The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-17

the mark
lie was interrupted by a cry frOz
Hes gone." he walled. pointi,v 40.
hand toward the seat where I-alGSnroS
had been sitting
Was that the man?'' asked the iudeu
Yes, said Bobby, and he's Eotreot
mir Sheriff." said the Judge. ~ex
the head"
The sheriff disappeared. The eloehr
LICK IockSu awas hve minutes, then tea
4 lnally the door swung open.
y our Honor said the sheriff clear
~ across the courtroom. the man hzs
Mr.. Kincaid was released. Und4-
cover OF the congratulations the 6oyE
i don't see how you ever inquired A.
OUT cried Johnny FOR the dOzenth TIM
when they were back in Bobby's room
i knew il must have hit his head
unless II Just grazed his cap" sakd
Bobby. ana when 1 saw that scar
90. Gee; II was great" gloated JOhnHS.
papers tomorrow. You saved Mr. KIn-
caid's life. didn't you?"
i suppose I did" said Bobby com
At this moment the open hot-aIr reg
lister began TO speak, carrying up tina
subject under discussion was the cIoscE6
10 the boys hearts for the nomeuf IT,
drew near 10 listen.
IT'S MIR. Kincaid himseIf,' brezthe3
I've been trying to catch you al sAs
saying. but you walk like a sees4
engine"
u felt good" explained Mr.. Orde- Z
I, So, you were ls-,Ccc-sti silrse. Sc
~ 1ee.z-,6 looked dark" admitted ~
-1Afncald- where that youngster a.
yours2 lie sawed the day"
Il was just going 90 look for Riuz-
There're few points I'd like TO clear
up II Ae saw all that. why didn't hs
n he
Don't know. But he certainly spoke
to the point when he did get going
Look here, Orde, I'm proud OF that kt&-
want you to let me do something
he's old enough now 10 have a sure
enough gun, and 1 want you to let ~
give il 10 him. Stafford has a iittAe
shOtgun-SiNteon gauge-ever see oEeT-
Nothing smaller than twelve" Coz
Well. l told him to keep il for ma.
I'd like TO give Il to Bobby. He's learn
ed fast. and he's paid attention 10 what
small boys, but Bobby Is careful; he
doesn't make any breaks
! Johnny reached over 20 clasp BobSS
Now we can get partridgesT' n
sQuealed under his breath
But Bobby was Unexpectedly cola o.
this enthusiasm. He reached over to
close the register. At once the voices
were shut OF.
Bobby sighed deeply and went down.
stairs.
He opened the door and entered very
. quietly, so that neither occupant CO
the room saw him before he spoke
I heard what YOU said-thrOugh thu
register" he explained. but can't TAXI
why not. Bobby" asked Mr.. OrdeA
Il was the one who fired that Sh0e
that hit Mr.. Laughton's head. I did Il
a-purpose.'
II saw something brown In the brGSA.
and I was sure 1t was partridge, sol
shot at IL. I really didn't know IL WA
. looked
told me not to do that, lots OF tITaez
but I got all excited and forgot 50
YOU see I'm not careful. like you sak&-
I ought not 20 have any shotgun"
"Oh, Bobby" said Mr.. Kfncaid ~az8
that's one OF the most important things
''I know. sir" said Bobby; that's Wig
/ I thought I'd tell YOU"
The two men examined ~ youngstss
for some time in silence. very ten
der look lurked back in their eyes.
What. did you do then?" asked Mr.
u saw the cap fly up in the air. ara
/ ran"
{ Kincaid come out down below. ana K
( thought il was all right unth sOE
why did YOU jump up in court ,aE<
j 7 knew where 7 was standing. aR& Z
1 saw a scar on Laughton's head GEE
I then l knew If the holes in the cap vveRes
I low down he must have been the ma1-~
why Oiuu you ten All ms No.
fore?"
I'D never seen the cap: and 7 thouxnE
Mr.. kincaid had done IT, I wasn't going
TO give him away
Both men burst into laughter.
And YOU thought I'd Kill a mani" re-
preached Mr. KinCaid at last
I'D have done ito old Prftchardl'~
ma intained Bobby stOutly.
After a time Mr.. Kincaid returned ~
the first subject
There Is no doubt. RObby," sand ~.
that man careless enough to shoot El
anything without knowing what - ~
especially In a settled cOuntry-is E0S
ft to have a gun OF any kind. ThSrB
are plenty Of people killed every ySEE
through Just such carelessnesS. On
that ground you are quite right in Ezy--
ing that you do not deserve the ReE
shotgun"
yes, sir" said Bobby.
But you will never do anything In
that again. You have learned your Esz-
son. And you told the truth. That Is a
great thing. 1t IS easy to cover ap q
mistake, but very hard to show Il Wasa
you don't have to. I was a little g.
appointed that you forgot about SAaaa-
ing at things; but am more than pr1nE
that you remembered to be,a Sports
man. With your fathers permlsaSaa.
I'm going TO get you that shotgun, faaf
the same. Wen go down together -
h. vNnrAfmu anA