Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-05-30

Q
elbow. The Squire dropped his eyes fo
moment, upon seeing which a Goddess
less youth implored Peel to tell him if the
Squire was giving in "Briar had bel
three to one on the Squire, and he'd like
to get the hang Of the ded goaned thing
But the Squire quickly reassured Briat
by exclaiming:
"God looks pot upon sin with the least
degree of allowance"
Jaw - keeping mercy for thous-
ands-"
Hoxford was not allowed to finish hi:
Njoinder, for some one interrupted him
by loudly shouting:
"Thar comes Pete ~
That man is the noblest work of God
and that a mule is, despite certain eccen
tricities, very useful animal, are fair OK.
pressions of current opinion but even
after allowing all consideration due both
beings, stranger at Pitts Gulch would
have beer at loss to understand why a
whole camp full of ablo-bodied men
should become absorbed in the contem.
plation of man and mule descending
trail which crossed the hill from Green
Flat. Such was the action of the Pitts
Gulchitcs however; and rs Pete and his
animal approached, the whole crowd
gathered at the foot of the trail and OK
hibited many symptoms of anxiety. FL
nally, Topsell, who had tho strongest
voice in the camp, roared:
"Got him ?"
"Iou bet !" screamed Pete. The min
ers glanced at each other with counte-
nances full Of Indignation. Then Topsell
roared
"What did they do with him ?"
Sending him back here--think it's
whore he belongs" screamed Pete, in
reply.
"P'raps you're goin' in for mercy for
him ?" said the Squire, looking keenly
yet humorously ut IIoxtord from beneath
his heavy brows. Here's Moonlight
a-comin' back hero-he stole Bill Browns
pile, busted in the store door, an helped
himself put hole through a sick man
when the poor chap tried to save his last
liquor (strikly medcaD an knock Il lame
man off Il mule SOS to steal the animal.
He's prime subject Cor justice, 'cordin'
to old fashioned ideas, but | spose We
think mercy's the thing for him--eh ?"
The Squire's eyes, us we'll as all other
eyes in the crowd, rested steadily on llox-
ford, and the wrangler seemed so discon-
certed that the men who had backed him
fastened to "hedge." His countenance
finally brightenod as he took advantage
Of stale say.
"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 l' echoed Briar,
with an ooth' which made the Squire
shudder. " He's been tried, he hez.--
Mebbe you can guard him till he's want
ed; but that won't be long"
The Squire hastily turned OH Briar n
look which made the professor of knife
and pistol involuntarly retreat step or
two.
"Jestice is bad enough for him." said
the old man earnestly. Nobody med
dies with him until no gets fair trial il
they do, may hev 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 10 habilitate an ordi-
nary church member; but the rowdy en-
Enthusiastically admired the mans pluck,
SO he replied, with laugh, and an oath
"All right, Squire. You and Hoxford
must guard him till then, though, tc
punish you for gittin' up such jaw in
camp, and keepin' men from work. He's
comm too"
Again all eyes were turned on the trail
and they saw, just crossing the hill, man
walking with his head bowed, and his
hands behind his back, while close be.
hind him were two men with pistols in
their hands. The crowd gazed earnestly
and curiously, for the robber had not beer
one Of the regular denizers Of the camp
and although his fame had spread up anl
down the creek, the only Pitts Gulchite
who had seen him were lame Pete, whos'
mule he had stolen, and old Mills, who's
flask he had snatched. The prisoner die
not seem at all proud OF his reputation
for even the most industrious staring to
wards the place whore his face SHOULD
have been was rewarded only by ful
view Of the crown of his hat.
AS the three men reach the foot Of TIN
trail, apd the crowd stood dumbly gaping
as is the manner of men when each mar
present is waiting for some one else Il
speak, the Squire stepped brislSly to thu
front. The Squire never wasted time il
idle staring; time was money; time was I
season in which TO prepare for eternity
and how should he be prepared to die
he failed to use his time about his Mas
ter's work lie elbowed his comrade
aside, faced the prisoner and said
"Hain't very respectable biziness yo'
have been in, my friend"
The prisoner quickly raised his eyes
very keen, expressive eyes they seemed
for moment, and looked inquiringly a
the Squire; then he dropped his hea'
again, and remained silent.
"Ef the Squire's goin to jaw religion,
said Briar, hastily taking bite from
plug of tobacco, guess I'll git. Nv
heard it all before, ye know, Squire-n
ofiense meant. You and Hoxford LUX ou
for him mebbe if yer take turns argyin
with him he'll he nunisbed all that's nee