The next day Bart wakes up, he writes in his journal, 'So far nobody has caught me I am still in the clear! They will never find out! Now how stupid and dumb am I? They are going to feel like the dumb ones!'

One thing Bart did not know was that Nels Olsen and Charles knew that it was him.

Bart puts his journel with his school books and went to school before his parents had gotten up.

Later that morning Charles and Nels went over to the Slater's house to talk to them about Bart. Charles says, "Mr. and Mrs. Slater your son, Bart has been stealing the Outhouses from my place and the Town."

Mrs Slater said, "No that can't be because we are missing ours too and I know Bart would never steal from us."

Nels says I am a witness. I saw him last night outside loading the Town's outhouse into the wagon."

Mr Slater says, "I can't believe that Bart would do that but what are you going to do about it?"

Charles answers, "We have to hold him in the Icehouse until he goes to Court."

Mr Slater replies, "Do what you have too Mr Ingalls, but I still think he is innocent."

Back in Town Charles and Nels go into the schoolhouse and apologies to Mrs Wilder as they say, "Batholomew we are going to have to hold you in the Icehouse for stealing the Outhouses."

Bart says, "My name is BART! and wait I did not steal no Outhouse!"

All the children were looking at Bart. Albert whispers to Willie, "I hope he gets thrown in jail for good!"

Bart was getting angry, "Why do I have to be held in the Icehouse you don't have proof it was me!"

Nels says, "I saw you outside last night taking the Town's Outhouse."

Bart's face got all red and he started complaining, "You all hate me and just want to lock me up."

Charles and Nels take Bart and walked him out of the Schoolhouse as they were walking him out his pants fell and all the kids started laughing at him. Bart was so embarrassed that his face was red with anger.

Charles and Nels puts him in the Icehouse as Nels tells Charles, "I will call, Judge Adams."

"Hold up!" Bart says, "Don't I have the right to a lawyer? I want to speak to Adam Kendall."

Charles answers, "Yes Son, you have the right to a lawyer but remember Mr. Kendall is my son-in-law, but I will ask him to come talk to you."

An hour later Adam comes to the Icehouse to talk to Bart about his situation. He walks in Bart turns to face him, and says "Hello, Mr. Kendall nice to finally meet you".

Adam replies, "Likewise, now let's talk about your case".

Bart says "Ok I will start, I didn't steal the Outhouses. I don't care if they say they saw me do it.They have no real solid proof!"

Adam says, "Charles, my father in law told me that Mr. Olsen saw you and I will talk to Mr. Olsen but why should I believe you? Remember Mr. Olsen is a very important person in this Town, he is not known to lie, son."

Bart simply says "Because this whole Town is against me! I hate school, the kids are mean to me, no one ever takes time to get my name right, and everyone calls me stupid. I am never taken seriously, and my parents well their not so nice either."

Adam was busy jotting down what Bart said, he asks Adam, "Are you going to use that against me?"

Adam answers "Not sure but let's not worry about it now, you got a toughie case here, and I sort of like a challenge. It will be hard under the circumstances to prove to every one you are innocent you know."

Bart sighed a long and depressed sigh, He asks, "IF they find me guilty will they throw me in jail. I have no prior record of any kind will that give me some pull, maybe cut me some slack?"

Adam says "Not sure on that anything is possible, but being your age you could be tried as an adult, not like a younger person would".

Then Bart looks at the floor and then backs up at Adam and says "Can you please be my lawyer? My folks can't afford much and neither can I, but if I get off I will make sure you are paid back, I promise!"

Adam thinks for a moment, this is my second case for Walnut Grove. "I will defend you Bart but at the same time I will not forget my friends and family."

Adam and Bart then shakes hand. While shaking hands Adam says "It will sure be a challenge".

Bart replies, "Thank you for being my Lawyer."

Adam than says, "If the right Judge and Jury can be put together in your favor it could change the outcome. Remember I am your lawyer but can defend your to an extent."

"I understand," Bart responds.

Then Adam reminds Bart, "Bart remember don't lie under oath, if you do you will be punished for lying and that would also incriminate you further. Also you are 20 years old right? and will be tried as an adult."

Bart answers, "Not, yet I will be in 2 months."

Adam says, "you still of age and will be against you depending on who they have for a Judge".

Bart asks "Who is going to be the Judge?"

Adam answers, "Charles told me Nels called Judge Adams, he will be here Saturday morning."

Adam then leaves the Icehouse and Bart looks around for his journel but can't find it and thinks, "Man, I forgot my journaI in the schoolhouse I hope they don't find it! This is a big mess! Today being Thursday I have a little more than a day before Saturday morning when the Judge gets here."

What will happen next?

To Be Continued