Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

but this he refused to do, saying he would
not betray his friends If they had brokeu
the laws. Coming out, I told him he might
as we'll make his peace with Heaven, iorbc
would swing before noon tomorrow"
"And what did he say TO that?"
"That would hang an innocent man,
and that perhaps IL would not be the first
time had been the cause Of its being
DONE"
"I suppose he meant Bailey; and some
times I think that perhaps the man had
nothing TO do with that affair"
"whether he bad or not he was a villain
that the world was better for being rid of"
and having uttered this sage opinion, the
Judge turned to the bar, and ordered his
glass replenished.
Leaving the judge and his companions to
drink and further discuss the fate of their
prisoner, we will look into the cabin of the
former and see how it fares with its in
mates.
1t stood near the centre of the struggling
village and was the largest and most pre-
tentious of any, as IL well should be, to be
in keeping with the dignity OF its owner
1t was divided into three apartments-two
small sleeping rooms and large kitchen
and in the latter, before n bright blazing
fire sat Sam Jones, the man to whom was
confided the safe keeping of the prisoner.
The night was cool and he apparently had
come TO the conclusion that some other
| warmth was needed besides that afforded
by the fire; for on a bench near him sat a
bottle which every now and then he had re-
| t, ol 40, Il h;,,,
vast deal of satisfaction. While thus
caring for himself he did not forget the
comfort of the prisoner-for, once or twice
during the evening, he had gone to the
door, and opening it little way had asked
him TO drink, an invitation that had often
been refused.
There was another inmate of the kitchen
who also had the welfare of the prisoner at
| heart This was Katie Larkin, the Judges
only daughter. With face so pale that ii
looked almost like death she was moving
around, preparing supper for the captive
and his guard. Her father had said on go-
ing out that he should sup at the tavern,
but she was 10 see that those who remain
ed behind were well fed. This duty she
was trying to perform, and also striving as
best she could TO hide from her companion
the agitation that convulsed her frame.
Her task was ended at last. The repast
was ready, and set upon the table covered
with snow white cloth. The food de-
signed for the prisoner was set out by itself
in readiness. Jones set down the bottle he
was at tina, moment paying his attention TO,
and moved toward the table upon which
| 1o;I on1 ,,Ia Oh, l,
er noticed than he exclaimed:
"What Katie! amt you going to keep
me company? Put on another plate and
help me eat this capital supper you have
got up"
81 don't feel like eating tonight" said the
girl. my head aches and think I shall
| go to bed soon. The prisoners supper is
all ready. Amt you going to carry it in?'
"Not till I've had mine," answered the J
man, drawing up to the table, and COM
mencing fierce attack upon the viands.
"Twice tonight I've offered him drink,
and he refused; and now he may wait un-
ill l get done. By tomorrow noon it
won't make much difference TO him wheth-
er he eats first or last tonight"
The girl gave perceptible shudder at
this allusion TO the fate of the prisoner, and
her face, if it were possible, grew shade
paler; but she mastered her emotion by
determined effort, and then observed in as
careless manner as she could assume
at seems pity that his supper should
get cold, when, as you say, it is probably
the last one he will ever eat on earth. Can
not l carry ii TO him? would like to see
how le bears up under his misfortune"
''The judge told me TO let no one into the
room until he came back but don't sup
pose he meant 10 keep you out if you had
notion to go in. I'll run the risk, any way;
so go ahead with it if you want to-
"pll make il all right with father" an
swered Katie, as she took up the dishes
with trembling hand and turned toward
the door, while faint red glow burned on
her pale cheek. Removing the rude fasten-
| ings that had been extemporiZed for the c.
casion, she entered the room and the door
closed behind her.
A light was burning on the shelf, reveal
ing the prisoner sitting on a rude bench in
one corner of the apartment, his elbows
resting on his knees and his face buried in
his hands and so occupied was he with
the gloomy thoughts that weighed down
his spirit, as he reflected upon his terrible
situation, that he heard not the light foot
steps of Katie, until she was standing be-
fore him and had called in low voice
civilian r.
With start the young man look ed up
and a look of joyful surprise for moment
beamed upon his face as he saw who his
visitor was but it died away as he noted
the pale, sad face bent down upon him.
"Katie, am so glad you have come" he
said.
She set down his supper upon a table
close beside him, and then stood gazing
down upon his upturned face with sorrow
full eyes.
"Katie, Katie, speak to me. You do not
think me the villain they have taken me
for? ?"
The words were spoken earnestly, but
not so loud that they could have reached
the ears of the guard without, had he been
on the alert.
civilian, are you innocent? Tell me
the truth, as you hope for pardon from
your God. Do you, or do you not, belong
to this gang of which your father is the
leader2"
"As I hope for happiness here and
hereafter, | am innocent of the crime
of horse stealing. Today | was caught
with some of the gang, as we were out on
a hunt; and purposely left their company
and allowed my captors to come up. They
would not believe but that was a horse
thief; and one man even went so far as to
swear he had plainly seen me ride Off with
horse that belonged to him. This mad
dened the whole party; and, had it not
been for the presence of the judge they
would have hung mo on the snol As IL