Read Online Mississippi River Blues by Tony Abbott - Free Book Online

bushes that lined the walk. The villagers headed into the churchyard, whispering as they trudged up the path, about the sad doings on the river, but went silent once they crossed the threshold and entered the church. Soon, the whole town was inside.
    We crept to the door and peered in.
    â€œI can’t remember when the church was so full before,” said Joe.
    â€œI can’t remember the last time I was in it,” said Huck with a chuckle. “And now it’s too late, because I’m dead.”
    â€œYou’re not actually dead,” said Frankie.
    â€œOh, right,” he said. “I keep forgetting.”
    Tom seemed to want to laugh, but his eyes caught sight of Aunt Polly and his half brother Sid and half sister Mary all in black. They sat next to the Harpers, who were also in completely black outfits.
    â€œI almost want to cry for those poor kids,” I said.
    Frankie grunted. “Devin, we’re not dead.”
    The preacher stood at the pulpit and began to speak.
    It was a sorrowful speech. The minister talked about Tom and Joe and even Huck. He remembered incidents in their lives that showed how sweet and generous they were, what noble and fine children they were.
    The congregation became more and more moved as the minister went on, until at last the whole group broke down and wept in loud wails and sobs. Even the minister began crying in the pulpit.
    â€œThe time is right,” said Tom. “And here we … go!”
    With that, Tom pushed open the doors with a bang, and he and Huck and Joe strode in, all grins and smiles.
    The minister raised his eyes from his soggy handkerchief and stood frozen in the pulpit. First one and then another pair of eyes followed the minister’s, and then the whole congregation rose together and stared.
    â€œThe three dead boys!” someone whispered.
    â€œThey’re marching up the aisle!”
    â€œThey’re—alive!”
    Aunt Polly, Mary, and the Harpers threw themselves on the boys and almost smothered them nearly to death with kisses and hugs and stuff.
    The minister shouted at the top of his voice: “Sing! Sing the hymn, ‘Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!’ Sing, I say! And put your hearts into it!”
    And everyone did. The sound was amazing. As if everyone had trained to be an opera singer, the sound of everybody singing somehow sounded really beautiful.
    And while the song shook the rafters of the church, Tom turned to us and said, “What a day for us pirates! What a homecoming for a band of cutthroats!”
    Becky Thatcher nearly hugged Tom herself. She settled for proclaiming that she would have a great picnic to celebrate the boys’ homecoming.
    â€œIt’s a great day,” I said. “We’re alive. Talk about fun, fun, fun? This is terrific!”
    But Frankie pulled me aside and gave me a look.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” I asked.
    â€œSomething we forgot about is coming back. Something not so great and fun.”
    She opened the book to the next chapter. I read the first line. I gasped.
    â€œThe murder trial of Muff Potter!”

Chapter 13
    No sooner had everyone finished cheering about Tom and the boys being alive, than they started gossiping about the trial getting ready to start.
    â€œIt’s all Muff Potter, Muff Potter, Muff Potter on the street,” Huck said, when we met at the courthouse the next day.
    Tom shook his head slowly. “I reckon he’s a goner. I sure feel sorry for him sometimes.”
    â€œMuff’s always been good to me,” said Huck. “He gave me half a fish once when there wasn’t enough for two. He loafs around, of course, but we all do that.”
    â€œI’m even an expert loafer myself,” I said.
    â€œHe’s mended kites for me,” said Tom. “And helped me knot hooks on my fishing line.”
    Frankie frowned. “Maybe we could break him out?”
    Tom and Huck both shook