Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-06-21

Winters residence, there was q large,
Mortified crowd surrounding Hugh.
Mark knocked at the door, and, ON
seeing the crowd and hearing the
news, the girl who had opened it few
back and acquainted the judge with
what had occurred.
He came out instantly, and after
asking where and how the shooting
| had happened, and telling Hugh to
lead the way to the field, they all
started off toward the scene of the
crime.
Presently, Hugh felt his hand
grasped, and, glancing up, saw his
father. Even in the dim light he
looked white and troubled.
Father, father" whispered Hugh,
poor Mr.. Carver?'
His father silently pressed his hand,
and through all the rest of that dread
full journey kept close to him.
Hugh felt as though he were in &
dream, and that Mark Crow was the
blacklist of all the shadowy phantoms
in that dream, and kept repeating:
Eyes, he did it-Hugh Balm did It'll"
Hugh heard murmurs of pity from
the men who were following as they
passed Mr.. Carver's little cottage.
Some one was playing the piano and
singing a gay little song-his daugh-
ter, probably.
The tears started to his own eyes
as he thought what misery he had I'M
Intentionally brought upon this happy
home.
On they went. Now there was but
stone wall between him and that
awful sight. and Hugh's limbs trem-
bled under him al the thought of hav.
ing to face it.
He climbed over, however, the judge
and all the rest following him in pro
found silence.
AS Hugh pointed to a dark. motion
less object on the ground, the judge
said. in low, solemn voice: ''Stand
back!" and taking lantern from one
of the men, went carefully forward.
The crowd drew back and formed a
semicircle. and many removed their
hats and stood bareheaded under the
wan moonlight.
The Judge !.cnt forward and raised
the lantern AS he did so, the thick
bushes near the wall were parted, and
a familiar voice broke the silence:
whats the matter? What are yor
all doing here?"
The judge stepped back, with g
shout of laughter. The owner of the
voice scrambled over the wall.
At that moment, the moon sudden
ly peeped out bright and clear, and re-
vealed the form and features of Mr..
Carver himself!
Hugh sprang forward, as did all the
other spectators, with EXPLANATIONS
of amazement.
There. lying at his feet, Hugh saw
an absurd-looking object, dressed in
coat. trousers and shoes, but with
head made of straw!
What have you been doing with my
scarecrow?" said Mr.. Carver, in a
puzzled tone. "And what does this
crowd mean?"
A loud burst of laughter drowned
the answer.
Judge Winter explained the mistake
Then there was another loud laugh,
in which everyone joined but Hugh,
who had passed too many miserable
moments to forget so quickly.
He went up to Mr.. Carver, and, seiz-
ing his hand, cried:
when the gun went off and it fell,
L thought l had killed some poor old
tramp; but when / saw your hat, ]
felt sure it was you-and, oh, l am
so glad it was no one! And, Mr.. Car
yer, will you please forgive me for my
conduct this afternoon?'
So, after all, Hugh apologized pub
.licly, though he had quite made up his
mind not to do so.
The crowd dispersed, laughing, and
for many days Hugh Bain's murder
was a standing joke in the village.
But it was a long time before Hugh
could hear it mentioned without liv
ing over again the misery of that even
ing-Golden DAYS