The San Francisco call., 1910-05-15

Promptly at 10 o'clock the next morn
ing Mr.. Eagle strobe down the aisle
to his seat, through people that jammed
the courthouse Mr.. Lark was there,
but with a sickly look, while Mr.. Spar
row sat opposite him, smiling and
pleased with the world as a whole.
He had a nod and a good word to
every one, and as Judge Eagle came
down the aisle he leaned forward, and,
calling him, said:
How were those worms, judge?
"Eh-h! oh! say, they were great!
Where did-but wait until afterward,
replied the Judge He lost no time in
getting proceedings started.
''Mr. Sparrow, you are accused of
the murder of Mr.. Whippoorwill, one of
our best citizens. You are accused
of running away and getting me and
my policemen out of the village on
chase after boys in order that the
crime might not be discovered But
Mr.. Lark claims that he was present,
although unseen by you. and that he
saw all that went on. xbNow, have you
anything to say? Can you furnish. an
alibi?"
Judge, I can. and what's more I'll
account for every minute. But viii you
kindly allow Mr.. Lark to testify first,
Judge?' asked Sparrow.
sMr Lark to the - said the Judge.
well, Judge. I was enjoying the fine
weather and-ahem-was standing
outside of my door, when suddenly Mr.
Sparrow came to Old Man Whips"
Speak reverently of the dead. Lark,
or it'll be the worse for you hotly
exclaimed Judge Eagle
"And Sparrow stopped and, after ar
guing over something-ahem.-g
Mr.. Whippoorwill a blow on the face
with his wing"
(Which wing?" asked the judge.
an
know. Judge, but it's a trifling matter.
Well. anyway Sparrow flew off. but
laughed loud enough for him to hear
me so as to let him know one person
saw his deed" exclaimed Lark, finish
ing with bravado air.
Judge, I'll tell my story now. When
left Miss Canary's place I kept going
until / came to the station. rock
started after me, but missed me, and
I thought it went very near Mr.. Whip
poorwill Just at the same time heard
Lark laughing. Say, Lark, what time
was 1t you saw me?" asked Mr.. Spar
row.
"well. about 10 o'clock" answered
Lark
"Ah-h! Judge. what time did
reach court?" asked Sparrow, triumph
antly.
"You reached here at 1915, and
Hold! Judge, l am here as the star
Witness" suddenly exclaimed Mr.. Owl,
the time keeper, who had just come in
Lark. how is 1t you few to those pine
trees when these boys began stoning?"
"Er- -er-oh. yes, l think / did fly up
there. but"
Never mind. How is it, then, that
you saw Sparrow from there? What?
Now, Lark, from the pine tree to Whip
poorwilPs Is one block and / was half
block nearer than you. / saw all that
happened. l couldn't help Mr., Whip
poorwill because of danger to my life,
and later my duties called me. So, you
see. l have got you in a nice place"
ended Mr.. OWL
$50, Mr.. Lark" roared the Judge, "is
that what you have been handing us?
What? Very well, sir You go to the
Fir tree for five years. Do you hear?"
Judge. forgive me! l didn't"
"Stop, you crow! Away with him.
exclaimed the Judge.
few moments later the jury
brought i'm the verdict: "Whippoorwill
killed by the rock sent after Spar
row"
Mr.. Sparrow and family live up in
Redwood grove which is a very beauti-
fun suburb of Birdvile. He is the
president OF the banks private secre-
tary and commands q high salary.
Birdyille is no longer village. but has
been raised TO the distinction OF being
a town
Lark is stin resting (by force) in
the Fir tree.