The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-03-21


at all. He will be protected-you marb
my words"
He bowed and left us. When the
door had closed behind him Mr. Hacker
said:
"Another victim horned by the
Snapdragon If man were to be
| slain by a bear back In the woods
Colonel Hand would look for guilt In
the opposition party. Michael Henry,
whatever the truth may be regarding
the poor boy in Jail, we are In no way
responsible. Away with sadnessl
What is that?"
Mr.. Hacket inclined his ear and then
added: michael Henry says that he
may be innocent and that we had bet.
ter go and see if we can help him,
Now / hadn't thought o. that. Had
you, MaryY
NO" the girl answered
"We must be letting Mike GO ahead
Of us always" said her father. "You
saw the crime, believe" turning to
me.
told them all I knew Of 1t.
"Upon my word, like you, my
brave lad" said the schOolmaster. 81
heard Of all this and decided that you
would be help to Michael Henry and
a creditable student. Come, let us
go and pay our compliments to the
senator"
The schOOlmaster and I went over
| to Mr. Wright's house-a white, frame
building which had often been pointed
| out to me.
Mrs. Wright, fine-looking lady who
met us at the door, said that the sen.
ator had gone over to the mill with his
wheelbarrow.
"We've plenty of time and we'll wait
for him." said the schoolmastcr.
81 see him." said little John as he
and Ruth ran to the gate and down
the rough plank walk to meet him.
We saw him coming little why
down the street in his shirt-sleeves
with his barrow In front Of him He
stopped and lifted little John In his
arms, and after a moment put him
down and embraced Ruth.
well, I see We still love the tender
"
Hacket as we approached the senator.
"My embrace is the tenderer Of the
| two" the latter laughed with look
at his hands.
He recognized me and seized my
two hands and shook them as he said:
upon my word, here is my friend
Bart. was not looking for you here"
He put his hand on my head, now
higher than his shoulder, and said:
II was not looking for you here"
He asked about my aunt and uncle
and expressed JOY at learning that
was now under Mr.. Hacket.
IT shall be here for number Of
weeks" he said, "and shall want to
see you often. Maybe well go hunt
ing some Saturday"
We babe him good morning and he
went on with his wheelbarrow, which
was loaded, / remember, with stout
sacks Of meal and -four.
We went to the school at half past
eight. What thrilling place 1t was
with its 78 children and Its three
rooms. How nois, they were as they
waited in the schoolyard for the bell
, to ring! I stood by the doorside look
ing very foolish, l dare say, for /
knew not what to do with myself. My
| legs encased in the tow breeches felt
as If they were on fire. I saw that
most of the village boys wore bought
EN- clothes and fine boots. / looked
down at my own leather and was a
tower of shame on foundation of
creased cOwhide. Sally Dunkelberg
came in with some other girls and pre-
tended not to see me. That was the
hardest blow 1 suffered.
| Among the handsome, well-dressed
boys of the village was Henry Wills
the boy who had stolen my water
melon. / had never forgiven him for
that or for the killing of my little hen.
The bell rang and we marched into
the big room, while q fat girl with
crinkly hair played on melodeon.
Henry and another boy tried to shove
me out of line and a big paper wad
struck the side of my head as we were
marching in and after we were seated
a cross-eyed, freckled girl in a red
dress made face at me.
| 1t was, on the whole, the unhappiest
day of my life. During recess I
slapped a boys face for calling me a
rabbit and the two others who came
to help him went away full Of fear
md establishment, for l had the
strength of young moose in me those
days. After that they began to make
friends with me.
In the noon hour man came to me
In the schoolyard with subpoena for
the examination of Amos Grimshaw
and explained its meaning.
While l was talking with this man
Sally passed me walking with another
girl and said:
| "Hello, Bart"
/ observed that Henry Wills Joined
them and walked down the street at
the side of Sally. got my first pang
Of jealousy then.