The Holly chieftain., 1919-03-06


toward the sch0Olhouse yonder."
He went on with his work. and as l
walked away l 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-
duct. At the supper table Mr.. Hacket
kept us laughing with songs and jests
and stories. The boy John, having
been reproved for rapid eating, hurled
his spLsa upon the floor.
"Those in favor of his punist nent
will please say aye?" said the school
master.
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 a painful mo-
ment across his fathers knee.
The promise was given and our
merrymaking resumed. The district
attorney, whom / 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 l had learned my lessons
Mr.. Hacket said:
LET us walk up to the Jail and
spend a few minutes with Amos"
We hurried to the Jail. The sheriff.
stout-built, stern-faced man. admit
ted US.
! "Can we see the Grimshaw boyT
/ Mr.. Hacket inquired.
II guess so." he answered as he
lazily rose from his chair and took
down a bunch of large keys which had
been hanging on the wall. His ia
ther has just left"
He spoke in a low, solemn tone
which impressed me deeply as he put
a lighted candle in the hand of the
schoOlmaster. He led US through a
door into a narrow corridor. He thrust
q big key into the lock of a heavy iron
grating and threw It open and bade US
step In. We entered an ilI-smelling
stOne-foored room with number of
cells against its rear wall. He locked
the door behind us. saw a 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 said sternly.
"Step out here"
1t all went ia my heart--the man
ners Of the sheriff so like the cold iron
of his keys and doors-the dim candle
light. the pale. frightened youth who
walked toward us. We shook his hand
and he said that he was glad to see
us. I saw the scar under his left ear
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"
Amos, I've boy O. my own an 1
feel for ye," said the schoolmaster.
'Tm going to come here, now and
then, to cheer We up and bring ye some
oOOho ~ iedu. IL tueie duy WI"
Of advice can give ye-let me know.
Have We lawyer?"
"There's one coming tomorrow"
"Don't say a 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, had no doubt Of
the guilt of Amos, but spoke not of
it to anyone and the secret worried
me.
Next morning on my way to schoo!
passed a scene more strange and
memorable than any in my long ex-
perience. l saw the shabby figure of
old Benjamin Grimshaw walking in
the side path. His hands were in his
pockets, his eyes bent upon the ground.
his lips moving as II 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 forefnger
Her stern eyes watched him as the cat
watches when its prey is near it. She
did not notice me. Silently, her feet
wrapped in rags, she walked behind
the man, always pointing at him.
When he stopped she stopped When
he resumed his slow progress she fol-