Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-22
pearance, as the old sa-.'r rocs."

Jest been a-sittin thar on tile f:''.cr
a-wondcrin whar you'd gone an wiiul
had come of you an If l was cvc1
a-gwine to git TO see you any l.orc- !
was jest a-gwine over them thoughts
when you moughty nigh skeercd the
life out Of me by speakin to me that
Away. Land, don't hardly seem like
1t can be you, SIM"
"Don't it?"
"Shore it don't. But whar you been
all these years?"
i've been to the war, Pap"
"Great day in the mornin! You
ain't been tightin into the army, have
you?"
eyes, I've done some fghtin."
but you wasn't killed, bless the
Lord"
"Not quite"
"He came next thing to 1t, though
Sims companion volunteered.
us that sop Pap cried. "Waal, I'll
be Switched! You come moughty nigh
gittin killedY"
Eyes, had pretty close call once"
"Great land! Tell me all bout 1t,
won't you, SimY'
Eyes. but first you must tell me
somethln, Pap. How is Loueesy?"
Lord, amt n great old fool, a-run-
MIN on here that Away, never a-think-
in bout what you'd naturally be jest
a-dyin to know? Loueesy's WELL"
"Where is she-up at the old placer
LA, no! She amt lived thar sence
you went away. She's down at town.
"What is she doin down there?
"She's workin In store to earn her
livin."
Sim was surprised.
'To earn her livinT he repeated.
Pap nodded his head.
"What's become of all the land left
herr" Sim asked.
ats thar jest as 1t was. She amt
never teched a foot of it"
"Why?"
"said 1t was your'n an she didn't de-
serve it."
Sim paused a moment, then said:
"An Melvin7"
"Lordr Pap exclaimed. Don't you
knowY
mo. 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
killed 1" Pap asked.
I ho H,n vi
from home sence l went away, an
don't know anything that has happen.
ed. Who killed him?
The man who came with Sim looked
quickly up and appeared to wait eager
ly for Pap's reply. 1t was then Pap
noticed for the first time how pale and
emaciated that man was.
"Who killed Melvin?" Sim repeated
presently.
II don't know" Pap answered. 1.-THE
next mornin after you left Jim Thorn
found the dead body In your woods
with bullet hole through 1t. He had
been killed several hours then"
"And nobody knows who done it,"
Pap shook his head.
twas NOBODY suspectedY
The old man turned away and began
to thump his cane against the ground,
but he made no reply. Sim saw that
Pap's action meant something, and he
began to put few things together. He
remembered that he had gone into
those woods with his gun about the
time the killing must have occurred
and then had disappeared. He remem-
bered also the threat he had made that
day in Mrs. Mann's wheatfield. 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
inlAlelvin?"
The old man hesitated still. but final
~ he replied:
"Thar mought "a been, Sim; yes. I'm
afeard thar nought a. been. But,
Sim. I amt never suspected nobody"
II know, Pap. But who did the 9TH
ers suspect?"
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 IL they've got ghost Of q
reason. lies 60 on homo. Sim. /
guess you must be tired IN hungry"
mo, Pap, not now. You must tell me
the truth"
"Oh, Lord, Sim, can't tell YOU no
more"
Yes. you can tell me who was sus-
pectcd."
I'D ruther not"
Then it's true. Pap. 1t is me?'
Pap remained silent.
"Tell me-" Sim insisted, us II me?"
"Im afeard SO. Sim: yes, I'm afeard
thars 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 IN
expression of bitter pain came over his
features. Pap saw and understood
and, placing his hand ON Sims shout.
der, said consolingly:
"But don't b'lieve 1t, Sim, an no.
body'll ever make me blieve 1t for q
minute II they sw'ar to 1t on a stack OF
Bibles-never."
The old mans act and words did Sim
good. It was great comfort to know
that he had ono true friend at least.
r know, Pap" he said, that cur
always trust you. You'll stand by me
to the last"
"That's what will, Sim, cause ]
know you're not guilty"
IAN thar's Others" Sim said
''Thars Sam Morgan an Jason Rob
erts. They'll never b'lieve me guilty
either. will they, PapY'
Pap was seriously troubled. and he
showedit.
"Sim." he said, az know you uns
must be tired an hungry. Les go or
home an talk afterwards"
MO-" Sim replied; II want to know
A