Evening star., 1922-01-22

and If 1t might a-happened. maybe it
did happen"
Wednesday afternoon the band was
town into a paroxysm Of excitement and
speculation when Sheriff Watts as
cended the platform OF the musicians
and, placing a heavy hand on the
shoulder Of the snare drummer, said
loudly. "Mavin Newton. I arrest ye in
the name Of the law"'
Not a soul in that breathless crowd
was there who failed to see Matte
Strong point her finger in the face Of
a;:er one word, Shame" Nor did
any fail to see her take her place at
the side of the bearded drummer, with
her fingers clutching his arm. and
walk to the door Of the jail under the
post office with the prisoner.
Then the word was passed about
that the hearing would take place
before Justice of the Peace Bender
that very evening. So great was the
public clamor that the justice agreed
to hold court in the town hall instead
Of in his office, and 1t was rumored
that Johnnie Bones. Scattergood
Baines' own lawyer. had been ap-
pointed special prosecutor by the
governor Of the state.
Opinion ran against Scattergood. 1t
was free and outspoken.T Townsfolk and
visitors alike felt that Scattergood had
done i'll in bringing the young man
oSa1
He should have let sleeping dogs lie.
And when it heard that Sheriff Watts
had carried a subpoena to Mavin New
tons father, compelling his presence
as a witness against his own son.
there arose a wind of disapproval
which quite swept Scattergood from
the esteem Of the community.
DCT the town came to the hearing.
- In the beginning it was a cut
and-dried affair. The facts Of the
crime were established with dry pre-
cision. Then Johnnie Bones called the
name Of witness, and the audience
stifrened to attention. Even old man
Newton. sitting with bowed head and
scowling brow. lifted his eyes to the
face Of the young lawyer.
avery Sutphin." said Johnnie
Bones, and the former sheriff, wear
ing such a haircut as Coldriver sell
dom saw within its corporate limits
and clothed in such clothing as it had
never seen there. was brought through
the door by two strangers of Official
look. He seated himself in the wit
ness chair.
"You are Avery Sutphin. former
sheriff Of this town.
Yes"
"Where do you resideo"
"In the state penitentiary," said
Avery, seeking to hide his face.
do you know Mavin Newton"
"Yes"
when did you last see him.
"It was the night Of June IL. eight
years ago."
"Where?"
"In his fathers barn"
What was he doing?"
"Milkin'," said Avery.
You went to see him.
"Yes."
Why"
"To git some money out of him"
did he owe you money!"
NO"
How much money did you go to
get?'
1.-TWO hundred dollars"
Did you get it,"
yes"
DO you know what money it was?"
Church organ money. He told me"
why did he give it to you?"
Il made him."
How"
"Lemme tell it my own way-if !
got to tell it. He'd took my girl. and
1 never liked him. anyhow. Thered
been rumors his old man was boot
leggin'. Nothing to it. Of course, and
l knowed that. And I needed some
money. Bought a beef critter off'n
Marvin Preston next day. So went
to Mavin and says I was goin' to ar
rest his old man because I'd ketched
him sellin' liquor. and Mavin, he
begged me I shouldn't. I told him
the old man would git ten year. any
how"
what did Mavin say to that?'
He jest bowed his head and kind
Of leaned against the STALL"