During lunch at Nellie's Albert tells Pa, "I am nervous about the trial and my testimony."

Pa says to Albert, "Don't worry son now just tell the truth you did nothing wrong."

Albert felt a little bit better and says, "Thanks Pa, I think I will take a little walk before heading back to Court."

Albert leaves Nellie's Restaurant to get a bit of fresh air and his thoughts together before testifying and he sees Judge Adams, "Hello, Judge Adams," Albert says.

Judge Adam says, "Hello, Albert ready for your part in the trial?"

Albert answers, "I suppose I might be."

Meanwhile in Nellie's Restaurant, Bart was feeling the same way. His Ma sat with him at lunch but Bart's dad refused to sit by him. Bart said, "Ma, I am sorry I hurt you can you please forgive me?"

His Ma says,"Bart, I will always forgive you, you are my son and I love you. Son your Pa loves you too but he will have a hard time forgiving you though. He is very angry that you did this."

About 1:30pm. Rev. Alden makes an announcement, "Court will start back up in a half hour."

Mr. Kendall goes over to where Bart is sitting with his Ma and asks, ''Ready to go, Bart?"

"Yes," Bart answers.

Outside on the steps of the Restaurant Albert is just about to go back inside when his Pa. says, "Son time to go back to Court are you ready to testify?"

"Yes Pa," Albert answers.

They are now seated in the Church/Courtroom. Judge Adam comes in and Rev. Alden says, "Please stand for the Honorable Judge Adams."

They stand, Judge Adams is at the front desk, he says, "You may be seated."

Once settled, Adam Kendall stands up and says, "I would like to call my witness Albert Ingalls to the stand please."

Albert walks up to the bench and takes his oath. he sits down, Adam questions him. He starts off," Albert when you started to work on your project how did you see Bart?"

Albert answers in a shaky voice, "I just thought of him as a slow learner not as fast or normal like the rest of us".

Adam replies "Did you ever make fun of him or give him any just cause to seek revenge?"

Albert says "Well, uh.. we often teased him from time to time about him being older than us and not graduating like normal and I also locked him in the Town's Outhouse."

Adam then asks "And you never thought of how it could of hurt his feeling or make him upset, so upset as to think of stealing?"

Albert answers, "Well, no not really, everyone made fun of Bart its just something we did!"

Adam then asks one more question, "Did you ever think of the consequences of teasing or what would of happened if you got caught teasing him?"

Albert answers "NO! I didn't! I just did what the other kids did! We all made fun of Bart! it was well, normal!"

Adam says "No further questions your Honor."

Judge Adams says "Albert you may step down."

Albert goes to his seat looks at the floor not being sure of himself.

Adam than calls Bartholemew to the stand Bart was very nervous. Rev. Alden sweared him in, "Do you solemenly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence you give will be the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

Bart answers, "Yes I do."

The Judge says, "You may be seated."

Adam asks Bart" What made you decide to start stealing all the Outhouses?"

Bart answered, "I did it out of revenge because the kids in school were making fun of me and my name and saying that I was stupid because I haven't graduated yet and almost 20 years old."

Adam says, "You made a journal about how you felt and when you started to steal the outhouses."

Bart replies, "Yes. I was feeling angry at everybody and at myself for still being in school and having a funny name and having the kids make fun of me." Bart was almost in tears as he was talking, "I did not mean to do it your Honor. I just meant it so the other kids wouldn't make fun of me and now I have messed up. I am sorry your Honor. I am sorry for making everybody angry at me. I just can't bare to go to jail. I am sorry."

Adam saw the tears in his eyes as Bart was looking at his dad and remembered what his dad had said before Court that if he goes to jail he is not welcome back home. That's when the tears rolled down his cheeks.

Adam says, "You may step down now Bart. Bart goes back to his seat.

Judge Adams says, "I am dismissing every one for a recess be back in a hour."

Everyone is dismissed then Judge Adams says to Mr. Kendall, ''Can we talk alone please?"

What will Judge Adams and Mr. Kendall talk about?

To Be Continued