The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1919-03-13


toward the schoolhouse yonder."
He went on with his work, and as
walked away understood that the
needle he referred to was my con-
science.
l went about my chores. There was
to be no more wavering In my con-
duct. AT the supper table Mr.. Hncket
kept us laughing with songs and jests
and stories. The boy John, having
been reproved for rapid eating, hurled
bis spuen upon the floor.
"Those In favor of his punishment
will please say aye? said the school
master.
remember that we had divided
house on that important question.
The schoolmaster said: Michael
Henry wishes him to be forgiven on
promise of better conduct, but for the
next offense he shall ride the bud
GER"
This meant lying for a painful mo-
ment across his fathers knee.
The promise was given and our
merrymaking resumed. The district
attorney, whom ! hnd met before,
came to see me after supper and asked
more questions and advised me to tnlk
with no one about the shooting with
out his consent. Soon he went away.
and after l had learned my lessons
Mr.. Hacket said:
LET us walk up to the jail and
spend few minutes with Amos"
We hurried to the Jail. The sheriff.
stout-built, stern-faced man, admit
ted US.
"Can we see the Grlmshaw boy"
Mr.. Hacket inquired.
II guess so," he answered us he
lazily rose from his chair and took
down bunch of large keys which had
been hanging on the wall. His fa-
ther has just left"
He spoke In low. solemn tone
which impressed me deeply ns he put
schoolmaster. lie led US through a
door into narrow corridor. He thrust
big key into the lock of heavy iron
grating and threw It open and bade us
step In. We entered an ill-smelllng
! stone-floored room with q number OF
cells against It's rear wall. fle locked
the door behind us. ! saw face and
| figure in the dim candle light. behind
the grated door Of one of these cells,
How lonely and detected and helpless
was the expression of that figure! The
sheriff went to the door and un'
locked 1t.
"Hello, Grimshaw." he snid sternly
"Step out here"
1t oil went IN my heart--the man
ners Of the sheriff so Ike the cold iron
of his keys and doors-the dim candle
light the pnle. frightened youth who
walked toward us. We shook his hand
and he said that he was glad to see
US. saw the scar under his left ear
and reaching out upon his cheek
which my stone had made, and knew
that he bore the mark of Cain.
He asked If he could see me alone
and the sheriff shook his head and said
sternly:
Against the rules"
"Allos, I've boy O. my own an
feel Cor ye," said the schoolmaster
I'm going to come here, now and
then, to cheer ye up and bring ye some
book to read. If there's any word
Of advice I can give ye-let me know
Have ye lawyer?"
"There's one coming tomorrow"
"Don't say word about the case
boy, to anyone but your lawyer-mind
that"
We left him and went to our home
and beds, l to spend half the night
thinking of my discovery, since which
for some reason, I had no doubt oi
the guilt of Amos, but / spoke not oi
1t to anyone and the secret worried
me.
Next morning on my way to schoo
passed scene more strange ant
memorable than any in my long ex
perience. saw the shabby figure oi
old Benjamin Grlmshaw walking iI
the side path. His hands were In hi.
pockets, his eyes bent upon the ground
his lips moving as If he were In deer
thought. Rowing Kate, the ragged
silent woman who, for the fortune o.
Amos, had drawn a gibbet, the shadow
Of which was now upon him, walked
slowly behind the money lender point
ing at hinr with her bony forefinger
Her stern eyes watched him as the ca
watches when its prey Is near 1t. Sh,
did not notice me. Silently, her fee
wrapped In rags. she walked behint
the man, always pointing at him
When he stopped she stopped. WheI
he resumed his slow progress she fol
lowed. 1t thrilled me. partly becaus,
l had begun to believe In the weird
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