The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-04-25

The following story-only the concluding
portion Of which we give-is told Of Judge
J., of jackson, Texas, and John Rolie,
backw oodsman Rolfe. a tall hunter,
dressed in deerskin. and armei with a re-
volyer, rifle and bowie knife. visits Jackson,
calls on the Judge at his residence with the
narrator) and thus relieves his mind:
..You see, Judge. early day before yes
terday morning, started for this place, and,
as | wouldn't chisel, l went without eating
the who's day. slept in the woods, and
yesterday morning | got up as hungry as a
panther as walked along, thinks [, what
am TO do? I never see game so scarce ;
there wasn't SO much as a squirrel to be
found. I'm above cheating any man out of
his dinner, bnt | felt that dinner must
have. Just then fellow came riding along
the road. talked to him. and tried to hor-
! row, swearing 10 pay ut any place he might
| name. in week !; but the critter told me he
paid his way out of his own pocket, and he
had too little to divide.
-. How much have you got = says I.
"'Two. fifty says he.
"Now, thinks |. that is too little to divide
So. when he was looking the other way. |
shoots him through the head, and gin him
as decent burial as | could under an old log,
and took The two dollars and half. But it
won't do; my conscience misgives me. I'm
sorry for it, and wish the fellow had his
money back, if he could be alive. Between
you and me, as il is late for that, think
ought to be hung"
The Judge called his little black boy. or
pered pipes and tobacco, and we smoked in
silence
:. Then you really think you ought to be
hung" he said with compassion, as he
whitfield cloud of smoke towards the CELL
ing.
4 do, in fact" answered Rolfe, emitting
similar volume Of vapor.
The Judge smoked. and considered again.
Well, Wen try to hang you.' he said
There was an expression Of gratitude in
Rolfe's eye. as he replied
Thank you. That will ease my con-
science,
The Judge knocked the ashes from his
pipe, and spoke:
"Well, come here in half an hour. I'll
have to get jury
Rolfe and myself, having laid our pipes On
the table, were about leaving, when the
Judge asked US to take drink. which hay-
ing done, we babe him good morning.
At the expiration Q. half an hour. we re-
turned, when we found some twelve men
drinking and smoking with the magistrate,
awaiting US. We were politely requested to
sit down.
"Now.' said the Judge, addressing him
self to Role. ",ell hese gentlemen what
you have already told me
Whereupon Rofe repeated the statement
he had before made.
Now, gentlemen" continued the first
speaker. i wish to say, If this gentleman
MIR. Rolfe, your name is. Ell Well, there
is some fine old brandy; make yourself
perfectly at home--whether, gentlemen, you
find John Rolfe guilty or not guilty Of muir
der. In addition to what he said will OBJ
serve for your information, that have sent
out and found the body just where he stated
II TO be"
The jury smoked, rose up. took little
brandy aui water, and then sat down again
and smoked in silence for some time. At
last one OF them, who appeared to be the
foreman, said:
1.-THE case is tolerably clear, and we
rather think he's guilty"
There's more tobacco on the table, said
the Judge to Rolfe, :. The best you can find
anywhere. You have heard what these
gentlemen have said Well" he continued,
II don't like to tell you IL my own house;
but"
Let that be no hiudrance, said Rolfe,
filling and lighting his pipe.
sWell, then" said the Judge, ''come here
at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, and III
have you hung
Rolfe looked disconnected. and appeared
mortified st the idea Of asking favor
"You--you have been so kind TO me, he
said. hesita'ingly, .that hardly like to ask
you for any thing more. /"
mot a, all, replied the Judge. "Out
with it; you are welcome to il before you
ask
.Well,' said Rclfe. II wish--,o- morrow
is my ague day, and the shakes come on at
ten-would you be SO kind as to hang me
at nine!"
"With the greatest pleasure" answered
the od-hearted Judge. shaking Rolie BY
the hand Niue it shall be-
Accordingly, John Rolfe went 70 the inn,
paid his bill, and the next morning was
hung % the clock struck nine.