The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-04-01


who was nearly dead The sheriff, the
district attorney and the county Judge
were at the Doolittle house looking
over the ground.
Soon these ministers Of Justice came
to the store. Colonel Blake gave Shad
a hearty greeting. The colonel was
calm and dignihed. He said to the
boy:
my wife and I have done a lot of
talking about you. We have enjoyed
your letters"
Shad told Of the man who APP
preached him In the road and took to
the fields when he saw the boy and
his bicycle lantern.
THAT is curious" said the colonel.
I'VE may hear more about him. First,
we'll have some crackers and cheese
and ginger ale."
While the officials were eating, the
two men who had gone down the
river arrived with old Bumpy Brown.
A silence fell as they entered. The
tinker, who preceded the men, looked
pale and serious. A voice from O
huddled group near the door, clearly
audible to all in the room, said:
Hes ad-n' murderer"
Colonel Blake turned quickly and
said: "Look here, my friends, it is
for me to say who is the murderer,
not you. request you all to 60 to
your homes and beware of hasty
judgments. In the excitement of this
hour it is easy to be wrong"
He turned to Mr.. Smithers and
said: IF you will ask these good
people to go home, and lock your
door. / shall perhaps be able to ar
rive at some conclusion of my own" :
The villagers slowly filed out of the
store. The door was locked. Bumpy
Brown, the two men who had found
him, the officials. Mr.. Smithers and
Shad were now present. Colonel
Blake turned to the tinker. asking:
us this Mr.. BROWNE"
"Yes, sir"
Il am the district attorney of this
county, and here is Sheriff Colewell
and this is Judge Swift You know,
presume, that q crime was COM
mitted about seven o'clock this eve
ming at the home of Cyrus Doolittle."
"These men has told me-" Bumpy
answered.
"You perhaps do not know that Mr..
Doolittle and others suspect you Of
being the criminal"
"They didn't tell me what Cy Doc
little said, but they told me what
other folks was sayin'. They said the
murderer had limp like mine. Well,
mister, can't help it If he did,
amt hurt nobody. When come In
here every one had a knife In his eye
fer Of Bumpy Brown. I'm all lone
in the world. l amt got no friends,
but tell We amt hurt nobody since
was a soger an it was my bust
ness to hurt folks"
There was a touch of pathos in the
voice Of the man as he spoke these
words.
Shad was tempted to say, Il am
your friend" but he held his peace
in the presence Of these great men.
The district attorney directed Sheriff
Colewell to search the man for
weapons. This was done. Only key
and jackknife were found in his
clothing.
Colonel Blake took out his pencil
and writing pad as he said: "AIr.
Brown, I am going to ask you some
questions and take down what you say
in reply. First it is my duty to in
form you that 1t Is your privilege to
refuse to answer any question may
ask. My advice is that you ought not
to answer any question which would
tend to prove your guilt. Where
were you at seven o'clock this eve
ning?"
"Out on the river fishIn' fer bull
pout."
"Was anyone with your"
"No."
ibid anyone see you fishingr'
"Guess not. Twas mos dark when
! started"
did no boat pass your"
"None."
did you get any fishf"
"No."
''What did you do todayT
The old man toldlof going to Pier
mont to fix ieaky roof. He had re-
turned to his shack about FIVE; had
lain down for nap, and gone out to
fish an hour or so later.
"Do you own revolver?
"No. / have never owned q re-
volver."
"What was your opinion of Cyrus
Doolittle?"
~ have never liked him."
"Why?"
"Why does a man hate skunksr
"Was there bad blood between you?
Did you have any quarrel with himr
"Oh, he showed me Off his place one
day."
did you threaten him?"
az wouldn't wonder. dunno what