The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-08

prs1niy quarter OF . mile away. Nat
urally l started to run for the f1re and
ran hard all the way across the fields.
BY the time got there some men
from town had arrived and were rush.
ing around crafty. But they hadn't
got out the live stock. and there was no
chance now to save q hen. The Judge
drove up presently, and We all stood
around and stared at the fire. After q
time I began to think 1t was time for
me to move on II I was to get to any
place that night l slipped OF and
started up the road once more. I
hadn't gone far. however. before I was
overtaken by a buggy in which was
one Of the men who had been at the
fire.
where he yer goin'. van?" he asked
peremptorily.
Il don't know as I am called on to
tell you. SAM" answered back.
Eyes. you be-" he said more kindly.
IT guess you'n have to Jump right in
here anyways and ride back with me.
The judge wants to ask you . few
questions about this here nre."
II don't answer any Of the Judges
questions" l replied sharply enough.
not yet seeing what the man was aft
er. But he told me bluntly enough
that l was suspected Of setting fire to
the barn and drove ME back to the
town. where stayed in the sheriff
custody until my uncle came late that
night and bailed me out. Will was
with him. Father didn't want me to
come home. so Will let me under
stand. Neither he nor my uncle
that there might not be enough
evidence to convict me. Some one on
the creek road had seen me going past
the barn little time before the fire
was discovered. and that was the only
ground for suspecting me-
The next morning l got my uncle
(who wouldn't trust me out of his
sight to drive me over to the Rudge
place. He sat in the team while l
went up to the house and knocked. I
was feeling pretty desperate in my
mind, but If May would only believe
my story l shouldn't care about the
others. She would understand quick
enough why I never appeared at the
farm the day before. Old man Rudge
came to the door. and when he saw me
he drew back and asked me what my
business was.
II want to see May I said.
81 guess she don't want much to see
you"
81 must see her."
The sound Of our voices brought Mrs
Rudpo from the kitchen
Mother" old Ridge said, ivan
wants to see May"
"Well, Cyrus, it won't do any harm, I
guess"
When May came to the door. she
waited for me to speak.
81 want to tell you, May" I said
slowly. that didn't have any hand
in burning the Judges barn."
IL don't want to believe you did.
she said.
But you do. all the same!' I cried
sharply.
Every one says you did. van." she
answered doubtfully.
$50 you think l could do a mean
sneaky thing like that?" l replied hot
/ ~ anu uOucu Anu tuCu uOt
have sense enough to get out Of the
way! Well. l know what this means
You and Will have put your heads to
| gether. You're welcome to himv'
you've no reason to say such things
! Vanw she exclaimed.
There amt no use in you talking
with my girl. Harrington" put IL
/ Ridge. who had come back to the door
And don't want you coming here
any more"
How about that. MayY" I asked
| do you tell me to go?"
Her lips trem bled. and she looked a
me more kindly. Perhaps in another
moment she would have answered ant
not failed me. But. hot and heady as
/ was by nature and smarting from al
that had happened. I wanted a read!
answer. l would not plead for myself
$50 you won't take my word for itr
] said. turning away.
THE word of drunkard and q good
for-nothing"' the old man fred afte
me.
"Oh. father. DON'T" ] heard May SAL
Then perhaps she called my name. Blu
was at the gate and too proud to tur
back.
was discharged the next week. A
though there was nothing against m
except the fact that l had been see
about the barn previous to the fir
and the well known enmity betwee
me and the judge. it would have gon
hard with me had it not been for tn
fact that in the ruins Of the burne
barn they found the remains Of an oil
farm hand. who had probably wander
ed in there while drunk and set th
place on fire with his pipe.
When I was released my uncle sal
the folks were ready to have me bac
home. but without a word starte
north on the county road In the dire<
ton Of the great city.
49," said his honor when I had Or
ished my story in the dingy ehambe
Of the police court, you want me I
believe that you really had no hand
firing that barn any more than 20
took this lady's purse"
But he smiled to himself at his ow
penetration, I suppose. and when v
were back in the courtroom that dreat
ed sentence fell from his lips like
shot-"Odacer. the prisoner II dischari
ed-
| at l>1oxv- hn roe iouooon<ps <S,> vo,,v,