Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-26
NO. 254s
Gales aud Sketehes.
POINfE D'ALRNCOS-As STORY.


| tSonunueo from vesterday.) E tss
The next day the little Sabbath school
OF which Squire May had been the origi-
nator, and which held its meetings in the
log school house two miles away, met at
his house for celebration. 1t was PIES
ant sight, the children about table-cloth
spread upon the grass, on wich the food
was laid In picnic fashion. As soon as the
children were helped the Squire disap-
peared, an dwhile he was gone the report
OF pistol was heard. He returned in the
course of an hour to say that swing was
ready, and Gus Antoine remained some
time longer tossing the little ones into
the air lr.a -...f 49,.
On his way home, as his foot touched
the little bridge which he had built across
the Wild Cat for the con venlence of tho
two families, Gus's eye was caught by an
object in the ravine below. 1t was his
father. lying half in and half out Of the
water. with his face covered with blood.
| Quick as thought he swung himself down
to his side. There was deep, round, ter
rible hole in his forehead. from which the
| blood had flowed that formed this hideous
mask, and he was quite dead. The boy
| tried to lift him out Of the water, but hnd-
Ing that impossible, he washed away Av-
cry trace OF blood from the face-no one
| should see his father look like that--snd
then he went on toward home for help.
The Missourians had nearly all gone, but
Big Bill, cousin of Mrs. 1Antoine's had
remained after the election, and was inst
bidding her goodbye, and remained now
to render assistance.
The funeral followed soon after. As
Squire May was on his way to attend It
sheriff seized him by the shoulder. and
arrested him for the murder. Frightened
Hope ran with the news to her mother,
and even beneath this crushing blow the
heroic mother did not finch. 1t was her
arm that supported the hysterical widow
as they stood together at the brink OF the
terrible grave, and it was Gus Antoine
who comforted sobbing Hope. saying that
he knew her father had not killed his, and
| it would be so proven. When Mrs. Ano-
| tine heard of it she was no less positive a.
| to the Squire's innocence, and her tears
| fell like rain over her black bombazine
dress which she was making over for
Hope to wear at the trial. '''
How sitting hot the courtroom was,
packed to its utmost with an intensely ex-
cited audience. and still they came long
after Hope was certain that there was not
room for another one. She had never seen
SO many people before, and looking aroand
upon them from her seat in the upper part
OF the room. saw only q sea of heads. She
was conscious of but one individual face.
that of her father, pale. but calm in front
ofthe swaying mass. By and by the law
yers commenced talking. She felt faint;
| it all buzzed and hummed through her
head, she could not have told word that
they were saying. After what seemed
to her long while, the witnesses for the
prosecution were called, and Big Bill took
the stand. He related the quarrel between
the Colonel and Squire May at the polls,
| enlarging upon it and running on In q
way that showed him entirely too willing
witness. Then the widow Antoine was
sworn. She trembled violently, and moth
ing could be got from her except by ques-
tons.
"What time was 1t when your husband
left the house p' l efs
Twelve O'clock" came q frightened
gasp from behind the black veil.
How do you know it was twelve
O'Clock P'' l'tff
because dinner had just been placed
upon the table," ia
"Do you always have dinner exactly
at noon ?"
mo. but as he left the door heard the
whistle at Gatling's saw mill.'
why did he leave the house Just a.
dinner was readyP"
'He was angry because the boys were
not at home, and said he would 90 down
to the bridge and call them.r
That is sufficient said the attorney.
next calling Master Gus Antoine. Gus
came forward reluctantly, with an appeal
ing glance toward Hope, as though he
were asking her forgiveness beforehand
tor what he was about to say; then he
looked in the same way toward Squire
May, who answered his glance by an en-
couraging nod of the head.
Ibid you attend the picnic at the house
of the prisonerp"
Gus swallowed hard, pulled his Jacket
down strongly. and replied, '.Yss SIR"
"Was the prisoner with you throughout
the whole dayP" .tl.
mo, SIR" 9
SAT what time did he leave you P"
"At twelve O'clock" b'fusa-a
How do you know it was twelve
o'clockP"
II heard the whistle at Sam Gatling's".
"Did you hear anything else remsrka-
BILE soon after this and before the rsturn
of the prisonerr' aetg. taaax
The boys face famed scarlet and white
in streaks and patches, as fhough he had
been struck with whip Of thongs. but
he answered bravely. "Yes, sir, heard .
pistol shot" ai brow
"How do you know that it was not Q
shot from this carbine ?"
because know the noise that old car.
bine makes. Squire May has lent It to
me often TO hunt partridges.' Aba
"You may sit down." oassb af.6,y
Gus paid no attention to the lawyers
order, but leaning forward, eagerly ad-
dressed the judge and the jury :S"May IL
please your Honor, and yoo, gentlemen
of the jury" he said-Squire Nay smilsd.
He gets that from me-" he said to him
self. for they had talked often Of law and
legal terms on their geological trip.
What a fine lawyer he win make" he
thought-"and You. gsntlenen q tho
jury" Gus went on, II would Ike to
make few further remarks"
.If thsv have anythfup To d0 Win fncta