Saturday morning about 9:30, Bart was a nervous wreck, since he's going to trial. while Adam and Bart were standing outside of the Church/School that was being used as the Courtroom, Bart's Pa came up the steps, as he says "Mr. Kendall I would like to speak to Bart alone in private please?"

Mr. Kendall, says "Yes of course, but don't be too long we start in a half hour."

Bart and Mr. Slater go for a little walk. Bart's Pa says, "Son, you done your Ma and I wrong, so wrong!"

Bart says with a tear in his eye, "I'm sorry Pa, but the kids in school, were... mean..."

Mr Slater replies, "It makes no difference stealing is wrong."

Bart tries to plea but it does no good, his Pa says "If you go to jail don't bother coming back when you get out! You hear me boy! Don't come back!"

With that Bart's Pa left and went on inside, leaving Bart by himself stunned.

Adam goes up to Bart, "Time to go in." As they go in and head up to the front to get their seats Mr. Slater just glances at his son in disguise. Mrs. Slater has a worried look on her face.

It's now 9:50am and right before the Judge came in Bart asks, "Mr. Kendall, so what do we do when the Judge comes in?"

Adam answered, "We stand until they say you may be seated."

Charles and his family as well as Laura and Almanzo and the Olsen's behind them. They all sat in the pews.

When the Judge was ready to come in Rev. Alden says, "Please stand up for the Honorable Judge Adams."

Everybody stood up and Judge Adams comes in and sat at the desk at the front. Then he said, "You may all be seated."

Everyone is seated and Judge Adams says, This is the case between Bartholomew Slater and the Town of Walnut Grove for stealing Outhouses. May you stand up Bartholomew."

Bart stood up and so did Adam. Judge Adams says, "I hear that you are representing Bart in Court today."

Mr. Kendall answers, "Yes sir."

Then Judge Adams turns to Bartholomew and asks, "How do you plead?"

Bart answers, "Guilty your Honor but I was forced to do so by the way I was treated!"

"Ok," Judge Adam replies, "We will hear all sides of it and determine since you pleaded guilty what couse of punishment you will have. Is this understood?"

Bartholomew agrees, "Yes, your honor."

"You may be seated," Judge Adams says.

Then Judge Adams says, "Mr. Kendall, We shall begin, Mr. Kendall, call your first witness."

Adam walks up to the front and he calls Nels Olsen to the stand. Nels comes up to the stand and raises his right hand the Judge asks, "Do you solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence you shall give to be the truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

Mr Olsen answers, "Yes."

Judge Adams says, "You may be seated."

Adam asks, "What were you doing on the night that you saw Bartholomew Slater outside by the Outhouse?"

Nels answers, "I was up taking inventory of what I had in the store on what supplies I needed to order."

Adam asks, When you saw Bartholomew what was he doing?"

Nels answered, "I saw him by the Town's outhouse loading it into his wagon."

"How long was Bartholomew there for?" Asked Adam.

Nels replies, "About 10 minutes he had difficulty putting it in the wagon he had something like a dolly that lifts heavy things."

Adam than asks, "Was there anybody else with Bartholomew?"

Nels answered, "No it was just Bartholomew. I was wondering why he was out there alone at midnight."

"Thank you Mr. Olsen", Adam Kendall says, That is all."

Judge Adams says to Mr. Olsen, "You may take your seat."

Adam calls Charles Ingalls to the stand and Judge Adams asks him the samething as he did to Nels, "Do you solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence you shall give be the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

Charles answers, "Yes, your Honor."

Judge Adams says, "You may be seated."

Adam says, "Mr Ingalls you said that your outhouse was the first one to be stolen, do you remember what happened that night?"

Charles says, "I do remember waking up to some noise because the chickens were making alot of noise so I thought maybe its a coyote. I looked but don't see anything so I went back to bed."

Adam asked, "What happened the next morning?"

Charles answered, "I was about to do my morning chores and noticed that my Outhouse was missing and told my wife Caroline. Then my son, Albert said he thought it might have been Bartholomew because he said he was going to get even."

Adam asks, "So you didn't see Bartholomew that night?"

Charles answers, "No I didn't."

Adam says, "Thank you, Mr. Ingalls, that is all for now."

Judge Adams says, "You may take your seat, Mr Ingalls."

It is now about 12 noon and Judge Adams dismissed the Court as he says, "You all are dismissed for lunch, be back at 2pm."

They all leave for lunch at Nellie's Restaurant.

Bart's Trail to be continued.