlement, ultering loud sobs and that
same strange cry.
1t was hardly moro than ten minutes
walk down TO the road toward which Wal
ter directed his steps, and in very short
time the boys saw groups Of men coming
from the houses, up the activity toward the
fatal spot. They cane hastily, two and
three together, and soon dozeL or more
were gathered around the three boys who
had watched, and were gazing at the body
Amer the FIRST look the men made char
acterlstic remarks.
"This is rough piece of business |" said
Dan.
Fearful |" said Pete.
"Thars durn queer work for a horse now,
ain'titH" said Levy, a tall, keen fellow,
intended by nature for q lawyer.
at don't look like boss TO me-" said
another.
And so they went on 10 comment and ex-
anime.
II appeared that the rail under which
Willie was jammed was dented and mark
ed, as IL hammered by many blows. The
three innocent boys who had originated the
"hoss theory" as the men called ii, ac-
counted for the marks on the rail by saying
that the horse had paved at Willie afler lie
was under the fence.
The men said they knew better, they be-
gan to question the boys as If they enter
tanned suspicious In regard to them, and
the boys became very uncomfortable. The
men asked repeatedly just how the body
was lying when the boys had found 1t, aud
inquired again and again whether they had
moved 1t at all. The lads felt these lnsln-
uations very keenly.
Men continued to come and at length
women came in groups, until quite an as
sembly was gathered there in the open
field. Finally Walter returned slowly up
The hill with few friends, as IL he wore
reluctant 10 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 Waller. Father aud Mother Nose.
ly lived down by the schoolhouse at the
other side Of the settlement.
Mother Mosoly at once seized hold OF
Walter, and while she wrung his hand, ex-
claimed, In high voice, that seemed to
the boys not n becoming or natural voice
In which 10 express grief;
"oh, Waller, We can't give him up; no,
no, no, oh, dearr'
The gesticulation which accsmp mpanied
this was tragic aud STACEY. and 1t was by
far the most theatrical thing done upon that
occasion.
Father Mosely spoke a very few words
which interested the pupils very much.
Hearing some alluslon to the "hoss theo-
ry," he said:
"The little boy down at the school says
1t was a sheep that did It,"
And then 1t came out that Willie's play
mate, Charlie Sanders, was the little boy
down al the school, and that Charlie had
cried all the forenoon, and dared net tell
the teacher what the matter was but fin
ally at the noon.spell, he told little girl
that Willie did not come 10 school because
a sheep in the lot had chased them and
knocked Willie down, and he could not
get up.
Here was light, indeed, especially for the
three lads, who had begun to feel since the
horse theory was criticised, as If they them
selves were culprits, unless they accounted
for the murderer"
Across the lot the sheep were still feed
Ing. 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 gall
Looping over the grassy field. At their head
was the "old RAM" fine "buck," with
great horns curling In spirals around his
ears.
The young farmer held Willie's basket
In one hand, and making q brawny fist OF
the othor, struck ont towaId d the ram, offer
ing him battle. The buck at once brought
his head down In linS OF attack, squared
himself for big butt, and came on with a
little run, and charge, that, In an artistic
point OF view, was quite beautiful. The
farmer stepping aside caught him by his
horns as he came, and that magnificent
charge was his last.
There was bloOd-thirsty feeling pervad-
ing the crowd, undoubtedly, bat Buck had
fair trial. There on his white, bold face
and horns, were the bright carmine dops
| OF fresh blood. No other witnesses were
needed. In a moment q glittering keen
knife flashed from somebody's keeping in
to the bright sunshine. and In a moment
more purple stream dyed the white wool
around Bucks throat, aud there was a red
pool upon the grass and little later, as
Dan remarked, "some tough mutton"
The excitement abAted for the mystery
was cleared up, and justice had It's due.
Kind-hearted Joe who superintendent the
Sabbath school aud led the religious ele-
nent of the neishborhood, stepped forward
and said TO the crowd:
"Well, boys, lie all right here, and no
suspicion, and no need Of any ceremony
| let us take him home"
And then Joe took Willie In his arms,
and held him closely, with the little face
against his own, as If he were still living,
and started for the cottage. Some of the
people followed, In picturesque process
sion, through the pasture lot aud down the
shore of the pond. When Walters house
was reached, a few OF the women west In
to soothe Mary; and Joe and the doctor
went in also, and the people clustered about
the door.
In the course Of an hour 1t seemed that
all had been done that could be done foI
Walter and Mary, and the people, except 4
few, who remained a. watchers aud help
ers, dispersed TO their homes.
The three days that followed were bright
sunny days. A strange stiffness and unus
ual hush reigned In the neighborhOod o
the cottage. The harsh, grating sound o
the saw mill was not heard as at othe
times, for the mill was stopped in tok en- o
respect for real sorrow ONLY the soffl,