Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-07-19

Hugh filed up with sobs. "you can 60
to Judge Winter and give yourself up.
And I'll go with you. for fear you
might be tempted to run away, you
know"
Il tell you did not mean tor pro-
tested Hugh, wringing his hands.
"But will go with you to Judge
Winters if you think that is the right
thing to do"
"Of course do replied Mark, de-
cidedly.
The two boys hurried on toward the
village very silently. As they went
they met a number of people, to each
one of whom Mark officiously whisp-
cred:
Hugh Balm has shot Mr.. Carver
our teacher. He said he would this
morning. and We are going to tell Judge
Winter"
These people invariably turned. no
matter which way they had been go
ing. and accompanied the two boys.
So. by the time they reached Judge
Witney's residence, there was large,
Mortified crowd surrounding Hugh.
Mark knocked at the door, and, on
seeing the crowd and hearing the news,
the girl who had opened it flew back
and acquainted the judge with what
had occurred. He came out instantly,
and after asking where and how the
shooting had happened, and telling
Hugh to lead the way to the field. they
all started off toward the scene of the
crime.
Presently, Hugh felt his hand
grasped, and, glancing up, saw his
father. Even in the dim light he
looked white and troubled.
g Father, father" whispered Hugh,
'.you believe did not mean to shoot
poor Mr. Carver?''
His father silently pressed his hand,
and through all the rest of that dread
full journey kept close to him.
Hugh felt as though he were in q
dream, and that Mark Crow was the
blacklist of all the shadowy phantOms
in that dream. who kept repeating:
Yes, he did it-Hugh Balm did it!'
Hugh heard murmurs of pity from
tho men who were following as they
passed Mr.. Carver's little cottage.
Some one was playing the piano and
singing gay little song-his daughter
probably.
The tears started to his own eyes az
he thought what misery he had unin-
tentionally brought upon this happy
home.
On they went. Now there was but a
stone wall between him and that awful
sight. and Hugh's limbs trembled un-
der him at the thought of having to
face 1t.
He climbed over, however, the judge
and all the rest following him in pro-
found silence.
As Hugh pointed to dark, motion
less object on the ground, the judge
said, in a low. solemn voice: "Stand
back !! and, taking lantern from one
of the men, went carefully forward.
The crowd drew back and formed q
semicircle, and many removed their
hats and stood bareheaded under the
wan moonlight.
The judge bent forward and raised
the lantern. As he did so, the thick
bushes near the wan were parted, and
q familiar voice broke the silence:
Whats the matter? What are you
all doing here p"
The judge stepped backward. with
shout of laughter. The owner of
the voice scrambled over the wall.
At that moment the moon suddenly
peeped out bright and clear, and re-
vealed the form and features of Mr..
Carver himself!
Hugh sprang forward. as did all the
other spectators, with exclamati0ns of
amazement.
There, lying at his feet, Hugh saw
an absurd-looking object. dressed in
coat. trowsers and shoes, but with
head made of straw!
What have you been doing with
my scarecrOw?" said Mr.. Carver, in a
puzzled tone. And what does this
crowd mean?"
A loud burst of laughter drowned
the answer.
Judge Winter explained the mis-
take. Then there was another loud
laugh, in which every one Joined but
Hugh. who had passed too many
miserable moments to forget so
quickly.
He went up to Mr.. Carver, and.
Selling his hand. cried:
when the gun went of and It fell,
l thought / had killed some poor, old
tramp; but when I saw your hat, !
felt sure it was you-and. oh. am so
glad It was no one! And, Mfr. Carver,
will you please forgive me for my bad
conduct this afternoon?"
So. after all. Hugh apoligized pub
licly. though he had quite made up his
mind not to so.
The crowd dispersed, laughing, and,
for many days, Hugh Bain's murder