Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-07-12

wood, 1t had grown really dark When
he came to the little stream which
separated the woods from a corn-field
which belonged to Mr.. Carver, he hest
tated; for that gentleman objected to
the boys trespassing upon his ground.
so Hugh stood still, uncertain whether
to cross the little bridge that SPAWNED
the stream or take the longer way
around through the woods to the road.
There was half-moon that night,
but it gave only fitful and uncertain
light. The sky was covered with
heavy, fast-fying clouds. and a high
wind was flying disInally through the
trees behind him.. AS Hugh paused
with one foot on the bridge, the moon
came from behind cloud, and shone
clear and bright for d moment; and
Hugh saw on the other side of the
stream, fox, the same probably that
Uncle Milton had been chasing all that
afternoon. He was gone In second,
but Hugh caught a flying glimpse of
his brush as he bounded over Mr.. Car
ver's corn-feld toward wall,
:" What glorious thing it would
be, thought Hugh, "to be the one to
carry home the fox, after all!'
He darted across the bridge and on
toward the wall. just before he reached
| 1t, however, the clouds again covered
the moon. But he crept safely along
by the wall, and presently he heard a
slight rustling among the bushes close
to him. Hugh softly raised his weapon
to his shoulder, and at the same mo-
ment, whack! came blow upon the
top of his head. The boy looked up in
amazement and saw in the dim light
an arm extended above him, and the
next instant it struck his upturned
face, half binding him.
Look outr cried Hugh, angrily.
"You have no right to strike me.
Don't do 1t again.
His antagonist made no reply. In
stead, he once more swung his arm
around in very threatening and ener-
getic manner. Before it could fall,
Hugh sprang away; but in doing SO he
stumbled on the rough ground and fell
backward. The gun he held slipped
from his grasp. There was sudden
flash of fire, a sharp report, and a
heavy body fell headlong to the earth.
| Sick with terror and trembling from
head to foot, Hugh struggled to his feel
again. He gave one hastS look at the
black, silent heap On the ground
snatched up his hat, which had faller
from his head, and ran on. He never
knew how he reached home; but as he
opened the door, the sound of cheerful
voices coming from the dinlng-roon
seemed strange and unnatural. In at
agony OF terror, he ran Quickly up
stairs to his own little room. Hefount
a match and lighted the candle, which
stood upon a table near the bed. Ther
he pulled off his hat and threw i
down. AS the light fell upon the hat
he gave a cry of horror 1t was no
his; it must have belonged to the MAJ
whose life he had taken! Hugh turned
il slowly around, cold chill creeping
all over him as he noticed the small
hole near the band. Suddenly his eye
: rested upon the lining, He gave d Low
| cry. and the hat fell from his shakin.
hand, for printed upon the somewha
soiled and faded red silk was the name
'Richard Carver,
} "Oh, what shall | do? what shall
; doP' moaned Hugh. Poor MI
Carver! Oh! oh! oh!'
l Presently the silence of the room be
7 gan to be unbearable, and he thought
+ Il can't stand this. ] will go an
y find father, and tell him..
r He crept down the stairs softly. TIL
o house was very quiet now, but ligt
d was shining from a half-open dool
/. Hugh looked in, and saw his mothe
e rocking backward and forward in
e low chair, singing softly to the baby
o her arms. There was no one else
). the room.
g II couldn't tell her! wondt
n where father isp' thought Hugh, /;
a he stole toward the hall door. The
5. he remembered to have heard that M
p Balm was going to call upon some OF
Ie in the village He ran swiftly alon
5, the road, so occupied with his ow
% dreadful thoughts that he did not n
y tice boy who was coming towal
rs him, until his arm. was grasped, al
1t Mark Grow exclaimed:
& I" Halo, Hugh Where are yC
a, going?n
If ITO the village" said Hugh, stru
e Cling to free himself
q Isay. what is the matter?' crit
n, Mark, without releasing his arm.
" The unhappy boy broke down all
se once, and sobbed out:
"Oh OH oh! I've shot M
lie Carver!"
t, " Shot Mr.. Carver?" repeated Mar
a, shrinking from his friend in horro
- know you said you hated him, b
h, | never thought you meant to k
Ill him.
III "Of course, didn't mean to!n cri
lie Hugh. u fell, and-and the g
O. went off, and he tumbled down wit
D. out wordr'
Id You don't expect any one to
lie lieve that" said Mark, quick
ly "Why, as many as ten boys heard y
ne say you hated him, and would like
n do all kinds of things to him only Il
I'd morning. But if you are really sorry
m continued Mark, after pause, viii
lie Hugh filled up with sobs, you can
III to Judge Winter and give yourself l
re And I'll go with you, for fear y
no might be tempted to run away, v