THE MYSTERY OF A BULLET. 



i5 



pasture side of where you fellers was gun- 

 nin', 'cause that's 'bout half an hour's sheep 

 travel from the pen. Looks ter me 's if 

 Zeke's got a clear case agin you fellers, 

 an' by gosh, I'd rather 't be you than me. 

 Say, why didn't you take a likelier chance, 

 when it was 'way off, somewheres?" 



John and I looked at each other, amazed. 



"Well," said John, at last, "let's go over 

 to see Zeke." 



When we reached his house he greeted 

 us pleasantly. 



"I have just heard," said John, "that one 

 of your sheep was shot, and that the bul- 

 let looks like one of mine." 



"There it is." said Withington, produc- 

 ing it from his vest pocket. It certainly 

 looked in every detail like one of John's. 



"I do not know as you will believe me," 

 said John, "but I hope you will. I did not 

 shoot that sheep, nor did my friend. The 

 first we knew of it was when we were told 

 this morning. Neither of us did it, either 

 accidentally or purposely, I pledge you my 

 word of honor. Will you believe me?" 



Withington chewed a straw, and did not 

 look up or say anything for some time. 

 Then he smiled rather pleasantly, and said : 



"My wife said she didn't believe you did 

 it on purpose." 



He talked pleasantly, and bade us good- 

 bye. We hardly knew what to think. On 

 the train going home we talked the matter 

 over continually. Surely, had Withington 

 chosen to arrest us, we should have had to 

 suffer on circumstantial evidence, for never 

 was an innocent suspect convicted on a 

 clearer case. First, Withington's counsel 

 would mention to the jury the matter of 

 prejudice. Our farmer was a bitter enemy 

 to Withington, and never let a chance slip 

 to say an ill word of him. We should 

 naturally be prejudiced in the beeinning. 

 Then, there was probable cause, the ram's 

 assault. Strongest evidence was the bullet, 

 just like John's, never seen in that country 

 before, none like it to be had anywhere 

 near, except of John. Witnesses there were 

 in plenty for Withington, not one for us. 



"Well," said John, in conclusion, "either 

 we shall yet feel the weight of his ven- 

 geance, or the leopard has changed his 

 spots." 



As time passed, and we were left in 

 peace, we concluded that Withington felt 

 we had done by him, in the matter of the 

 ram, as we would be done by, so he 

 had returned the good deed to us ; but 

 there is yet a mystery, and that is, who 

 did shoot the sheep ? 



AMATEUR PHOTO BY E. C, THATCHER. 



QUAILS IN THE STUBBLE. 

 Winner of 38th Prize in Recreation's 6th Annual Photo Competition. 



