Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-06

was giving in; "Briar had bet tbre dat -
two on the Squire, an he'd like to ret tho
hang of the dOg-goned thingn Rnt tho
Squire quickly treasured Briar bv ex1
claiming: "a
"God looks not upon sin with the least
degree of allowance -o''''
Aw-keeping mercy for thousands,
Hox1ord was not allowed to finish his
reJolnder, tor some one interrupted him
by loudly shouting:
Thar comes Peter"
Ihat man is the noblest work
OF GOD, and that mule is, despite GER
tain eccehIr!cltleS, very useful ami
maj, are fair expressions of current
OPINION; but even after allowing all
consideration due both beings, a STRANGER
at Pitts Gulch would have been at a loss
to understand why whole camp fnl1 of
able-bodied men should become absorbed
In the contemplation of a man and q
mule descending the trail which crossed
the hill from Green Flat Such was the
action of the Pitts Gulchites, however.
and as Pete and his animal approached
the whole crowd gathered at the foot of
the trail and exhibited many symptoms of
anxiety. Finally, Topsell the sailor
who had the strongest voice in camp,
roared-
Got hims"
You bet!" screamed Pete. The miners
glanced at each other with countenances
iull OF satisfaction, not without spice of
indignation. Then Topsell roared-
What did they do with him?"
"Sendin' him back here-think it's
where he belongs" screamed Pete, in re-
ply,
"P'raps you're goin' in for mercy for
h&n?' said the Squire, looking keenly
yet humorously at Hoxford from beneath
mis- heavy brows. Here's Moonlight
a-comin' back here-he stole Bill Browns
pile, busted in the store-door, an helped
himself; put hole through sick man
when the poor chap tried to save his last
liquor (strictly medicinaD, an knocked
lame man off of his mule SOS to steal the
animal He's prime subject for iestice,
'cordin' to old-fashioned ideas, but |
spose We think mercy's the thing for him
-eh?"
The Squire's eyes, as well as all other
eyes in the crowd, rested steadily on Hox-
ford, and the wrangler seemed so dis
concerted that the men who had
backed him fastened to hedge" His
countenance finally frightened as he took
advantage of stale saw
''Aw- takes an exception to prove the
rule you know" said he Just put me
on the jury that tries him"
Jury that tries him." echoed Brian,
with an oath that made the Squire shud-
der. Hes ben tried, he hez. Mebbe yer
ken guard him till he's wanted; but that
won't be long"
The Squire hastily turned on Briar
look which made the professor of knife
and pistol involuntarily retreat step or
two.
"Jestice is bad enough for him. said
the old man. earnestly. Nobody med
dies with him until he gets fair trial; if
they do, may have to fire my first shot"
A thousand men like Briar, acknowl-
edged ruler of Pitts Gulch though he
was, could not have collected between
them grace enough to habilitate an ordi-
nary church member; but the rowdy en-
Enthusiastically admired the mans pluck,
so he replied, with a laugh and an oath
CAL right, Squire You and Hoxford
must guard him till then, though, to pun
ish you for gittin' up so much jaw in
camp, an keepin' men from work. He's
comm, tOo''
Again all eyes were turned towards the
trail, and they saw, just crossing the hill,
a man walking with his head bowed, and
his hands behind his back, while close
behind him were two men who had pis-
tolls in their hands. The crowd gazed
earnestly and curiOusly, for The robber
had not been one Of the regular deniZens
Of the camp; and although his fame had
spread up and down the creek, the only
Pitts Gulchites who had seen him We're
lame Pete, whose mule he had stolen, and
old Mills, whose flask he had snatched
The prisoner did moi seem at all proud of
his reputation, for even the most indus
triOus staring towards the place where
his face should have been was rewarded
only by full view of the crown Of his
hat
AS the three men reached the foot of
the trail, and the crowd stood dumbly
gaping, as is the manner of men when
each man present is waiting for some one
else to speak, the Squire stepped briskly
time in idle staring; time was money;
time was a season in which to prepare tor
eternity, and how should he be prepared
to die if he failed to use his time about
his Masters work? He elbOwed his
comrades aside, faced the prisoner, and
said:
"Hain't a vely respectable bizness
you've been in, my friend"
The prisoner quickly raised his eyes
very keen, expressive eyes they seemed
for a moment, and looked inquiringly at
the Squire; then he dropped his head
again, and remained silent.
''Ef the Squirrels goin' to jaw religion"
said Brian, hastily taking a bite from a
plug of tobacco, II guess I'll git. I've
heerd it all before, we know, Squire-nO
offence meant. You an Hoxford lux out
for him; mebbe eft yer take turns argyin'
with him, he'll be punished all that's
necessary"
Several other miners seemed to be of
like mind with Briar: and as the prisoner
neither offered to fight, run away, confess,
or drink, the whole crowd soon lost inter
est in him, and sauntered off, leaving
Moonlight in charge of the Squire and
the collegian These two gentlemen es-
corted the prisoner into the Squire's hut,
and invited him to sit down, or lie
down as best suited him; but the alacrity
with which the Squire produced revol-
yer from bundle of clothing seemed to
neutralize, in the prisoners mind, all
pleasing impressions induced by the
Squire's hospitality.
| The prisoner sat down on the floor IN
front of the fire, and the Squire and Hox-
| ford seated themselves on either side OF
him. The prisoner seemed absorbed IN
| CONTEMPLATION of the toes OF his boots
| doxford steadily watched the prisoner
hands. lest he should attempt to unloose
them; but the Squire intently regarded SO
much of the prisoners face as was unhlu-
den by his slouched hat and heavy beard.
l. "A . bod facn vet one that might