The Holly chieftain., 1919-03-13
a ghost, it seemed to me, although

grets. in spite of my knowledge that
we were right, although they related
mostly to Amos.
Next afternoon / 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 l
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 I approached
them.
"Well, partner, we shall be leaving
in an hour or So" said Mr.. Wright as
he gave me his hand. "You may look
for me here soon after the close of the
session. Take care of yourself and go
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 l
was coming man.
Bart, I've some wheat to be
thrashed in the barn on, the back lot"
said the senator as l was leaving
them. "You can do 1t Saturdays, If
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 it down to the gran
lpt nd x,o, Y
return"
1 remember that number of men
who worked in Grlmshaw's sawmill
were passing as he spoke.
"Yes, 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 l knew of the murder.
followed the advice of Bishop Per-
kins and kept my knowledge to myself.
Saturday came, and when the chores
were done l 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 a pushcart, with all of
which Mrs. Wright had provided me.
1t was lonely place with woods
on three sides of the field and road
on the other. kept laying down
beds Of wheat on the barn floor and
beating them out with the fail until
the sun was well over the roof, when
sat down to eat my luncheon. Then
l swept up the grain and winnowed
out the chaff and filled one Of my
sacks. That done, I covered the floor
again and the thulnp of the fail eased
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 a good trail led to the
swimming hole. 1t was warm, bright
day and l was hot and thirsty. The
thought of cool waters and friendly
ccmpanionship was too much for me.
l went with them and stayed with
them longer than intended. l re-
member saying as l dressed that I
should have to work late and go with
out my supper In order to finish my
stint.
1t was almost dark when was put
ting the last sack. of wheat into my
cart, in the gloomy barn and getting
ready to go.
A rustling in the straw where
stood stopped me suddenly. heard
stealthy footsteps in the darkness. l
stood my ground and demanded:
"Who's there?"
l saw a form approaching In the
gloom with feet as noiseless as cats.
i took step backward and, seeing
that it was woman, stopped.
'It's Kate" came in a hoarse whis-
per as recognized her form and staff.
"Run, boy--they have just come out
O. the woods. I saw them. They will
take you away. Run"
She had picked up the fail, and now
she put 1t in my hands and gave me
none too quickly, for l had not gone
fifty feet from the barn in the stubble
when I heard them coming after me,
whoever they were. l saw that they
were gaining and turned quickly. I
had time to raise my fail and bring 1t
down upon the head Of the leader,
who fell as had seen beef fall un-
der the ak. Another man stopped be-
yond the reach Of my fail and, after
seconds hesitation. turned and ran
away in the darkness.
I