New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-21

bout my sins. Think I'll go to the devil il
they hang me now, don't yerf'
"Pm AFRAID you will" said the squire
with dubious shake of the head.
"An' that's what you're prospectin
around my soul for, chi p
"Jes' sO,' said the squire. ''Some folks
might cay, Am my brothers keeperr
say 4 am and l want to save you"
y Then cut me loose, and let me CO. said
the prisoner in low but very fierce tone
..It'ii take a good deal of time t. repent OF
all I've got to be sorry tor IL you bs your
, brothers keeper. why dent yer give his
soul "a chance. It's all in!erna, nonsense
if yer he'd real brotherlv feelin', like flesh
an blood's got. you'd let me loose instead
of keep;n' me here to hev my neck broke,
which you know will be DONE
Justice must be DONE" said the squire.
"God is just; men must be. Ell you was my
brother accordin' to the flesh I'd do just
what l'p a dom now, tough AS 'twouid be.
| Ell you was nearer to me, ct you was my
sun, I'd do it. Thar was Ezry, my only son,
lost overheard one season when we was
machriiiu'; loved him a mighty sight bet
tern loved myself, and yet if Ezry VS.
alive ard here in your boots an expactin'
to be called for Jest as soon, Id do What I'm
doin' nov; I'd exhort him, and plead with
him, but I'd keep a close eye on him, and eff
he was guilty how could /, who am d
pledged hAter Of sin, Keep trum condemnin'
him :"
The prisoner Changed his POSITION stared
doggedy in tie FIRE, and, after moment.
exclaimed:
Condemn away, then; f'm Ezry!0
The Squire dropped his revolver end
| leaning forward. raised tae prisoners hat
ami looked for the first time at the white
face Of the prisoner Then he hurriedly
| glanced at Hoxtord; the EngishmaI was
snoring. The Squire opened the door of
| the hat and looked OUT into the starlight,
but he cav no one. Then the Squire put
his hands in his pocket, took out his knife
! and commenced to cut the prisoners bonds
| with such energy that the prisoner WINGED
! Hurt ye. boy r. whispered the Squire,
| hastily withdrawing the knife, and sharp
| ening ii on the bottom Of his boot; then
| III take it out easy. a shawl at a time"
u was picked up BY Il whaler," said Ezry,
| in an apologize under tone, IAN as We never
spoke anything g"iu' east that nd take a
man without money, stayed On her for I.
year or two. Then We got news of the
gold
:. That's eff," interrupted the Squire.
"Hungry. boyf -
Thirsty, msre'n anything else" replied
Ezry.
The Squire dashed into the bundle from
II
out a small flask labeled For Medi-
cine" which Ezry emptied almost at a sin-
gle draUght.
I'VE heard of the gold bcin' found"
resumed Ezry, as the old man stOoped and
cut thong which had been put on the
prisoners ankles to prevent his taking
very long steps, Fan the captain made for
Frisco, an We all come ashore an went for |
the mines"
WRISTS sore, Ezry" asked the old man,
lighting splinter of wood and examining |
his sons hands. Should think they WERE" |!
he continued. getting out a bottle Of lni- |
ment and fenderly rubbing some of it into |
the hard II iges on the prisoners wrists.
i've had the worst of luck, lost faith in |
luck an ev'ry thing else. I've been Knocked
around a abused; amt he'd no irends-got |
to hatin' 'rybody-weut to the devil
Yell 60 yet, Ezry;" sue gested the squire,
: eft we don't get away from here pretty
lively. Cold, boys"
"Shivery, like" replied Ezry, putting his
hands intn his pockets. and drawing his |
head down between his shoulders. IL hain't
he'd much 20 eat for good spell"
The squire threw blanket around his
boy. picked up small canvas bag. filled j.
with crackers and pork, looked cautiously
out Of the door once more, and whispered;
Now. let's leave"
Tue fire spluttered and flashed in the faces
of the two men, as for an instant Ezry
locked into his fathers face and whispered:
-" A mt you got two religions. dad F.
The squire looked sheepsh and started
for the door. just then Hoxford yawned,
slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Eary
stopped quickly and picked up the squirrels
pistol, but the old man soatched it from
llm, enchanting: Il
You amt one of the elect, Ezry. but I !
De; it's safer for me to do any shootin that's |
got to be done.
Hoxtord hastily dropped again, and
waved his hand deprecatinsiS, as he STAN
nered out:
"Aw-now-i say-noIe Of chat sort of
hing, you know; but-hut-'like as a father
'ifieth his children you know, Squire
b2"
The Squire giared at the Eng i-hman a
poment, then he stopped and pressed bis
and; a moment later Moonlight and his
ather were lost in the dai knees.
There was cOnsiderab BILE indignation in the
amp an nour or two aiterward, when q
eputati N of citizens called to conduct the
rlsoner before the tribunal W h ch had been
But when Hoxford, who h I'D :,
OF been aSleep at all, detailed the whole
Gene, The entire camp ca!De as near "a pos | d
bic to compromising felony by drinking
Ood lnek 10 the pair.-OH ard Ne,o.