The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-05-27
CHAPTER VII-Continued
IL

81 do everything just as the woman
used to-" he said. Il know it pleases
her"
Bumpy and Shad sat down in the
lamplight by the table. The room was
warm and cozy. They began to talk
Of the great theme of the countryside.
Bumpy said: II amt goin' to ask
no questions, but I can't help won
derin' what new idee the district at
torney has got in his mind. He had
evidence enough to hang me. Why
didn't he go ahead? I've lived about
long enough"
"He is an honest man. He could
maybe satisfy the people by hanging
you, but he has got to satisfy him.
self"
81 believe it. He is an honest man.
L wonder what tree his mind has
lit on"
Shad was quick to answer. II don't
know, but 1 wonder what tree your
mind has lit on. I am not here to be
a spy. / am your friend"
Bumpy held out his hand. "Put 'er
there!" he said. 'T'm certain no man
ever had better friend"
A silence followed. Shad broke 1t
by saying: "Some one must have put
those cartridges in your jacket. Some
one threw that revolver into the river
here In front Of your house"
Bumpy arose from his chair and
got drink Of water. Coming back
to his chair he said: ut makes me
mad. I could raise h-l, but I'm in
tx where I got to keep still an I'm
a-goin' to. I'm willin' to die without
q whimper but I won't talk. Don't
ask me no questions an don't tell what
I've said. There's God In Heaven.
He'll have to settle this matter"
There was moment Of silence in
which they heard only the whistling of
the wind and the ticking Of the clock.
Shad had brought books with him to
read and study. Among them was
Dickens delightful story Of Great Elk
pectations. He proposed that he read
IL aloud.
"Go ahead" said Bumpy. "It'll be
like old times. The woman used to
read to me every night"
The boy began reading and the eve
ming passed in kind Of magic spell.
The clock struck eleven. Shad put
down the book.
Bumpy let down a platform hinged
upon the wall with folding legs on its
outer corners. On this he put small
mattress and made bed for the boy.
He made up the lounge for himself,
covered the birds cage with shawl.
laid some hardwood sticks on the fire,
bolted the door and put out the lights.
Soon they were both asleep.
In the morning they left a warm
Are in the stove to keep Dick COM
Portable and walked to Amity Dam.
81 guess I'd be more comf't table to
home but I might as well know, first
as last, what the People think o.
Brown" Bumpy said as they started.
They found in the little village a
chilly atmosphere in no way related
to the weather. The children on their
way to school followed them toward
the store, whispering and staring curl
ously at the old man. A little snow,
now melting, had fallen in the night.
Two small boys across the street be-
gan to jeer and pelt him with snow
balls. Shad and Bumpy mounted the
steps in front of Smithers' store and
entered. Mr.. Smithers stood behind
the desk at the end of the west coun-
ter. He shook hands with the boy,
saying:
"Shad, I'm glad to see you, but I'd
rather you wouldn't bring this man
here"
"Why not?" Shad asked. "He's been
released. think that the district at
torney has concluded that he isn't
guilty."
'That may be-" said the mild Mr..
Smithers in a gentle tone II don't
want to argue with you. We have our
own opinions here. We who live near
the scene of the murder ought to know
something about it,"
"We who have been working on the
case ought to know something about
it." Shad answered. "But I see that
this is no place for Mr.. Brown to be
in. If you'll let him sit down cellar
little while, till this crowd of boys
and girls have gone to school, I'll take
him away"
'Al right, take Mr.. Brown down to
VIE cellar" said Smithers in a lady
clke tone as he wrung his hands.
t,here was note of irony in the
~ IDS, "Mr. Brown" He added
Pryien you go please take him out by
Whlsatchway."
q was stern look In Bumpy's
" Shad led him down the