The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-06-28
sven. Bart, how do you like
schoolr" he asked.

Snow let's look at the compass" b
suggested. you're lost for minute
and like all lost people you're headin
the wrong way. Don't be misled b
selfishness. Forget what you want t
do and think of what we want you t
do. We want you to make a man 0
yourself. You must do it for the SAX
Of those dear people who have don
so much for you. The needle point
toward the schoolhouse yonder."
He went on with his work, and as
walked away I understood that tn
needle he referred to was my con
science.
I went about my chores. There wa
to be no more wagering In my con
duct. At the supper table Mr.. Hacke
kept us laughing with songs and Jest
and stories. The boy John, having
been reproved for rapid eating, hurled
his spoon upon the floor.
"Those in favor of his punishment
will please say aye?" said the school
master.
remember that we had a divided
house on that important question.
The schoolmaster said: "Michae
Henry wishes him to be forgiven or
promise of better conduct, but for the
next offense he shall ride the bad
ger"
This meant lying for a painful mo
ment across his fathers knee.
The promise was given and oul
merrymaking resumed. The distric
attorney, whom I had met before
came to see me after supper and asket
more questions and advised me to tall
with no one about the shooting with
out his consent. Soon he went away
and after ! had learned my lesson!
Mr.. Hacket said:
"Let us walk up to the jail ant
spend few minutes with Amos"
We hurried to the jail. The sheriff
stout.built, stern-faced man, admit
ted us.
"Can we see the Grimshaw boy 2
Mr.. Hacket inquired.
81 guess So" he answered as h'
lazily rose from his chair and tool
down bunch of large keys which hal
been hanging on the wall. Ills ia
Their has just left"
He spoke in low, solemn tom
which impressed me deeply as he pu
lighted candle in the hand Of th,
schoolmaster. He led us through {
door into a narrow corridor. He thrust
big key into the lock of a heavy irol
grating and threw it open and babe u
step in" We entered an ill-smellinl
stone-foored room with a number O
cells against it's rear wall. He loeket
the door behind us. I saw face ant
figure in the dim candle light, behinC
the grated door of one of these l.s
How lonely and detected and helpless
was the expression of that figure Th
sheriff went to the door and IN
locked it.
"Hello, Grimshaw," he said sternly
"Step out here"
1t all went to my heart--the man
ners of the sheriff SO like the cold irol
Of his keys and doors-the dim candl
light, the pale, frightened youth VIII
walked toward us. We shook his hant
and he said that he was glad to Sc,
US. I saw the scar under his left ca
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 alon,
and the sheriff shook his head and sal,
sternly:
against the rules"
'Amos, I've a boy o. my own an
feel for ye," said the schoolmaster
"I'm going to come here, now an,
then, to cheer We up and bring We SOM
books to read. If there's any wore
of advice can give ye-let me know
Have We a lawyer?"
"There's one coming tomorrow
Don't say word about the ease
boy, to anyone but your lawyer mint
that"
We left him and went to our HON,
and beds, I to spend half the nigh
thinking of my discovery, since which
for some reason, / had no doubt O
the guilt Of Amos, but spoke not O.
it to anyone and the secret worriet
me.
Next morning on my way to schoo
"a passed scene more strange ant
memorable than any in my long ex
perienee. / saw the shabby figure O
old Benjamin Grimshaw 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 deel
thought. Rowing Kate, the ragged
silent woman who, for the fortune O
Amos, had drawn gibbet, the SHADOW
Of which was now upon him, Wake.
slowly behind the money lender point
ing at him with her bony forefinger
Her stern eyes watched him as the ca
watches when its prey is near it. Sh,
1H