Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-06
every tack in the world but one-all but

At the Squire's first words the prisoner
quickly turned his head, and looked in
tently at the old man The Squire's face
was worthy study for any one, but it
seemed rather odd to Hoxford that man
whose life was in danger should regard
human nature as closely and inquisitively
as the prisoner seemed to do. In fact, his
gaze seemed so piercing, for a moment,
that the good old man abandoned the
sword Of the spirit, as defensive weapon
and hastily changed the position of his
pistol until the muZzle thereof pointed
directly at the prisoners head. The pris-
oner finally dropped his eyes, and asked:
What tack's that?''
Repentance" replied the Squire, in a
tone which ought to have carried convic
ton to the hardest heart. "And," con-
tlnued the Squire, again stirring the fire,
and eagerly scanning the prisoners coun-
tenance to see what effect his words had
made, "now's good time to try it on.
You amt likely to have your mind dis
tracted by anything else for an hour or
two; besides, in case of any accident
Detailing you soon, you'd find the results
OF repentance very handy"
Think so, do yer?" growled the pris-
oner, trying to rest himself by throwing
his bound hands over his knees. wish
'twould soften these Internal strips of
bark around my wrists-I'd try it, mighty
sudden"
"Twon't do it," said the Squire,
with glance Of philosophic satisfaction
at the eXtempore handouts. THEY'RE
like mans sins-soft and easy at first,
but hurt when they get old, and com
mence to get good tight grip on you
Dye see-it's only" The Squire sud-
denly looked across the prisoners head,
at Hoxford-"it's only justice"
The collegian groaned and closed his
eyes. He had been glad when the appear
ance of Pete put an end to the discussion
during the afternoon, for he had grown
very weary of it. Now the idea of hav-
ing it revived was simply dreadful. Hap
PLY, the prisoner came to his rescue, and
said. with a snarl:
so, yes-I see. S'pose yer think yer
dom me kindness now, badgerin' me
bout my sins. Think III go to the devil
if they hang me now, don't yer?"
Pm afraid you WILL" said the Squire,
with a dubious shake of the head
An that's what you're prospectin'
round my soul for, eh?''
'Jes' So" said the Squire. "Some
folks might say, Am l my brothers keep
err" l say, am and | want to save
you.''
Then cut me loose, and let me CO."
said the prisoner, in a low but very fierce
tone. It'll take a good deal of time to
repent of all I've got to be sorry for If
you be yer brothers keeper, why don't yer
give his soul a chance? It's all Internal
nonsense; if ser he'd real brOtherly feelin',
like flesh an blood's got, you'd let me
loose, instead Of keepin Inc here to hev
my neck broke"
Justice must be done,' said the Squire
God is just; men mast be. Eff you aoas
my brother accordin' to the flesh, I'd do
just what I'm adoin' now, tough as
It would be. Eff you was nearer to HE, eff
you was my son, I'd do it. Thar was
Ezry, my only son, lost overheard one
season when we wuz mackrllin'; | loved
him mighty sight better'n | loved my
self; and yet, if Ezry was alive, and here,
in your boots, an expectin' to be called
for jest as soon, I'd do what I'm a-doin'
now; I'd exhort him, and plead with him,
but I'd keep close eye on him; and eff
he was guilty, how could |, who am a
pledged hater of sin, keep from condemn
in him -
The prisoner changed his position,
stared doggedly into the fire, and ex-
claimed:
condemn away, then; I'm Ezry"
The Squire dropped his revolver, and,
leaning forward, raised the prisoners hat
and looked, for the first time, at the whole
of the prisoners face. Then he hurriedly
glanced at HoXford; the Englishman was
snoring. The Squire opened the door of
the hut and looked out into the starli ght,
but saw no one. Then the Squire put his
hand in his pocket, took out his knife,
and commenced to cut the prisoners
bonds with such energy that the prisoner
WINGED.
Hurt We, boy" whispered the Squire,
hastily Withdrawing the knife, and sharp
enng it on the bottom of his boot; then
I'll take it out easy, Shawn at time"
Il was picked up by whaler,' said
Ezry, in an apologize undertone; IAN as
we never spoke anything goin' east as ud
take a man without money, stayed on
her for year or two. Then we got news
of the gold,
That's off, interrupted the Squire
Hungry, boy?"
"Thirsty, more'n anything else," replied
Ezry.
The Squire dashed into the bundle from
which he had taken his pistol, and
brought out very small flask labelled
For Medicine" which Ezry emptied
almost at single draught.
1--WE heard of the gold bein' found" re
sumed Ezry, as the old man stopped and
cut thong which had been put on the
prisoners ankles to prevent his taking
very long steps, can the captain made fol
Frisco, an we all come ashore an went
for the mines"
"WriStS sore EZrV?n asked the old man
lighting a splinter of wood and examin
ing his sons hands Should think they
were he continued, getting out bottle
of liniment, and tenderly rubbing some OF
it into the hard ridges on the prisoners
wrists.
"I've had the worst of luck; lost faith
in luck, an ev'rything else. I've been
knocked around an abused amt he'd nc
friends-got to hatin' ev'rybody-went tc
the devil"
"Ye'll go yet, Ezry," suggested the
Squire, "ef we don't get away from here
pretty lively. Cold, boy?"
"Shivery, like replied Ezry, putting
his hands into his pockets and drawing
his head down between his shoulders
Il hain't he'd much to eat fur a good
spell"
The Squire threw blanket around his
boy, picked up small canvas-bag, filled
it with crackers and pork, looked eau
tiously out of the door once more and
whispered:
"Now let's leave"
The fire sputtered and flashed in The
faces of the two men, as for 8 instant
| Ezrv looked into his fathers face, anC
whispered: