The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-05-16

oihouSI tue squire. Ills physical lie
could not be saved, if he would, thought
the squire His physical life could rot
be saved, OF course, the squire knew
that no matter how fair a trial he might
receive, there was but one verdict ever
returned in such cases. And the squire
usually acquiesced III the verdict for
the squire was a just man himself, and
believed that justice, should be done to
others. But though man must destroy
the body, there was no reason why the
soul should perish too, the squire
argued; and whether he regarded it
from the spiritual or the economic
stand point, there seemed to him some
thing sadly wasteful about the loss of
soul.
The prisoner was sad thief, but per-
haps the penitent thief on the cross was
no worse. Besides, thought the squire,
with unfeigned meekness and prudence,
Whose converteth sinner from his
ways shall save a soul from death, and
cover multitude of sins - and the
squire was too firm believer in human
deprayity not to feel that he had many
sins which were devoid of covering.
prisoner, said the squire, giving
the fire poke. as if to have its lurid
glare suggest the sinners final doom,
"pears sure, from what we hear, that
you've tried about ev'ry tack in the
world but one-all but one"
At the squires first words, the pris-
oner quickly turned his head and looked
intently at the old man. The squire's
face was worthy study for any one,
but 1t seemed rather odd to Hoxford
that a man whose life was in danger
should regard human nature as closely
and inquisitively as the prisoner seem
ed to do In fact, his gaze seemed so
piercing, for moment, that the good
old man abandoned the sword of the
! splrlt, as a defensive weapon, and hasti-
ly changed the position of his pistol I'M
til the muzzle thereof pointed directly
at the prisoners head. The prisoner
finally dropped his eyes and asked:
What tack's that?"
" Repentance, replied the squire, in
Il tone which ought to have carried con-
vlction to the hardest heart. "And, :"
continued the squire, again stirring the
fire and eagerly scanning the prisoners
cOuntenance to see what effect his words
had made, "now's a good time to try
it. You amt likely to have your mind
distracted by anything else for an hour
or two besides, III case of any accident
Detailing you soon, you'll find the re-
suits of repentance very handy"
"Think so, do yer?" growled the
prisoner, trying to rest himself by
throwing his bound hands over his
knees. "Wish't would soften these in
fernal strips Of bark around my wrists
| I'll t,y - mi u,1I 4 -
"'Twon't do it, said the squire,
with glance Of philosophic satisfac-
ton at the extempore handouts.
9 They're like mans sins,-soft and
easy at first, but hurt when they get
old, and commence to get a good tight
grip on you. Dye see?-1t's only"
The squire suddenly looked across the
prisoners head at Hoxford, cts only
! Justice.
The collegian groaned and closed his
eyes. He had been glad when the APP
pearance of Pete put an end to the dis
cussion during the afternoon for he
! had grown very weary of it. Now the
idea of having it revived was simply
dreadful. Happily, the prisoner came
to his rescue, and said with a snarl
90 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 p
I'm afraid YOU Will, said the
squire, with a dubious shake of the
| head.
AN that's what you're prospectin
around my soul for, eh?"
"Jes' SO, said the squire. g Some
folks might say, Am | my brothers
| keeper ] say | am, and | want to
| save you.
:" Then cut me loose, and let me go,
said the prisoner, in low but very
fierce tone. It'll take coed deal of
time to repent of all I've gotto be sorry
for. If you be yer brothers keeper,
why don't yer give his soul a chance?
! It's all internal nonsense If yer he'd
real brotherly feelin'. like flesh an
| blood's got, you'd let me loose instead
| bfoke, which yUu know will be done. :"
Jestice must be done" said the
! squire. A." God is just man must be.
| l1f you was my brother accOrdin' to the
! flesh, I'd do what I'm doing now, tough
as 'twould be. Eff you was nearer to
me, eft you was my son, I'd do 1t. Thar
was Ezry, my only son, lost overheard
one season when we wuz mackrilin' !
loved him a mighty sight better'n [ low
ed myself, and yet eff Ezry was alive,
and here III your boots, an expectin' to
be called for as soon, I'd do what I'm
doing now; I'd exhort him, and plead
with him, but I'd keep close eye on
him; ana eff he was guilty, how could [,
pledged hater of sin, keep from con-
| demnin' him ?"
The prisoner changed his position,
stared doggedly in the fire, aud, after
I moment, exclaimed
Condemn away, then I'm Ezryw
The squire dropped his revolver, and,
leaning forward, raised the prisoners
hat, and looked for the first time at the
white face of the prisoner Then he
| hurriedly glanced at Hoxford the Eng
lishman was snoring. The squire opened
the door of the hut and looked out into
! the starlight, but he saw DO one. Then
the squire put his hands in his pocket.
took out his knife, and commenced to
cut the prisoners bonds with such en-
ergy that the prisoner WINGED.
| Hurt We, boy?" whispered the
squire, hastily Withdrawing the knife,
and sharpening it at the bottom of his
boot then I'll take it out easy, ashav-
in ct a time.
Il was picked MP by a whaler." said
Ezry. in an apologize undertone, can
as we never spoke anything goin' East
! that nd take a man without money,
| STAYED on her for q wear or two