Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-20
The Stpru Teller.
A BOYS PRANK. .
BY E. B. HARDIN.

BY E. B. HARDIN.
Jim Stark had the reputation o
being the worst boy in Clarkville
though one would not think it tt
look at him. He was boy O
about Is years of age, tall ane
squarely built, with a large, well
shaped head and an intelligent face.
He was the only child of a pool
widow. He was employed by Smith
& Co.'S. dry goods firm, and hi'
small wages, added to what Mrs
Stark could earn with her needle
was all that kept the wolf of hun
ger from the door. Although some
peoples opinion was to the contrary
it was not for the want of proper
training on Mrs. Stark's part thai
caused Jim to be such bad boy
Those who were acquainted witt
the circumstances were in sympathy
with Mrs. Stark !; for they knew
that she did everything in her pow
er to keep him in the right road
but her efforts were of no avail.
Jim's way of doing was adding
more gray hairs to her head and
more wrinkles to her face every
day. She would often sit and talk
with him for hours at a time, try
ing to persuade him to lead better
life; but her pleadings bad only 6
temporary effect on him.
The event with which this mar
rative will have to do, occurred one
night about 10 o'clock, when jim
was on his way home from the store
It was a summer night. The moor
was up, and it would have been quite
light if the sky had not been overcast
by clouds which made objects along
the street dimly visible. A happy
thought struck Jim as he walked
slowly along toward home on the
night in question. "What fun it'll
be-" he said to himself, ''to cry ou'
as if l were being murdered, just
as I get in front of Old Kelly's house
Then I'll run and hide, and watct
him come tearing out to see what's
the matter"
Mr.. Bob Kelly was the chief police
of Clarkville, and Jim considered hin
bis worst enemy, as all bad boys dt
a policeman.
Jim was now in front of Mr.. Kelly:
dwelling, and stopping, he squalleo
as loud as he could: Murder! muir
der! help! help!" then started to
run.
"Good gracious! what is that ?" he
exclaimed as he stumbled over some
thing that lay stretched across the
road. Jim never stopped to see what
it was, for he heard Mr.. Kelly coming
out of the house, and he dashed of
down the street as fast as he could 60
"Halt! halt" cried Mr.. Kelly
springing out on the street and start
ing after Jim's fleeing form. Jim look
ed back and saw Mr.. Kelly in full
pursuit.
"Mercy," said Jim, che is about te
catch me. 1 must give him the dodge
And he darted around corner but
before he knew it he ran into the arms
of an assistant policeman.
"Stop, sir" said the policeman
"Who are you running from ?"
"Let me loose," painted Jim.
was -"
But by this time Mr.. Kelly came
dashing up, coatless and hatless.
"Well, it has come to this, has iti
1 have always said that the gallowE
would be your end, Jim."
"What has he committed murder?'
asked Mr.. Kelly's assistant. EYES,
replied Mr.. Kelly; "he murdered 8
man just in front of my house."
at is not so," Jim cried.
"Oh, of course we don't expect you
to confess your guilt" replied Mr.
Kelly, sternly.
"But I am not guilty." protested
Jim. II only followed to scare"
ut is useless for you to say more
for 1 know you are guilty, and car
prove it. John, you may take this boy
and lock him up"
II tell you 1 have done nothing te
be locked up for" cried Jim. "And
1 want you to turn me loose and lei
me go home to my mother"
"The least you say now will be the
best for you," said Mr.. Kelly. Then
to his assistant, "John, take him and
lock him up. Put him in the most Sc
cure CELL"
And the assistant policeman started
with Jim to the station house.
Jim had always looked upon Mr.
Kelly as the meanest man in Clark
vile, and now he thought him mean
er than ever.
He could not understand why Mr.
Kelly had arrested him and accused
him of murder. Then he thought
of the object he had stumbled over