The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-08-23

growing dark, and also that he was
dreadfully hungry. SO he turned his
steps homeward.
Before he reached the border of the
wood, it had grown really dark. When
ne came to the little stream which
separated the woods from a corn field
which belonged to Mr.. Carver. he hes
itated: for that gentleman objected
TO the boys trespassing upon his
ground,
So Hugh stood still, uncertain
whether 10 cross the little bridge that
spanned the stream or take the longer
way around through the woods to the
road
There was half-moon that night,
light. The sky was covered with
heavy, fast-hying clouds, and n high
wind was moaning dismally through
the trees behind him.
AS Hugh paused with one foot on
the bridge. the moon came from be.
hind cloud, and shone clear and
bright for moment; and Hugh saw.
on the other side of the stream, n 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.. Carver's corn
field toward wall.
"What n 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 it, however, the clouds again
covered the moon.
But he crept softly 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-
mcnt, whack! came a 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 ncxt in
stant it struck his upturned face, half
binding him.
Look OUT" cried Hugh, ongrily.
"You have no right to strike me.
Don't do it again!"
His antagonist made no reply. In
stead, he once more swung his arm
around in a very threatening and
energetic manner.
Before it could fall, Hugh sprang
away; but in doing so he stumbled
on the rough ground and fell back
ward. The gun he held slipped from
his grasp.
There was . sudden flash Of fire,
a sharp report, and heavy body fell
headong to the earth.
Sick with terror and trembling from
head to foot. Hugh struggled to his
feet again. He gave one hasty look
at the black silent heap on the
ground, snatched up his hat, which
had fallen from his head, and ran ON
He never knew how he reached
home; but as he opened the door, tn
sound OF cheerful voices coming from
the dining room seemed strange and
unnatural. In an agony of terror, he
ran quickly upstairs to his own little
room.
He found a match and lighted the
candle, which stood upon table near
the bed. Then he pulled off his hat
and threw It down.
AS the light fell upon the hat, he
gave n cry OF horror. 1t was not his;
it must have belonged TO the man
whose life he had taken!
Hugh turned II slowly around, a
cold chill creeping all over him rs he
noticed the small hole near the band.
Suddenly his eyes rested upon the lin
ing. He gave low cry, and the hat
fell from his shaking hand, for print
ed upon the somewhat soiled and
faded red silk was the name-"Rich-
ard Carver"
"Oh. what shall do? what shall
do?" moaned Hugh. Poor Mr.. Car
YER! Oh! oh! oh!!'
Presently the silence of the room
began to be unbearable, and he
thought:
Il can't stand this. I will go and
find father and tell him"
He crept down the stairs softly. The
house was very quiet now, but light
was shining from half-open door.
Hugh looked in, and saw his, mother
rocking backward and forward in n
low chair, singing softly to the baby
in her afnA 1AsgO - - - else
in the room
II couldnt TN ~ 1Wsa6sr where
father is?" thought Hugh, - - stole
toward the haN door.
Then he remembered 70 have heard
that Mr. Balm was going 20 can upon
some one in the village.
He ran swiftly along the road, so
occupied with his own dreadful
thoughts that he did not notice n boy
who was coming toward him. until
his arm was grasped, and Mark Grow
exclaimed:
"IIallo, Hugh! Where are you CO.
ing?"
"To the village" said Hugh. strug-
Cling to free himself