Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-01-29

Nathan laughed.
at isn't best to be too particular
he said.
stopped, and was upon the point
taking out the ramrod from my gun
order to put in powder and shot.
"What, isn't your gun loaded2" G
claimed Nathan, in surprise. "You'
queer hunter, anyhow! !"
What's the odds2" answered, wi
spirit. ~ guess there's time enough
load my gun"
"Look, there's game for you I" sa1
Nathan, laughing.
My eye followed the direction to whiC
he pointed, and, to my surprise, I 80
about fifteen rods from us, a lit
shriveled old woman in a thin, fade
dress and red hood. Her name WI
Lucy Robinson, and her eyes were fixe
scowlingly upon me. A few weeks b.
fore she had reported to Mr.. Lowe thu
I had broken her windows ono day du
ing recess Of school hours.
This was false. I had sometime
teased her by petty tricks; but ha
never in any WY injured her property
could not, however, show that the az
cusation was false, and was punished b
Mr.. Lowe for the supposed offense
Since then had felt very angry wit
old Lucy Robinson, and the idea of re
taliation at once occurred to me, and
determined to frighten her.
Without moments hesitation, pu
my gun to my shoulder and leveled it a
her.
"You told Mr.. Lowe wicked Ii,
about me, and I'll shoot you !" I cried
in loud voice.
Nathan, in the meantime, caught 1
glimpse OF woodchuck making for it,
hole. He had not yet finished charging
his gun after firing at the woodpecker
and believing mine to be unloaded, he
started to run but, in doing so. he
pushed me and jostled my arm, causing
a sudden pressure upon the trigger, anG
to my horror, the gun, still pointed al
Lucy Robinson, gave loud reportl
The old woman screamed and stagger.
ed, and blood appeared trickling from
her sleeve She stared moment, pale
and terror-stricken, and then, clasping q
hand over the wound, fed towards he1
home, moaning and crying with pain.
Nathan and I gazed after her retreat
ing figure, and then looked with horror
into each others eyes. "You hit her p
exclaimed Nathan. wildly.
II only meant to frighten her /
didn't mean to kill her l didn't know
my gun was loaded !" 1 gasped.
"You'll be arrested for this! You'll
have the sheriff after you! You'd better
clear out!' said Nathan, greatly
alarmed.
"Where can I go2" I asked, an icy
tremor running through me.
81 don't know; but you've hurt old
Lucy, and they'll think you meant to
kill her. If she dies, you II be tried for
murder, and maybe get hung. You're
in an awful fix, Jasper wouldn't stay
round here, anyhow"
Evidently Nathan was too much ex-
cited to be wise counselor, and as we
left the woods, tried to look the ca
lamity full in the face. still had enough
of my wits about me to know that if I
fled from suspicion, should only in
volve myself in greater difficulties, but I
was quite uncertain what course to pur-
sue.
For more than an hour we wandered
about over the fields and down the road.
1 dared not 60 home, and thousand
forebodings tortured me. As we were
going over the bridge, the Gathering of
hoofs was heard coming rapidly towards
us, and in another moment Sheriff Clapp
appeared. He leaped from his horse,
and laid his hand on my shoulder.
"Jasper Cooper, l arrest you," said
he, "for intent to kill Lucy Robinson.
Come with me.
The blood seemed to curdle in my
veins. 1 made no attempt at explana-
tion, but followed him in despairing
silence. Nathan walked by my side.
{" know where he is taking me to, I
said, in hoarse voice. "I'm on my
way to the lookup; and want you, Ma
than, to go to my house and tell Mar
garet Connor what has happened. Tell
her to keep it from mother, by ali
means, for it will make her worse; but
as soon as father gets back I want to see
him."
"I WILL" responded Nathan, dole
fully.
The "locllp" was temporary prison
in the basement OF large public build
ing. 1t had barred window, aud
strong iron door. Into this place I was
and as the key was turned,
and the shades of evening shut out the
day. all light and hope seemed to leave
me. 1 passed dreadful night of soli-
tude, suspense and forebodings.
Morning came at last. l knew that
my father was expected in the early
train, and that Nathan would at once in
form him of all that had happened, and
1 listened with strained ears for his foot
steps. But he did not come.
Early in the afternoon my prison door
was opened, and was conducted to Es-
quire Hammond's office. The room was
full, and my eyes first rested ON Lucy
waiting to accuse me. Her
arm was in sling, and her face was dark
and wrathful. Her evidence against me
was strong and conclusive, and visibly
affected her hearers.
Nathan was next questione l, and tes-
tilted stoutly to my innocence. He was
certain that supposed my gun was un-
loaded, for was just making prepara-
lions to load it when the woman appear
ed. And he repeated the words that
had passed between us about it before
Lucy came in sight.
DIR. Hall then produced the ball he
had extracted from the woman's arm,
and they said that it fitted my gun ex-
actly.
My turn came next. felt the terri
bic weight of the evidence against me.
[ had to meet the grave charge of intent
20 murder. well knew that Esquire
Hammond was not my friend. In my
earlier boyhood he once saw me on his
'ence picking few pears from his tree,
md had since then always regarded me
With suspicion. was indeed in a net
If difficulties; but the very distress of
he moment collected and strengthened
ny faculties, and gave me desperate
1uency of speech.
My defence in substance, of course,
vas that l had not thought of iniuring
Lucy Robinson. My gun was not load
I'd when I pointed it at her. Ihad been
punished once in consequence of her
alse accusation, and following momen-
tary impulse to tease, 1 had tried to
'righten her, and my gun went off only
when Nathan accidentally ran against
ne. / testified further that possessed