The Washington herald., 1911-09-10

had of course compelled Sam Futters to
60 with them, SO they had good proof OF
their work
Captain York listened with considero BILE
surprise, and while he did not fully exoner
ate the two from all blame in their treat
mcnt of the prisoner, when he recalled all the
indignites the boy had heaped upon all of
them, and OIL in particular, he felt that it
was perhaps u just retribution. Sam was
very humble now and ready to do anything
they said.
Upon questioning him in regard to the burn
ing OF MIR. Druell's barn, he declared that
the fire was set by Rufe Darke, who had
been advised to do it by Erastus Bush
"Bc careful what you say warned Abe,
producing Sans cap, which Little Queer had
left with him. At sight of this Sam turned
pale.
Il was there with Rufe," he admitted.
"He wanted me ter 20 ter keep him company.
We .crept up under the hedge, an soon's
] lost my cap, an didn't dare ter go back
arter it, l only looked on while Rufe light
cd wisp of hay with a match. 1t is honest
so Abe. l amt tellin, no lie now. !
know have been a nightly bad feller, but if
yer will let me I'll do right arter this"
"Who sunk our boat in Sunny River, Sam"
demanded Abe sternly
IL helped to do thet, Abe. Yer see, come
down from Thornley, in the night, an got
Rufc an four others ter help me. We took
out nough rocks in fiat bottom ter sink it.
] was mad, Abe-thet made me do it, cos
yer wouldn't take me inter yer club: But
I'm goin' ter do better, Abe, if yerll only
let me down easy. Yer will, Abe!' he beg
sam Flutters you have done enough to
send YOU to prison.
ooh, don't, Abe! I'll do right now, only
let me go this time. Won't YER?
81 will upon two conditions. In the hrst
nla ant 70 hpfnFn
club, and | want you to promise me never to
do anything of the kind again.
II do, Abe-honor bright, do. I'll go ter
school, too, IF yer say, so.'
Il wish you would.
Sam gladly consented to remain with them
until daylight, when the members of the
Pine Plumes were sent for and full explana-
tions were made.
To prove that Sam had made at least one
correct statement, it was found that Rufe
mistrusted his danger and fed. Though he
was never seen nor heard from, no one at
the Pinery mourned him.
When the school opened that morning,
Miss Mackay was both surprised and pleased
to find Sam there with dog-eared spelling
book in his hand 1t was all the book he
had, but others were given him, and he at
once applied himself to his studies with an
attention few equaled.
Abe was called out of the school about
amazed him by opening with
"By gum, Abe, yer hev got up a purity
good skewl-yes, yer hev. An'-ahem!-Ive
bin thinkin', seein' as Job has lost his barn
-ahem!--mebbe I'd better let him be Com
mittee. What dye Think"
II think, Mr.. Bush that you've acted
a very mean part; and know, sir that you
are likely to get punished for what you've
done"
Don't say a word, Abe-the Pinery didn't
mount ter a row O pine-needles afore yer
KEN. couldn't see it can now. BY
gum, I'm goin' in ter help yer build it up!
Mought yer be willin' for my chilun ter git
some O this eddication the rest air gittin' at
yer skewl?"
"Of course, we shall be glad to have them
come TO the school, and all Others"
Without replying to this, Mr.. Bush turned
sharply around and, blowing shrilly between
his fingers for moment, he was answered
by the appearance of six tow-headed boys and
girls emerging from a thicket by the road
side, where they had been concealed
ABE wants yer ter help fill up his skewl,
chillun, an git all the eddicaton yer ken,
fer eddication is a great thing nowadays.
Hope yer'll be mayor O the town some time,
Abe. I'll vote fer yer"
The school feud was over.