The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-18
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howard suddenly faced the old man.
Il see" Howard muttered in what
was almost a groan. They are not
even going to give me personally
chance to work up. proof of my inno-
cence. I'll be wholly dependent on
my friends, and that hurts-that cuts
to the quick. But, above aIl-let me
say it now. Uncle A bner-I shall think
more Of your pain and my mothers
than all the rest put together
You won't suffer long, Abner gulp-
ed Me an Billy an Pole Baker will
turn the earth upside down, or find the
guilty man. All we want you to do is
10 be patient an trust us. Keep yore
soul pure an sweet under this calam-
ity''
There was a step on the stair below.
They are coningsA Howard said.
Yes. that's them Abner agreed.
The next minute Jef Dill, the sheriff.
a tall, thin man of middle age, and Jim
Tibbsss his deputy, young man, came
In. their faces set grimly. Dill let his
shrinking glance fail on Howard's
steady eyes.
81 reckon you know why we've come.
Howard" he began awkwardly-
Howard nodded Yes, I know
L
ft.T Dill went on, with averted eyes.
Nobody knows better n me an jim
here what a tough customer Fred Craig
vas. Eff you hadn't done it somebody
else would have been sure sooner or
later to-
'4Stopt'' Abner Jared up. .iThat's a
purity way fer an officer to talk. How
ard amt been found guilty yit, thank
Cod
I'm sorry Dill said, in no little con-
fusion. 1T is reported out in town
that Howard has admitted it to sew
eral an naturally Thought
Well he hain't admitted it to no-
body, Abner funedss ssHe's as inno-
cent of 1T as / am. You kin hear black
is white in town full O. tattIers like
worst they kin agfn anybody that's try
in to do right an rise above the CONF
mon level.
ssNever mind, Dill Howard put in
braveIy ut is natural for you to be-
lieve z did 1t, and no harm has been
done I'm ready to go with You.1
Dill fumb1ed a parcel wrapped in
brown paper and, tied with a piece of
twine.s As he unrolled it the links of a
steel chain clfnked and pair of new
handcuffs came into view.
AttWil1 that be necessary?'s Howard
asked, forcing a smile 81 don't intend
to try toto get away
I'm afraid it is, Howard the sher-
i6 returned.
"Oh, it's all right" Howard said
quickly. ct am no better than any
other prfscner.v And as he spoke he
extended his arms HeFwas wearing a
thin Office coat, and Dill glanced from
it to another hanging from a nail on
the wal.
IF you want to put on yore other
coat. he said, you'd better do it be
fore the cuffs are on You can't git
yore arms through the sleeves unless
II see Howard s eyes met Abner's.
THE old mans held a stare that was
too full of pain to be described.
do you happen to know If my moth
err is In town. Howard asked the siaer-
if
mo, she amt YETI was the reply;
hut somebody passed yore pa an her
on the road just now mile or so back,
am that Is why me an Tibbs decided to \
hurry. didn't think you'd like to let
her see you go through town like this
-You are right" Howard answered.
Abner remained in the office. AS the
clatter Of steps died away from the
stairs. and the fainter ones from the
sidewalk below, he sat down at his ta-
Bile and raised his hands to his dead
white face.
Lord God Almighty he prayed
Thou who ruIest the universe an TAX
eth account o. the Happenings on all
thy countless planets, as well as on
this tiny ball O. ourfn, give me faith,
strength an courage In this black hour.
fr1 ~ ) s
strength an show me the way TO right
this awful wrong agin that pore boy,
who shorely is yore child eff any
body Isl
Some one came in and, looking up.
Abner saw Lizzie Swayne putting her
hat on shelf above her desk. She
was sobbing softly.
The news rf Howard IinsIey's ar
rest spread rapidly through The town
and out into the country. Nothing else
was mentioned where persons would
zai1 each other on the roads or meet
face to face in the streets.
Some of Howardss social friends
were gathered in the old fashioned
town hall at rehearsal OF drama,
which was to be given in benefit of a
fund which was beiEg raised to i'm
prove the condition of the Confederate
soldiers graveyard, which, full of I'M
marked mounds, lay just outside the
town.
Cora ,Langham had agreed to take
part and with some of the other play
ers ss% In the auditorium when Frank
Raymond came in hurr9edly.
TT is all up with Howard he an
nounced- They've just taken him on
TO jail
Cora turned white and had sensa-
ton like that of fainting, but SO great
was the interest In what Raymond
was saying that no one noticed her
condition. That part of the cast who
were behind the cracked and married
scenery studying their lines left the
stage and gathered around Frank. lis