Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-02-05


damp and wrinkled. Mr.. Hacket came
to my room before had risen.
michael Henry would rather see
his clothes hanging on a good boy
than on nail in the closet" said he.
"Sure they give no comfort to the
nail at ALL"
Il guess mine are dry now," I an
swered.
They're wet and heavy, boy. No
son O. Baldur could keep light heart
In them. Sure ye'd be as much out
O. place as sunbeam in cave o.
bats. II ye care not for your own
comfort think o. the poor lad in the
green chair. He's that proud and
pleased to see them on We 1t would be
shame to reject his offer. Sure, II
they were dry yer own garments
would be good enough, God knows,
but Michael Henry loves the look o
ye in these toys, and then the presi.
dent is in town."
That evening he discovered big
stain, black as ink, on my coat and
trousers. Mr.. Hacket expressed the
opinion that it might have come from
the umbrella, but I am quite sure that
be had spotted them to save me from
the last homemade suit ever wore,
save In rough work, and keep Michael
Henry's on my back. In any event I
wore them no more save at chore time.
Sally came and went, with the Wills
boy, and gave no heed to me. In her
eyes / had no more substance than
q ghost, 1t seemed to me, although I
caught her, often, looking at me. I
Judged that her father had given her
q bad report Of US and had some re-
grets, in spite Of my knowledge that
we were right, although they related
mostly to Amos.
Next afternoon I saw Mr.. Wright
and the president walking back and
forth on the bridge as they talked
together. A number Of men stood in
front Of the blacksmith shop, by the
river shore. watching them, as I
passed, on my way to the mill on an
errand. The two statesmen were In
broadcloth and white linen and beaver
hats. They stopped as approached
them. "a,
"Well, partner, we shall be leaving
In an hour or So" said Mr., Wright %
he gave me his hand. "You may look
for me here soon after the close Of the
session. Take care Of yourself and 60
often to see Mrs. Wright and obey
your captain and remember me to your
aunt and uncle"
"See that you keep coming, my good
boy" said the president as he gave me
his hand. with playful reference. no
doubt, to Mr.. Wright's remark that !
was a coming man.
Bart. I've some wheat to be
thrashed in the barn on the back lot"
said the senator as was leaving
them. "You can do 1t Saturdays, II
you care to, at shilling an hour.
Stack the straw out Of doors until
you've finished, then put it back in the
bay. Winnow the wheat carefully and
sack it and bring 1t down to the gran.
airy and I'll settle with you when
return"
I remember that a number of men
who worked in Grimshaw's sawmill
were passing as he spoke.
Eyes, sir" l answered, much elated
by the prospect Of earning money.
The examination Of Amos was set
down for Monday and the people of
the village were stirred and shaken
by widest rumors regarding the evil
dence to be adduced. Every day men
and women stopped me in the street
to ask what knew of the murder. I
followed the advice Of Bishop Per.
kins and kept my knowledge to myself.
Saturday came, and when the chores
were done I went alone to the grain
barn in the back lot Of the senator's
farm with fail and measure and broom
and fork and shovel and sacks and my
luncheon, in pushcart, with all of
which Mrs. Wright had provided me.
It was a lonely place with woods
on three sides of the field and a ROAD
IN the other. I kept laying down
beds of wheat on the barn floor ana
beating them out with the fall until
the sun was well over the roof, when
I sat down to eat my luncheon. linen
I swept up the grain and winnowed
out the chaff and filled one Of my
sacks. That done. I covered the moor
again and the thump Of the fall easeo
my loneliness until in the middle OF
the afternoon two Of my schoolmates
came and asked me to 60 swimming
with them. The river was not forty
rods away and good trail led to the
swimming hole. 1t was warm. bright
day and I was hot and thirsty. Inc
thought Of cool waters and frieno1y
companionship was too much for me.
I went with them and stayed WIN
them longer than I intended. l re.
member saying as I dressed that !
should have to work late and 60 with
out my supper in order to finish my
stint.
It was almost dark when was put
ting the last sack Of wheat into my
cart. in the gloomy barn and getting
ready to 60.
A rustling in the straw where !
stood stopped me suddenly. I heard
stealthy footsteps in the darkness.
stood my ground and demanded:
'Who's there"
saw form approaching In the
gloom with feet as noiseless as CATS
/ took a step backward and, seeing
that n uvoS a woman SfOpDeu-
cts Kate" came In hoarse whis-