Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-08-13
,ould neither die nor 60 away until l

IL VIII pe IlluTucI~coiu piooucu
MURDER" replied the colonel as he fold
ed his arms.
"If it was murder hundred times
over, Id do it. DO you suppose ! can
forget Rose Harper? Who separated
MS? Who malgned me? Who wrecked
my life and sent her to a suicides
grave? Who drove me to be fugitive
from justice on false charge? Id kill
you If 900 men surrounded me-"
The colonel was silent for time. He
did not look at his boy, but past him.
The boys eyes were fastened on his
face, however. and chill crept over
him as he noted the look of n man
standing in the shadow of death. 1t
was the first time he had ever seen ii.
He turned from his father after awhile
to look at the robber.
There was another look strange to
him. 1t was set determination to kill
the look of man who had hated and
thirsted and waited.
"l'ake the boy away first" said the
colonel with IA touch of entreaty in his
voice.
"Ycs; That will be proper" answered
Pclton. Come, Jimmy, let's take
walk"
"What-what you going to do with
father" whispered the boy as he walk
ed slowly over and put his hand in that
Of the would be murderer.
"Never mind. Do you see that big
rock up there? Well, go up there and
see what is hidden behind it. Shake
hands with your father before you 60"
The boy crossed over to his father in
a puzzled way, and the father lifted
him up and kissed him. When he put
him down, he said to him:
run along, Jimmy. If you don't find
NE when you come back, Mr.. Pelton
will take care of you"
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care Of
me and see that l get home" replied
the lad. "I'm awfully glad to see him.
Wasn't it queer to meet him way off
here? l was saying only a week ago
that wishd he was back with us so
| that he could mend my wagon and help
me make kites. Mr.. Pelton was al
ways good to me. l won't be gone
| long, and you and Mr.. Pelton must be
good friends. Don't you remember that
mother said she was sorry for him? We
want him back don't WEI"
Little jim started off for the rock,
| but he hadn't taken ten steps before he
was back again to say to the robber:
"And want you to make me new
water wheel, and the handle has come
out of the hammer, and nobody will
sharpen my knife for me. If you don't
come back, | don't know what l shall
do"
perhaps I'll come back" whispered
Pelton as he turned his head away.
"Oh, but you surely must. I've heard
lots of people say you were good man
| and shouldn't have gone away. Moth
err told me If | ever met you / might
speak to you just as used to. I'm GO
ing now. but remember that you are
coming back
The boy went away almost gleefully
and the two men heard his footsteps
and his voice as he made his way to-
ward the rock. The father looked after
him until he was hidden by the trees
and then turned to the robber and
quietly said:
help lin to get homer?
"Yes; before he comes back" replied
Pelton az he drew his revolver. I'll
won't be murder, Colonel Weston. It'll
simply be retribution. Do you want a
minute or two to ask God to forgive
you"
The colonel sat erect with folded
arms. He closed his eyes, and his lips
moved. BY and by he heard the click
of the pistol. He did not open his eyes
but he felt that 1t was leveled at his
heart and that his life was measured
by seconds. OF sudden came cal
from little Jim. Half way to the rocl
he had turned about to shout:
"Oh, Mr.. Pelton, don't forget to think
up some new Indian and bear stories t.
tell me. Nobody has told me a story
since you Went away"
The colonel's eyes opened. The re
volver was lying on the ground, ant
| IcltOn llau MS HdnuS over HIS lace
When he dropped them, there were
tears in his eyes. He rose up, put thu
pistol in his pocket and said to the MAJ
waiting for death:
Il can't do it. Little Jim woult
know it some day. When he comes
back, take him and go down to thu
road. It's only three miles to Cedar
Vile"
With that he walked off into TIN
brush and was out of sight in mo
ment. When little Jim returned, HI
found his father sitting as he had lief
him and gazing into the woods.
What is it, father?" he asked
"What's the matter with you ant
where is Mr.. Pelton?"
The man rose up slowly, took hi
boys hand in his, and without a wore
in answer he led the way down to TIL
stage trail and safety.-Butte Miner.
The Dry Battery.