Cleveland County herald., 1919-03-20

uncle. SUCK to II. 10uH Iuake friends and get interested before long
 T want to go home," I declared.
 "Now let's look at the compass" he suggested. You're lost for minute and like all lost people you're heading the wrong way. Don't be misled by selfishness. Forget what you want to dc and think of what we want you to do. We want you to make a man of yourself. You must do it for the sake of those dear people who have done toward the schoolhouse yonder."
 He went on with his work, and as walked away I understood that the needle he referred to was my con- science.
 went about my chores. There was to be no more wavering in my con- duet. At the supper table MT. Racket kept us laughing with songs and jests 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.
 I remember that we had a 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 bad ger"
 This meant lying for d painful mo- ment across his fathers knee. The promise was given and our merrymaking resumed. The district attorney, whom I had met before came to see me after supper and asked more questions and advised me to talk with no one about the shooting with out his consent. Soon he went away and after I had learned my lessons MT. Racket said:
 ''Let us walk up to the jail and spend a few minutes with Amos" | We hurried to the jail. The sheriff a stout-built, stern-faced man, admit ted us.
 Gan we see the Grimshaw boy?' Mir. Racket inquired.
 q guess so,' he answered as hk laZily rose from his chair and took down bunch of large keys which haG been hanging on the wall. His ia ther has just left"
 He spoke ip a low, solemn tone which impressed me deeply as he pu lighted candle in the hand of tht schoolmaster. He led us through { door into a narrow corridor. He thrust a big key into the lock of heavy iror grating and threw it open and bade u! step in. We entered an ill-smellins | stone-foored room with number O cells against it's rear wall. He locked the door behind us. l saw face ant | figure in the dim candle light, behint the grated door of one of these cells How lonely and dejected and helpless was the expression of that figure! Th | sheriff went to the door and un | locked 1t.
 Hello, Grimshaw," he said sternly "Step out here"
 It all went to my heart-the man ners of the sheriff so like the cold iroI | of his keys and doors-the dim candl' light, the pale, frightened youth wht walked toward us. We shook his hant and he said that he was glad to SC, us. l saw the scar under his left cal and reaching out upon his cheek which my stone had made, and knev that he bore the mark of Cain. | He asked if he could see me alon, and the sheriff shook his head and sait | sternly:
 Against the rules"
 "Amos, I've boy O my own an feel for ye," said the schoolmaster I'm going to come here, now ant then, to cheer ye up and bring ye some books to read. If there's any worC of advice l can give ye-let me know Have ye lawyer?'
 "There's one coming tomorrow"
 Don't say a word about the case boy, to anyone but your lawyer-minC | that"
 We left him and went to our home l and beds, to spend half the night thinking of my discovery, since which for some reason, I had no doubt o1 the guilt of Amos, but spoke not ot l it to anyone and the secret worried me.
 Next morning on my way to schoo! q passed a scene more strange and memorable than any in my long ex | perience. I saw the shabby figure ot old Benjamin Grimshaw walking in | the side path. His hands were in his pockets, his eyes bent upon the ground his lips moving as if he were in deep thought. Rowing Kate, the ragged silent woman who, for the fortune of Amos, had drawn gibbet, the shadow of which was now upon him, walked slowly behind the money lender point ing at him with her bony foretinger. Her stern eyes watched him as the cat watches when it's prey is near it. She did not notice me. Silently, her feet U,rannoH iy, ranc cha xUallyQH behind