Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-02-26

u amps tpliEIFSdAtu bL 84nEfI u1AHAs
for warmth and shelter. Here ne
found shlvering over a can Of beer
two homeless wretches, whom he
arrested as suspicious characters.
After this official activity languished.
for the official mind could think q
nothing more to do.
With the scattering OF the crowd
on the square, shrimplin climbed into
his cart and drove off home The
smother Of wind-driven snow stiIl
enveloped the town. the very air
seemed charged with mystery and
horror. and before the little lamp
lighters eyes was ever the haunting
vision Of the murdered man.
He drove into the alley back Of
his house. unhitehed Bill and led him
into the barn His torch made the
gloom Of the place more terrifying
than utter darkness would have been.
Suppose the murderer should be hid
ing there! Mr. Ehrimplin's mind fas
tened on the hsy-mow as the most
likely place Of coneealment, and the
cold sweat ran from him in icy
streams; he could almost see the
murderers evil eyes fixed upon him
from the blackness above. But At
last Bill was striped of his harness,
and the little lamplighter. escaping
from the barn with its fancied ter
rors, hurried across his small back
yard to his kitchen door.
Welt" said Mrs. Shrimplin. as he
entered the room. Il was beginning.
to wonder if you'd ever think i
worth your while to come home
What's the bell been ringing for2y
asked Custer. Mrs. Shrimplin vas
seated by the table. which was lit
tered with her sewing: Custer oecsf-
pied his usual chair by the stove. and
it was evident that they knew Moth
ing Of the tragedy in which Mr..
shrimplin had played SO important,
and as he now felt so worthy part.
i suppose I've been out quite a
time. and / may say I've seen times,
toos 1 guess there amt no one n
the town filter 10 say they seen times
than just me-"
The light and comfort Of his own
pleasant kitchen had quite restored
Mr. Shrimplin.
Il may say 1 seen times." he re-
peated significantly. There's some-
thing doing in this here old town
after ALI l take back a heap OF the
hard things I've said about Il:
Teller can scare up a little excitement
if he knows where to look for It.
amt Dragging none. but guess yonA
hear my name mentioned guess
you'll even see it in print in the news
papers He warmed his cold hands
over the stove Throw in little
more coal. sonny: I'm half froze, but
] guess that's the worst anyone car
say OF mei''
You make much of it. whatever L
is. said Mrs. Shrimplin-
! Maybe ! do and maybe / don t. s
equivocated Mr. Shrimplin geniaiiy
Maybe you're not above telling
body what kept you out half the
night?' inquired his wife.
IF you done and seen what I've
did and saw, replied Mr.. shrimplin
impressively, you'd look for little
respect in your own home
I'D be a heap quicker telling about
it," said Mrs Shrimplin.
Mr.. shrimplin turned to Custer.
II guess you're thinking st was :
burglar; but. sonny. it wasn't M
burglar-so you got another guess
coming to YOU" he concluded benevo-
lently.
Il know cried Custer Someone's
been killed."
Exactly" said Mr.. shrimplin with
increasing benevolence. Someone has
been killed."
! "You done itr' cried Custer
7 found the party" admitted MIR.
shrimplin with calm dignity.
"oh" But perhaps Clusters first
emotion was on the whole one OF dis
appointment.
How YOU talk said Mrs. Shrimp
lin
II reckon I might say more, most
!. anvone would" retorted Mr.. Shrimp
lin quietly. 1T was old man Mcbride
someone's murdered him for his
money: I never seen the town 50 On
end over anything before, but who
ever wants to be well posteds got fa
come 10 me for the particulars. +
seen the old man before Colonel
Harrison seen him; I seen him
before Andy Gilmore sem him
seen him before the cor
ansr seen him. or the sheriff or any
one seen him. / was on the spot
ahead Of 'em all If anyone wants
~ know how he looked just after he
ives killed they got TO come to me 70
ana ont Colonel HARRISON can't tell
EN-. and Andy Gilmore can't tell ;en'
it's only me knows them parucu-
larsl"
The effect of this stirring declara-
tiou was quite all he had hoped for
( ont of the tail of his eye he saw that.
Mrs. shrirnplin was. as she after
ward freely confessed. taken aback.
AZ for Custer. he had forgotten his
disanpointment that death by vic
lance had occurred for which his
/ father was not directly responsible
ssDid YOU see the man that killed
ola Mr. McBride2T asked Custer.
! breaking the breathIess spell that was
upon him.
"No: if I'd been just about fifteen
| minutes sooner I'd have seen him:
hut was lust about that much too
late sonny. l guess he's whole LOT
better OF. though.
what would YOU have done Il
you'd seen him." Clusters voice sank
to a whisper.
"weI. / don't pack gun for noth-
ing If I'd seen him there he'd had
10 go round to the jail with me.
guess l could have coaxed him there;
! I was ready for to offer extra in
ducementsl"
and does everybody know you seen
ala NJ AlcRride the first Of any,