Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-06-21
HUGH BAIN'S CRIME
Ey Julia z. HiIdreth.
HuEIS tyrant! That's what he is
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

"a tyrant; and | would like t.
serve him as other tyrants have beer
served before!" cried Hugh Balm. shak
ing his fist at the schoolhouse door.
What's the matter, Hugh?" asked
a boy, standing near.
Why" cried Hugh, in an excited
voice, II asked him if l could stay al
home this afternoon and he said: M
decidedly, MOI
Just like him!" cried several of the
boys in chorus.
Il hate him." said Hugh. ''Id like
Hush" whispered Mark Grow
warning!y. mfr. Carver will heal
YOU"
Il don't care" replied Hugh, with g
scowl.
Where were you going?" inquired
Mark, curiously.
Uncle Milton and ever SO many
young men are going out to shoot a
couple of foxes that have been steal
ing our geese and chickens" replied
Hugh. Uncle Milton said if 1 could
get off, / might go with them"
Here Hugh broke off, and, with a
very savage glance at the door, NUT
tered:
Il wish you were the fox and had
the shooting of you"
Hush" whispered Mark Crow
again. ''Youknow that YOU don't mean
that"
Yes, 1 do said Hugh. defiantly.
"He is a tyrant and hate him."
The boys were standing about the
schoolhouse after noon recess. waiting
for a signal to enter.
The bell sounded just then, and
Hugh took his place in a very bad
humor. He was so sulky and stubborn
that at last Mr.. Carver became impa-
tient, and Indignantly ordered him to
apologize at once or leave the school
until he thought fit to do so.
Hugh, without word. seized his hat
and rushed from the room.
But when he stood outside of the
schoolhouse. his anger cooled az he re-
membered it would be impossible to
keep this disgrace from his parents.
Hugh was in no hurry to go home
now. and so, when he came within
sight of the house. he turned into a
little by-path which led to the woods.
AS he walked slowly along, picking
up the dead leaves in his path absent
~, he caught sight of pair of sharp
eyes. watching him from behind a
large stump. and the next moment
a gray fox bounded across the road,
and was lost to sight among the
bushes.
At the same time Hugh heard the
barking of dogs and the shouting of
men, and his Uncle Milton, followed
by half dozen of his friends, came
running toward him.
(which way?" cried Uncle Milton,
too much excited to be surprised by
Hugh's appearance. Did you see
him? Which way did he go?'
Hugh pointed in the direction the
fox had taken, and away they all
went, helter-skelter, pell-mell, dogs
and men. and Hugh followed.
At short distance from the path,
and surrounded by fringe of tall
bushes, the party came upon the wall
of a deep ravine.
Over this Uncle Milton threw him
self without a moments pause, and
with no other support than the
punches of dry grass and weeds grow
ing among the rocks, made his way
rapidly downward to the gully below,
and went scrambling up the other
side. All followed. But one unfortu-
nate young fellow stumbled and lost
his footing, and Hugh saw him roll
to the bed of the ravine, and lie among
the stones, motionless.
Hugh hurried back to ascertain if
he were very much hurt, and found
him sitting up, rubbing his arm, rue
fully.
"Are you injured?" asked Hugh,
helping him to arise.
MY arm is either sprained or
broken" replied he. Then, pointing
TO the fownng-piece on the ground,
he added: THAT belongs to your
uncle. If you will give it to him, I'll
go home. I have had enough of fox
hunting for one day."
As Hugh slung the weapon over his
shoulder. feeling pleased and impor-
isn't. the young man stalked moodily
away. holding his injured arm.
Now" said Hugh, as he hurried
after the hunting party, ''if the fox
shows himself again, he won't get off
quite as easily as he aid before"
He went out of his way quite often,
to follow some imaginary skulking
animal among the bushes, and when
at last he determined to follow the
others, all sounds had ceased.
Then he discovered that it was
growing dark, and also that he was
dreadfully hungry, so he turned his
ateps homeward.