The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-05-30
Sim paused q moment, then salG:
"An Melvin

know?"
"No. Did he an Loueesy"--
"No. He was killed the day you
left"
A queer expression came to Sims
face, an expression In which surprise
and relief were blended.
Didn't you know bout him bein
killedT Pap asked.
"NO. l have never heard word
from home sence l went away, an ]
don't know anything that has happen
ed. Who killed himT
The man who came with Sim looked
quickly up and appeared to walt eager
ly for Pap's reply. 1t was then Pap
noticed for the first time how pale and
emaclatcd that man was.
"Who killed Melviu7" Sim repeated
presently.
IL don't know" Pap answered. "Ihe
next mornin after you left Jim Thorn
found the dead body In your woods
with a bullet hole through 1T. He had
been killed several hours then"
"And nobody knows who done 1t"
Pap shook his head.
"Was nobody suspected"
The old man turned away and began
to thump his cane against the ground,
but he made no reply. Sim saw that
paD's action meant something, and he
began to put 4 few things together. lie
remembered that he had gone into
those woods with his gun about tho
time the killing must have occurred
and then had disappeared. He remem-
bcred also the threat he had made that
day in Mrs. Mann's wheatficld. Re-
calling these things and noting Pap's
behavior, he was quick enough to sus-
pect the truth. Pale, but firm, he said:
Pap, was anybody suspected Of kill
in MelvinW
The old man hesitated still, but final.
ly he replied:
"Thar mought "a been, Sim; yes, I'm
afeard thar mought "a been. But,
Sim, amt never suspected nobody"
81 know, Pap. But who did the 9th
ers suspectW
Again Sims companion leaned eager
ly forward and seemed to await Pap's
reply. After short pause the old man
said slowly:
"You know, Sim, thar's allus some
people ready to suspect anything bad
Of body If they've got ghost Of a
reason. lies go Oh home, Sim. /
guess you must be tired an hungry"
"No. Pap, not now. You must tell me
the truth"
ooh, Lord. Sim, I can't tell you no
more'
eyes, you can tell ne who was sus-
pected."
"Id ruther not"
"Then it's true. Pap. 1t Is me2"
Pap remained silent.
"Tell me-" Sim insisted. ''is 1t me7"
Pm afeard SO. Sim: yes, I'm ufcard
thar's some as thinks it was YOU. But
don't think It,"
Sim had known what was coming,
but Pap's admission was hard blow
for all that. His head dropped, and an
expression Of bitter pain came over his
features. Pap saw and understood
end, placing his hand on Sims shout
der. said consolingly:
but | don't b'licve it, Sim. an no.
bodyll ever make me blicvc it for a
minute If they sw'ar to it on IL stack Of
Biblcs--ncvcr."
The old mans act and wor,G did Sim
good. 1T was great comfort 70 know
that he had one true friend at least.
Il know, Pap he said, "that can
always trust you. You'll stand by me
to the last"
That's what will, Sim, cause I
know you're not guilty"
AN thar's othcrs,' Sim said.
Ihars Sam Morgan an Jason Rob
erts. They'll never b'licve me guilty
either. will they, pap?"
Pap was seriously troubled, and he
showed it.
"Sim," he said, II know you uns
must be tired an hungry. Les go on
home an talk afterwards"
NO." Sim replied; Il want to know
the truth, the whole bitter truth. So
sam an Jason b'lievc me guilty OF such
terrible crime as that?"
Il dunno" Pap answered. "They
don't want to blleve it, Sim. I know
they don't want to D'lieve It,"
"But they do" Sim said, with n sigh
OF resignation. "Waal, so be it. An
Louccsy"--
Pap raised his hand instantly. and q
>>"'-- W. P'SVouAC llS HIS IUCC.
mo, Sim," he interrupted, "don't you
say that. Loucesy don't b'lievc 1t an
never has b'lieved It. When she first
heard you accused, she said It was a
lie, an she's stuck to 1t from that day
to this.'
THANK God" Sim cried ferycntly.
"lf she don't b'leve 1t, l don't care
what anybody else thinks"
She don't, Sim. Pm tcllin YOU the
GODS truth. She don't. An now we've
SAID enough for this time, so les 70 on
home"
But Sim did not move, and he Ind
become deeply thoughtful. After a LIT.
tie he said:
Il don't know what I had best do.
This Is all so new an unexpected to
me that can't jest see my way clear.
lf stop here, I'll be arrested"
In his excitement Pap Sampson had
forgotten this, but he knew 1t was true.
lf Sims presence I'm the village became
known, he would certainly be arrested,
and then the gallows, or at least the
OF a 70 p,,,ip