Mark Manning's Mission

ut the knowledge of what had happened in the pasture had its effect upon him. He thoug

er," he said politely. "Di

rately. "I have a little busi

" answered James. "Come

e-and followed James, who opened the

" he said. "I had no i

gentleman to be polit

ountable manner. "I'm glad you think so. It's a great thing to

ifferently. "But not as much

in' and fishin' in the ci

id the disagreeable old man mean?

either," he said. "But

eacon Miller into the back room, which was

, who, having political aspirations, thought

en you know what I come about," retu

ws, I hope

d news. You know m

king puzzled. He had heard nothing a

afternoon-her eyes totally dest

acon. It must be a great disappointment t

w that could beat her. She w

eparing for him. It will be observed that the deacon, finding he had a case against a rich man, ha

to lose it. The one that sho

her?" asked S

s," answered th

sed. He was not a man who liked to part wit

shoot the cow?" h

did," replied the

did it then. Did h

n't ask him

at you have no case against him, and I am

it!" remarked the d

was

n Do

is a mere boy," said th

as you or I, squire," s

and the squire felt that he

ot tell the truth,

said the deacon. "Wouldn't it be jest as well t

away, but was anxious about the deacon's errand. When

said. "If you're aske

bed and uneasy, a

bed spirit. He stole a glance at the deacon, who

me, father?"

that some one has shot his cow, old Whitey, this afternoon,

hear it," said

know who

" asked James,

astur' this afternoon?" a

s, "Tom Wyman and I

on your s

admitte

y?" continued the deacon, persever

re I remember; I suppose

off while you wer

it did. It went

t old W

t that. It may not

t know that yo

the pasture this afterno

t that. Tom Wyma

ut gunning most all the afternoon. Have

the deacon; "he

d James, more confidently. "He's ju

ed the deacon; "though Mark's a middli

?" asked James, with

a boy saw it done, and

" asked James, all his

n Do

artling new

ay did it," he for

d Deacon Mille

I did it," said

om Wyman ran away as fast as your legs cou

t said nothing. It was clear enoug

find James shot your cow, we will make some arrangement about payment. Underst

r now, squire," said th

of carelessness, but whatever compensation is paid to the

undred and fifty dollars in the bank, an

nto the yard

has been telling tales about me. The fir

ht, too, little te

store for him, but he was soon t