Part 31 (1/2)
”When?”
”Three years ago this summer.”
”Where?”
”Down in Pennsylvania. It was after we left Bloomsburg, I think, I picked 'im up along the road an' give 'im a ride on the tiger wagon.”
”How long did he stay with you?”
”Oh, I don't remember; four or five days, maybe.”
”What did he do?”
”Well, not much; ch.o.r.ed around a little.”
”Did he tell you where he came from?”
”No, nor he wouldn't tell his name. Seemed to be afraid somebody'd ketch 'im; I couldn't make out who. He talked about some one he called Gran'pa Craft two or three times w'en he was off his guard, an' I reckoned from what he said that he come from Philadelphy.”
”Where did he leave you?”
”Didn't leave us at all. We left him; played the desertion act on 'im.”
”Where?”
”At Scranton.”
”Why?”
”Well, he wasn't much use to us, an' he got sick an' couldn't do anything, an' the boss wouldn't let us take 'im no further, so we left 'im there.”
”Are you sure this is the boy?”
”Oh, yes! positive. He's bigger, an' looks better now, but he's the same boy, I know he is.”
”Cross-examine.”
This last remark was addressed to the defendant's attorney.
”I have no questions to ask,” said Goodlaw, ”I have no doubt the witness tells the truth.”
”That's all,” said Sharpman, quickly; then, turning again toward the court-room, he called:
”William Buckley!”
Bachelor Billy arose from among the crowds on the front benches, and made his way awkwardly around the aisle and up to the witness-stand.
After the usual preliminary questions had been asked and answered, he waited, looking out over the mult.i.tude of faces turned toward him, while Sharpman consulted his notes.
”Do you know this boy?” the lawyer asked, pointing to Ralph.
”Do I know that boy?” repeated Billy, pointing also to Ralph, ”'deed I do that. I ken 'im weel.”