The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-08-13

SUI: bul nave IL cart uON YOU SItp OUT Vi
it, for you've gone too tar to prove your
innocence now
"'I'm not going to back out said Null
lett.
"Then help me bind Miggs to the GEN.
ter post. They'll be sure to find him to-
morrow, and by that time we will not care
how much he blabs.' | prayed Decker
not to tie me there over night it was
such a cruel, cruel thing, but he did it,
sir. Mullett insisted that | should not
stand, so he brought a box for me to sit
on, and then turned and looked out of the
hut while Decker tied me with the meas
uring rope. | was faint and dizzy, and
but for the rope under my arms should
nave fallen over. Mullett came up and
said:
"'Little MiggS. cal you forgive meE
"'YeS,'I said, / forgive you, Mullett.'
And that is all | remember. dear master,
until | awoke and found that you and
Crane We're come to release me-"
"BOys," said the master, II will con-
tinue the narrative. Last evening, just
before tea, | was sitting in my study, when
Crane entered, GREATNESS, with the aston
ishing announcement that he had discOv-
cred little Miggs bound fast in the birch
hut, and apparently dead. Ihastened to
the place, and as | looked in | feared that
Crane was right, and that little Migg> was
indeed dead. Upon examination, hOwev-
or fnI1pl ln hnI only tninfnI an1 nyan
as we worked at the rope he revived.
Without questioning L took him in my
arms and brought him up at once to the
study. He lay OF the lounge a long time
without speaking. Presently he said:
"'Master, there will bea IN attempt made
tonight to rob you. Please don't put
your purse under the pillow, and then
they will get nothing
"'Who will get nothing, little Miggs?"
"'Oh. sir, | cannot tell you tonight,
indeed -
He was interrupted by a rap at the
door. 1t was the h~Ousekeeper.
"'COme to my room, quick, sir; Decker
is very ILL.," she whispered.
Il found him on the sofa, his arms hang
ing liteleSsIy over the back, his hair dis
hevcled, his clothes in disorder. In truth,
| found him not sick but intoxicated.
Giving instructions that he should not be
removed until | returned, | left the room
and was met in the hall by Mullett, who
asked TO have a word with me.
"'Not now, Mullett,' | explained; Pm
very much occupied
"'lf you please, sir, | know all about it,
Decker, little Miggs, ana all; and if you'll
only let me, III confess every thing. |
can't go to bed; | can't sleep. Oh, sir.
I'm so miserable
"'COmc TO my study. Mullett,' | said
AS onencd yhe door he caught sight of
little Mi@gS. Springing to the lounge he
threw himself upon his knees and buried
his face in his hands, and | guessed much
of the truth at once. What | did not
know was told me between the SObS Ofthe
contrite boy. But the possibility OF such
4 crime in oUr midst was too imminent not
10 demand a severe and long to be remem-
bercu punishment. and this morning |
placed them both under arrest. Debauch-
cry, theft, perhaps worse, by two of the
most Influential boys in schoOl-c0uld i
do less than Ia maxi this an everlasting
.example:"
You can't, dear MASTER cried little
Migg~. " bat make it al example of for
g~ivcnc>s. It was through ME they are
condemned: lei them through me be par
dOned. Think OF the punishment OF this
exposure. Is it not ali evident? Mullett
saved my life, sir, and Decker was always
50 kind and gentle with me, and so he
would have been yesterday. only he was
not himself. Oh, sir. won't YOU let it
paSs"'
Oh, the effect Of these kind words from
little Miggs! At once there was a differ
ence in feeling among the boys. Looks of
wrath gave place to those Of pity and COM
passion, and he culprit> begged with
tears forgiveness and pardon. The master
was moved. He leaned his head upon his
hands in deep thought, thcn arose and
talked in 3 low voice with the constable,
who afterward left the room.
Boys, | have decided to hold a court
of my own. You shall be The jury, and
little Miggs here shall be Judge"
His face seemed to clear as though some
weighty matter We're lifted from his mind.
"COme, Mr.. Judge, proceed with you
charge; you have a bigger jury than ever
a magistrate presided over before"
Boys" said little Miggs, II don't ex-
actly know what a charge is, but | want
you al to say not guilty, and promise to
be good friends with Mullett and Decker,
just the same as before. The master said
/ would not do right to refuse to tell my
story, but please forget it all as | will, and