The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-15

steve RoRR came with his
mother. Constable Sneed brought
them. There was appearance OF
handcuffs. or the heavy hand Of
the law.
Soon the small room was packed
and Judge Jesse was clearing his
throat getting ready for one OF his
typical courts that were not ON.
cially courts, but mountain justice.
The last TO appear was Scout Ike
Hill, with Coach Hurd. Leverage
pounded the table for order In
court, and said.
"Folks, we are gathered together
TO settle something what's been
hanging FIRE for nigh Q generation,
namely, to.wit, who killed Rosy
McAfee'e paw, and how come,
Now, I allus have said TO let Sleep
Ing dogs lie. But this pup wants
wakening. DR.. Tollivar, will you
stand"
Eyes, sir, Judge" DR.. Tollivar
said, and got up.
was you the Tolliver boy what
pitched that Fourth Of July game
when McAfee was beaned2"
"Yes, sir, Judge, ! was. But It
was an accident. Not for the world
would I have done II, I've tried to
atone for IL TO Rosy McAfee. But
was the one" He sat down.
Rosy, sitting between Judy and
Hannah, felt Hannah nudge him
viciously with her elbow. "And
he more than done, 1t too. fool.
Pity he wasn't your paw. You'd
be riding q pacing boss"
shut upl" Rossy whispered.
stand up, Ike HILL"
The scout stood at the courts or
der. "Yes, sir, Judge"
WAS you, as this letter Of yours
I have before me, present at that
same game, scouting2"
Eyes, sir, Judge. I was. I'd
heard Of this Tolllver boy and
wanted to see him In action, II
he was as good as they said, he
must be O house aiire."
Then you seen the actual beam
ing-thats right2"
"Yes, along with q lot Of people
here, saw what appeared to be
strange accident"
"You think II was an accident9"
Eyes, I do. I've seen nervous
pitchers throw games away In
strange ways, but never like that,
But feel sure 1t was an accident,
and am equally suer that, but
for something else, McASee would
have been over II In 80 minutes,
I've seen o good many men
knocked out, and It's rare indeed
that one Is really killed ;
"Will you finish UP the rest Of
your talep"
"csladly. When the beaning hap
pened, I saw this was no place for
me. didn't want TO get messed
UP In Q fight, and ] saw this was
going TO DO O. royal one. ] saw
Tollivar strike for the tall and
uncut" This brought laugh
from oil over the room.
1.-THE second shadow everybody
thought was Tolliver's trying 10
keep up with him, was me. We
disappeared about the same time
but that was because ] took the
short cut.
" dropped through O hole In the
grandstand Just as they brought
McAfee around and laid him In
the shade. One man went for
water and the other for something
else. Then ] saw Q big overgsown
fellow drop with GA Iron bar In
his hand and hit the unconscious
man with the iron. II oil hap
pened In the wink Of an eye.
" never came back to mess up
with the matter. II was none OF
my affair, I figured. Not till lately
have ever told what really
saw. Now ! am here to say "
under cath, II necessary"
>"Would you know that Teller II
you seen him2"
" think So"
Look around. 10 he here?"
Hill looked ell around, and then
back at Leverage. HE % here"
sit down." Judge Jesse said.
"Oue more points AHeEe was u
dispute about the McAfee lands
and timber after he was accident
ally killed. Seems McAfee was
trying TO keep neighborhood peace
and not lose out In law by trans.
ferring his property TO his half
sister. Some men put their prop
erty now In their wfie's names
But after he died the property
was held back and kept.
"Steve Hogg. You here7 Will
you stand up?"
His face drawn and hard, Steve
Hogg got UP, holding 10 the chair
ahead OF him to steady himself.
Steve, how'd you feel about
giving back that land and timber
TO Rosy McAfee and his Inaw7"
a g.