Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-07-20

II hate to-do IL. SIM"
know that's all you're dOiu now. I'm
not blamin Squire Beeson neither. for
he's not done anything be didn't have
to do. 1t looks like Jim Thorn is put
tin himself out q right smart. but MAY.
be he feels that he ought to. au any
how l amt hlamln him neither j:
amt blamin nobody"
WAL. I'm glad You feel that away
Sim. I'm shore. l don't like the way
Jim Thorn done, though. an I aia't
liked the way he's done from the fust.
He was the fust man TO accuse you OF
that crime"
But you all b'lieved it. Sam. all ex-
cept Pap Sampson an Loueesy."
Yes. but how could we help IL?
didn't want to. but you know how ev-
er'thing WAS ag'.n you. Then thar was
the threat you made that day over to
Mis'us Mann's wheatficId an the words
you said To me the last time see you"
Il know. Ever'thing's ag'in me. But.
Sam, If ] was TO sw'ar TO you that I'm
innocent would you blieve meg'
Il would. Sim. cause know you'd
never sw'ar to a lie"
Then | sw'ar to you that l never
killed James Melvin. May God help
met
"Sim Banks" Sam said. from this
minute l b'lieve you innocent. Thar's
my hand on that
Thank you" Sim replied. 1T do
me world Of good to hear you $
that. And now, Sam. I'm ready to go
"All right Wen go before Squh
Beeson an let him set the day for your
preliminary hearin. or VII you waive
that an wait for the gran fury to actT'
II dunno. Which will be best?"
We'll, IL you waive hearfn in the
squire's court you'll have to go to jal.
while IL you have a hearin you mouS,,t
git out on ball.
Then III have n hearin. an tho
quicker the better. But what you
reckon they'll do with me. S2n:"
Il can't say, Sim, but not much. |
hope
They had reached the door when Pan
Sampson came from another room and
called to Sam.
What is it, Papg" Sam asked.
It's about the man that come with
SIM" Pap replied. ''He wants Won to
send Squire Beeson an two other men
here"
What for?"
Il don't know. He jest says he
wants 'em, an, though he's so sick this
mornin that he can't set up, he says IL
you don't send 'em he'll go 20 the
squire's office even IL he has to crawl
ever foot OF the way on his hans an
knees"
Lord, I'll send 'em, OF course. But
can't make out what on earth he wants
OF 'em. Must want 'em putty partic'-
lar, too, to talk that away"
Seems so. You better send jason
Roberts an Jake Hicks, | guess"
"All right. Pap. I'll send EN-"
As Sam and Sim walked down the
street the former said:
WHO is that man that come with
you. SimT'
Hes a Teller l got to know In the
army" Sim replied. lie come thar
two or three weeks after me, an he
said his name was Thompson. That's
bout all l know bout him"
Don't you know whar he belongs
nor nothinw
NO he never would speak OF his
past life nor OF his home nor nothin."
"Humph! That's quaire, aint it?"
Yes, thought IL a little curious, but
lowed 1t wasn't any OF my business.
80 l never said anything to him bout
it,"
No, but it quaire. an so Is his want
In the squire an them meH. I can;
fgger 1t OUT
Sim showed but little interest. H.
was thinking of something else. III.
mind was on Louisa. the one chief sai-
1ect OF his thoughts during all the loag
four years of his absence. He Wy
wondering if he should see her axain
now that he was SO near. She had
never believed him guilty. That was
one great comfort. No matter what
his fate, that knowledge would cheer
him even If she held aloof from him in
his hour OF trouble.
At the squire's Office Sam remained
guarding his prisoner while the squire
and the others went to answer the
summons OF the stranger. Pap Samp-
son, finding himself not needed at
home, came down to be with Sim.
The news of the arrest having
spread, a number of people came to see
Sim, few OF them out Of sympathy,
but the Greater number opt OF mere GU
riosity. Jim Thorn and Mary Mann
were among the visitors.
Thorn did not say word to Sim, but
there was triumphant expression on
his face that showed he was highly
gratlfied at Sims arrest. he had new
er forgotten that blow Sim had given
him, and now, after four years. he was
getting his revenge and getting 1t in
full measure.