Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-01
VOL XLvIL NEW SERIES, VOL. Xxx.

SERIES, VOL. Xxx.
law. Public safety demands that we deal
with him according to the letter ofthe law"
expostulated the leader, more moved than he
cared to acknowledge.
A superb scorn overswept the woman's
features. Bending to touch the dog with
her hand, the huge creature drew himself
erect, angry and bristling, with his lips
drawn threateningly back from his formida-
bic teeth. Then boldly throwing open the
cabin door she pointed with upraised finger,
still holding the deadly weapon aimed full
at the leaders breast. A scathing contempt
rang in her words
Does that man look like cut-throat?
Can you all, looking inside this cabin. tell
me that you are afraid to spare him to his
wife and children this one last night?''
She paused moment, glancing swiftly
around the circle of dark faces pressing
close upon her. The tabloau within show
ed Lot, crouchlng upon a low camp stool,
pale, disorlered, and shaking with terror,
clasping in his arms his youngest born the
girls, firm and fearless as their mother,
were planted at his knees while between
him and the door, the ten-year-od, with a
dilapldated chair, as a rest, stood behind his
fathers rife.
The she-bear and her cubs were grit to
the backbone.
Who are you?' she cried, eloquently
gestieulating to the crowd with her unoccu-
pied hand, - that take the business of the
Almighty into your own hands, and send
the souls he has made unbIdden into his
presence, without a prayer for mercy?
Which would be the better, you or lin?
Leave him to us this.night, and as surely
as there is a heaven above Us, in the morning
you shall come in without hindrance You
can guard the cabin. There is no dan .er he
will escape your'
There was a murmur among the ''yigi-
lantes.' Their task was harder one than
they were prepared to execute; and per-
haps thought Of wives and children at
home moved them a little to this unwonted
leniency. \ brief conference, and the lead
ersaid;
% Have your way Make the most of
your time Wen not disturb you until
morning.
. You are not deceiying me p she said.
watching the while with eyes which seemed
to pierce like sharp steel points.
\ hoarse murmur ran through the crowd.
No No Fair play"
For moment the woman's strength
seemed to fail, and she leaned heavily against
the easement another, and she disappeared
within. the faithful dog following, protect
ingly close behind
The men biyouacked around the cabin,
disposing of themselves for the night, two
or three appointed sentinels keeping vigi-
liant watch. The other members of the
camp, unable TO sleep, had kept wakeful
vigil using our little influence and knowl-
edge of the accused's inofiensive disposition
to mitigate, if possible, the prejudice which
we found greater than the real weight of
evidence against him.
In an affray two men had been stabbed
one seriously, one fatally; and Lots hand
held a bloody knife. Innocent men have
been hanged even after full Judicial trial,
under circums:antial evidence far less con-
yincing than this.
~ the night wore away restlessly paced
the camp. An occasional sound came from
the guarded cabin, but otherwise all was
still.
Once, about midnight, after 4 prolonged
scratching at the door. ii was opened 10 let
out the dog. \ stream Of ligh. flashed out;
but caught no glimpse of those within.
The dog. poor fellow, rs though his canine
spirit seemed to comprehend the fatal dan
ger impending over those he loved, with
dropping head, pendent tail, SUNK through
the open space.
" Good Lion Poor fellow Come herel"
called.
He lifted his head at the sound of my
voice, raised his muzzle mourniully in the
air, then dropping i; again, went on, soon
disappearing in the adjacent ehaparral
At the first faint streak Of day the '' yisi-
lantes" bestirred themselves, and in kn Is
discussed the grave business before them
The excitement of the past night had worn
away. and in these calmer moments not one
Of those most ca ger for duty then, but wish
ed himself relieved the painfulresponsibility
deyolying upon HIM.
There was yet no sign Of life about the
cabin.
Never, think. did the solemnity Of the
occasion appeal more foreibly to the hearts
Of the .. ygilantcs" They were confident
terribly confident the prisoner would
/ be found guilty. With voices Subdued, and
| quiet mien tacy awaited the action of their
| leader. who humanely postponed to the last
possible moment his Official summons.
Just as the suns disk appeared above the
horizon, three of the committee advancing
knocked upon the door With eyes red and
swollen with weeping. Lots wife opened
| it wide
With a sickening sensation | fail to de
scribe, awaited what was to follow \
suggestive rope lay where it had been thrown
at the foot of a neighboring tree. With
shudder ! recalled the many times Lot had
sat under the shadow Of it, branches, his
children playing about his knees.
Chris and George had followed at the heels
of the other party.
4 resounding slap upon the shoulder near
" sent ne reeling to the earth.
=. By the great Moses. that little woman's
o brick,''
=. What is it, Chris ;" asked in aston
isluaent for his lively tone was anything
but appropriate for the occasion.
" Come and see!' and seizing me by the
arm. he commenced dragging me toward
! Lots cabin.
4 sudden revelation came to me; Lot had
committed su icidel Well, better 50 than
the hangman's moose!
Entering the cabin priSon,a singular spec
/ tacle presented AStll- Aii' Npuiii-ie'NN
in a disnayed group in the centre OF the
room: while Lots wife, stern and reSolute
no longer. bent over the huge dismantled
carcass of poor Lion. Gone was the nerve;
the rassion and power, which had, the night
previous. supported and lifted her above her
/ sex. Palmer, more meagre, If possible,
there was yet something touching IN her
weakness; perhaps because it was 50 iorelgn
to her nature.
Lifting her woe-begonc countenance as
/ approached, she exclaimed brokenly:
= I'd Il most rather died than a done 1t :
bat there wasn't no other way
Hardly had the news Of the escape spread
through the camp, when horseman, riding
at break-neck speed came, in the midst OF a
cloud of dust, flying up the trail. In his
hand he bore a white 81 ignal, which he per-
sistently waved as he advanced. Dash
ing into camp. he threw himself breathless-
lv into the midst of the "Nigiantes."
" Where's the man you were going tc
hang?"
- Escaped"
- Thank God for he didn't do it Frisco
Bill has confessed the de ed -
Then the cheers that rang out might al
most have rent the heavens in twain, but Lot :
wife, alone with her sleeping children
crouched in mournful sil snce over the Torn
of her poor, dumb sacriiice-silent and faith
ful even unto death.-Ldk eside Monthly.
GOsslpped Apsrt.
1t is one of the most difficult things II