The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-08-09

friends and get interested before long. h
Il want to. 60 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
selfshness. Forget what you want to
do and think Of what we want you to
do. We want you to make a man of
yourself. You must do 1t for the sake
Of those dear people who have done
SO much for you. The needle points
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 wagering In my CON
duct. At the supper table Mr.. Hacket
kept us laughing with songs and tests
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: 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 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
Mr.. 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.
"Can we see the Grimshaw boyY'
Mr.. Hacket inquired.
II guess So" he answered as he
lazlly rose from his chair and took
down a bunch Of large keys which had
been hanging on the wall. Ellis IA.
Their has just left"
He spoke in a low, solemn tone
which impressed me deeply as he put
a lighted candle in the hanGF Of the
schoolmaster. He led us through a
door into a narrow corridor. He thrust
big key into the lock Of a heavy iron
grating and threw it open and babe us
step in. We entered an ill-smelling
stone-foored room with a number Of
cells against it's 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 Z Z he
sheriff went to the door and I'M
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 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. / saw the scar under his left ear
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 alone
and the sheriff shook his head and said
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 and
then, to cheer We up and bring We some
books to read. If there's any word
of advice can give ye-let me know.
Have We lawyer"
"There's one coming tomorrow
Don't say word about the case,
boy, to anyone but your lawyer mind
that"
We left him and went to our home
and beds, / to spend half the night
thinking of my discovery, since which,
for Some reason, had no doubt OF
the guilt of Amos, but I spoke not Of
1t to anyone and the secret worried
me.
Next morning on my way to school
a passed scene more strange and
memorable than any in my long ex-
perience. 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 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 forefnger.
Her stern eyes watched him as the cat
watches when its prey is near it. She
did not notice me. Silently, her feet
xTr in cI,o L u