The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-18

placed tho pitcher Of water on tho stand
nnd"-
"But l didn't" protested Dolby.
Deed an double, I didn'tp'
And the pompous appearing officer
looked into tho Lads honest, troubled
fuco and felt that no told tho truth
"Miss Rossitcr," he began, "isn't it
possible'-
"No, sir!" interrupted that lady de-
cidcdly. '"That boy stole my ring, and
if he does not return it instantly he must
bo arrested" "
81 didn't, 'doed an doublc''-
Littlo Martha burst into howl of
fear y rough looking man was just
stepping III at tho open doorway.
"Dh. Mr.. Cash, you wont arrest
Dohhv?' cried the child. "Plcnso don tp'
" Rest Dobby?' snortcd tho ncwcom-
cr. "Waal, reckon not! Sortcr dropped
in to SEQ if you folks had nodiccd Injun
jim sncakin ycrabouts. Hc'-
care you an of1iccr?" questioned Miss
Rossitcr
eyes, mom-constablc. Namo Cash
Whatn-
ARREST that boy,' tho lady com.
mandcd, "hnlcss ho instantly returns
my diamond ring, which he has just stol-
cnr'
"Oh, don't arrest Dolby! Please
don't!' cried little Martha.
My boy would not STEAL" said Mrs.
Baxter bravcly. '.Dobby is good boy. u
Her chin quivercd rs sho spoke. Lit.
tie Martha was almost choking with
sObS, and Dolby was very close to the
crying point. The idea of being arrested
seemed very terrible to these honest
souls.
Tho Lieutenant looked several times
rs if on the point of speaking, but re-
Trained. Miss RoSsitcr was the guest of
his comm. anding officer and must not be
| offended.
"Mom,' began tho constable, 81
| don't reckon Dolby d.
"Will you or will you not arrest him?"
interrupted the lady impaticntly.
Il S'posc I'll haf to- admitted the
constable reluctantly, 'if you make q
complaint, but you'll haf to go before
Squire Ashburn. Bat don't Eclieve"-
'What you believe CT do not believe
has nothing to do with tho case. The
ring must bo returned at once, Or
II haven't got it," cried Dolby
"Thcn it must be paid for! 1t cost
my father $500, and'-
"Wc have no money! began poo,
Mrs. Baxter.
"Mr. Constable, do your dutyl These
pcople'-
| And then there WAS wailing in til,
| little weather. beaten house. Martha jus
simply howlcA, Mr.; Baxter broke down
and even Dolby snitfcd little.
"I'll !.af to do my duty, Dolby, " sait
tho constable. "But l don't belicv
you're guilty"
"Ncither do L." said tho straigh
backed lieutenant suddenly.
There was q fluttcring sound ut tn
door, and Lijcr, tho prophet, staggcre
in, looking ns if he had been very hare
ly used. Somo of his feathers were ou
and others looked as if thoy had bee
ruillud the wrong way. Ono win
dragged rs if broken, and AS no stat
gcrcd fccbly across tho room to Dobb
he left II few spots of blood OH tho foo
at tho boys feet he stopped, unable
hop into his lap, but he held up his bill
and in it glistoncd the lost damon
ring. AS DOLBY took tho jewel the propl
ct uttered feeble "whoor-hoor- h,
n-a!" of satisfaction and settled dow
on the floor completely exhausted
; My ring!' cried Miss Rossitc
"How"--
Skinny Jackson and )ittlo Joe Ride
. | Slid IN at the Opon door.
D 'Wo'vc hrung back tho lady's hoss,
G said the foremost "IIo's ticd out to tt
=. fence, an | reckon it's worth bout
halter dollar, bGin's wc'vo BON chasi
d hlm for tho last half hour. "
Y "Oh, you've got Lijcr!' said tho ot
h or aS soon as tho first speaker had CO.
t, cludrd "Wo told Injun Jim if he didn
II let the crow alone we'd toll Mr.. Gas
10 on him!'
y 'Whnt do you mcan:'
'Waal, while we was chasin tho ho
ID Sc SAW miun Jim sneak away fro
,r here an lhjcr tiyin along after him. I'll
# lnjun took to the gully in littlo Will
10 an we couldn't scA him, hut Lijer ko
~ tlyln along above as if follerin him.
tc The boy proceeded that, owing
N their attention being taken up with Il
w horse, they had forgotten tho crow fo,
~ few minutes. When they looked agai
p they SAW him fly out Of thickct al
J. alight in the top u' small tree. Th'
Of tho Indian appeared, and they saw hi
fire shot from his revolver at Lii
4. and saw tho prophet tumble from
~, perch and alight in tho big fork Of t
~ tree, high above the Indians hca
They shouted the threat to inform NJ
r. Cash, which seemed to frightcn tho
:, dian, for he plunged into tho gully a
,t disappeared. AS soon as they captur
o. the horse it was their intention to
with Dolby to tho rescue Of the cro'
~ Before tho story was dono Constat
~ Cash had rushed away in pursuit Of
jun Jim.
<. "Tho explanation is SIMPLE" said Il
# straight backed lieutenant. "Tho ha
breed, in snoaking toward tho gull
II approached the house and looked in
the window in hope that thero might
.. an opportunity to steal something al
discovered and took tho ring Tho Gro,
guided perhaps by subtle intelligenc
| ,,l g, Lx T,,l ,k>