Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-02-24

we sat down in papa's study, and
Mary, that's the housemaid, brought
Us some dry toast and tea.
Then mamma rested onthe lounge
and got n book and tried not 10
think of James. Twas reading about
an Indian chief. The story was tell
ing how he looked, and pretty soon
came TO a curious word that | didn't
understand SO l asked mamma
What does zygomatic mean
why. Willie she said, 1 really
don't know How is it spelled
Then | spelt out the letters, z-y-s
o.m-at-i-c, and read the sentence TO
her-'The zygomAtic outlines OF his
face were decidedly abnormal
Mamma almost forgot how sorry
she was. and laughed when she said
L can't even guess what that word
does mean, Willie. You'd better look
in the dictionary.
Then your honor and gentlemen ol
the jury, went over to papa : desk
and opened the big old dictionary
that's hardly ever used. why
mamma. l told her, this is what 1t
.ays: "Zygomatic, relating to the
cheek bones And / couldn't help
laughing too, though was real sorry
all the time.
Then l began to look il there
were any more such funny words 10
the dictionary, and when | turned
back to place where SYM was at
the top of page | found thin let
ter with my papa's name on 1t. lMr'
Duncombe started violently and at
tempted to speak, but the Judge told
Willie 10 go on.
well, sir, and gentlemen OF the
Jury, the letter had been cut open on
one edge, and | handed 1t TO mamma
The very minute she saw the post
mark she jumped up just rs quick as
and put her fingers into
the envelope, and pulled out that
dollar bill. Tremendous
sensation. Then she dropped right
down on her knees and said ever 50
many times, oh, thank God thank
God
when she got up she hugSed and
kissed me good deal. and we both
cried with JOY. Then she told me TO
pull the bell cord, aud jerked it real
hard. Mary came running in
guess she was frightened-and mamma
said:
"Oh, Mary, that poor boy is inno'
cent. We've found the money! My
dear absent minded husband had
put il in that old dictionary and for
gotten all about il. Run quick and
tell John to bring the carriage round
to take Willie TO the court. The cars
are too slow.
in five minutes the horses were at
the door. The streets weren't much
crowded and John ran them all the
way-and the money and me is here
the boy concluded with a yell OF
triumph, forgetting his grammar for
once.
By this time there was hardly adry
eve in court, and even the Old Judg"
was visibly affected, as he said, with
official gravity: Gentlemen OF the
Jury, you may reconsider your yer
dict
Not guilty. roared the twelve
men in unison. and all the officers In
Christendom could not then have re
pressed the mighty storm Of applause
which broke in one simultaneous
shout from every part OF the great
room.
The Judge had not the heart to in
terfere for some minutes Then he
called for order. and, addressing the
whilom prisoner, said: james lngIis'
Won are discharged from custody
with. I need hardly say, not stain
upon YOUR character. Court is ad
journed.
There followed then a scene seldom
witnessed in the stern halls OF justice.
Judge. jury and spectators fiocked
around Mrs Inglis aud her son As,
locked In each Others arms, they
wept out their joy. and IL some OF the
kisses, which the more impulsive
among the ladies intended for the
mother, accidentally fell upon the
bappy face Of the boy, it was doubt
less owing to the wild confusion Of
the moment.
AS for Willie Dunsombe, IL Cupid
himself had appeared in bodily form
the rosy god could not have been
more petted and caressed than was
he.
1t Is needless 10 tell how amply Mr.
Duncoube atoned for his sad mistake.
Suffice it TO say that the poor widow
and her son had reason 10 bless his
absent mindeduess, resulting, as IL
did. in their own permanent prosper
ity. Webster Unabridged was pro
yided with a gorgeous new binding
and henceforth occupied the place OF
honor In the household library. aud
Willie priced the old book next to the
tiny gold watch given him by his
father as a memorial Of his lucky
find
The length OF the year Is strietiy