The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-02-09

as he gave me without question the per-
mission I desired, I supposed he had no
doubt of its genuineness. Homo went,
jubilant enough ate hurried dinner ;
called my dog and with my new gun
on. my shoulder, started to find my
friend Nathan. He was expecting me
Chow did you get excused from
school| he earnestly inquired.
"Oh, easy enough. wrote a note
and signed fathers name to it, and it
took the master in completely"
You're sharp one," said Nathan
again.
We soon reached the woods. The
trees were just tinged with the gold and
purple Of autumn, and every now and
then bird or squirrel was seen hop
ping from branch to branch. Nathan
fred at blueiay, and though it did not
drop to the ground, as he confidently
expected, one of its tail feathers did,
which convinced him that he had almost
made ca good shot," His next was
better. He killed woodpecker, and
considered it quite an achievement.
"Why don't you let drive at some
thing2" said he. There are plenty Of
birds"
'I'm not going to shoot pretty birds
that do no harm," ] said, proudly.
"I'll kill partridges if I kill anything,
for they are good to eat, and such birds
as crows and henhawks, that do mis-
chief"
Nathan laughed.
"It isn't best to be too particular"
he said.
stopped, and was upon the point of
taking out the ramrod from my gun in
order to put in powder and shot.
What, isn't your gun loadedf" e1-
claimed Nathan, in surprise. "You're
queer hunter, anyhow!"
What's the odds 2" I answered, with
spirit. 81 guess there's time enough to
load my gum"
"Look, there's game for you I" said
Nathan, laughing.
My eye followed the direction to which
he pointed, and, to my surprise, saw
about fifteen rods from us, little
shriveled old woman in o thin, faded
dress and red hood. Her name was
Lucy Robinson, and her eyes were fixed
scowlingly upon me. A few weeks be-
fore she had reported to Mr.. Lowe that
l had broken her windows one day dur
ing q recess of school hours.
This was false. I had sometimes
teased her by petty tricks but had
never in any WY I'M ured her property.
l could not, however, show that the ac-
cusation was false, and was punished by
Mr.. Lowe for the supposed offenss.
Since then I had felt very angry with
old Lucy Robinson, and the idea of re-
taliation at once occurred to me, and I
determined to frighten her.
Without moments hesitation, I put
my gun to my shoulder and leveled it at
her.
You told Mr.. Lowe wicked lie
about me, and I'll shoot you !" I cried,
in loud voice.
Nathan, in the meantime, caught a
glimpse of woodchuck making for its
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 30. be
pushed me and jostled my arm, causing
a sudden pressure upon the trigger, and
to my horror, the gun, still pointed at
Lucy Robinson, gave loud reporti
The old woman screamed and stagger-
ed, and blood appeared trickling from
her sleeve! She stared moment, pale
and terror stricken, and then, clasping a
hand over the wound, fed towards her
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 -
exclaimed Nathan, wildly.
81 only meant to frighten her I
didn't mean to kill her I didn't know
my gun was loaded !" gasped.
"You'n be arrested for this You'll
have the sheriff after you'll You'd better
clear outi" said Nathan, greatly
alarmed.
Where can got" I asked, an 10y
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'll be tried for
murder, and maybe get hung. You're
in an awful fix, Jasper. wouldn't stay
round here, anyhowl"
Evidently Nathan was too much OK
cited to be wise counselor, and as we
left the woods, I tried to look the ca
lamity full in the face. still had enough
of my wits about me to know that if
fled from suspicion, should only in
volve myself in greater difficulties, but 1
was quite uncertain what course to pur-
sue.
For more than an hour we wandered
about over the fields and down the road.
L uareu noG go HOME, anu bnOuSand
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, arrest you," said
he, ." for intent to kill Lucy Robinson.
Come with me-"
The blood aaaroad tn orrdIa Is, ,,,x,
veins. 1 made no attempt at explana-
ton, but followed him in despairing
silence. Nathan walked by my side.
hr.,nx I. -. Ii -. l. Il