The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-04-15
CHAPTER V-Continued


''When Cyrus Doolittle came to my
shop about five o'clock on November
tenth, was chatting with man who
had been telling about the scandalous
talk of the old tinker. After Mr.. Doc
little lay down locked the shop and
went upstairs to my room and got me
a bite to eat. Then l lit lamp an
lay down on bed an read some
story papers. / didn't have tele-
phone. So when Mr.. Doolittle woke
up and asked me to let him out of the
shop about half past eight l didn't
know of the shooting. l told him then
that he'd better look out for the
tinker or he'd be done up. I was at
Doolittle's the day that Cyrus put
him off his place. The old man acted
dreadful vicious"
The doctors and other witnesses
were sworn. Motive was proved to
the satisfaction Of the judge. The
tinker stood by the statements he had
made on the night Of the murder.
The rubbers were put in evidence.
Shad and the sheriff testified as to
the finding of the cartridges and the
revolver. The district attorney pre-
scented his theory. 1t was conclusive.
The only dissenters in the courtroom
were the boys, Bony and Shad. Old
Bumpy Brown was held for the grand
jury, which promptly indicted him for
murder in the first degree.
The prisoner limped out Of court
with the sheriff and his deputy. The
district attorney stood receiving the
congratulations of friends when Shad
and Bony approached. Colonel Blake
greeted them.
II know 1t looks bad, but ! don't
think he's guilty." said Shad.
"What are your reasons?"
"He is not mean enough" was
Shad's answer.
'sIt's the same old reason that has
been pleaded since Cain killed Abel"
the colonel laughed. II don't complain
because boys heart is better than
his head. 1t ought to be. Come over
to the house and spend the night
with u.s."
I'D like to, but must get back to-
night. Could we GO, and see Bumpy
a few minutes?"
Certainly, I'll go with you"
Bumpy was glad to see them. He
smiled, reaching through the bars and
shaking their hands cheerfully as he
had been wont to do in Browns cove.
eve wanted you to know that you've
got at least two friends" said Shad.
Friends! 1 used to have more
friends than you could shake a stick
at. They're all gone but you an the
woman. I miss her dreadful"
81 guess you amt scared" this
from Bony.
Scared! By Jeedix!" Bumpy ex-
claimed. "a man who has shook
hands with death as often as I have
amt apt to be nervous"
Assuming that you are innocent,
have you any theory about the crime?"
Colonel Blake asked.
swell, sir, I have an idee, but I
may be wrong. I can be purity mean,
but l amt a-goin' to say that man
done murder less I know what I'm
talkin' about. 1t amt manners"
Bunny reached through the bars
and shook their hands.
"We're going to find the guilty
man." said Shad.
'Boys, like you-by Jeedix, do 7"
Bumpy exclaimed. But you stick to
your jobs. I'm nigh the end O. the
road anyhow"
That ended the interview. It was
supper time. Colonel Blake went with
the boys to the railroad station.
The boys rode to Ashfield, got their
suppers at a restaurant and walked
home. They were talking of the
events of the day.
Bony said: 1T looks awful bad for
Bumpy. Do We suppose he could have
gone an done it in a kind of crazy
fit?"
mo, don't. He is not that kind
of a man,
Seems as If he didn't care much
whether they hang him or not" Bony
added.
I maybe he'll fool 'em yet. That OIL
man is smart"
/ Shad spent the night with Bony.
The people were almost unanimous
in the conviction that Bumpy Brown
was guilty of the murder, even those
who had little knowledge of the damn
ing evidence. In spite of their ia
miliarity with every detail of it, the
boys stood firmly for their friend.