Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-05-13

The prisoner quickly raised his eyes
very keen, expressive eyes they
seemed-for moment, and looked in
quiringly at the squire then he drop
ped his head again, and remained silent.
EFF the Squire's goin to jaw relig
ion, said Brian, hastily taking bite
from a plug of tobacco, Il guess I'll
git. I've heerd it all before, We know
squire,-no offence meant. You and
Hoxford LUX out for him; mebbe eff yer
take turns argyin' with him, he'll be
punished all that's necessary"
Several other miners seemed to be Of
like mind with Brian, and as the pris-
oner neither offered to fight, run away,
confess, or drink, the whole crowd soon
lost interest in him, and sauntered of,
leaving Moonlight in charge of the
squire and the collegian. These two
gentlemen, escorted 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 a revolver from bundle of
clothing seemed to neutralize, in the
prisoners mind, all pleasing impress
sions induced by the squires hospi-
tality
The prisoner sat down on the floor in
front of the fire, and the squire and
Hoxford seated themselves on either
side of him. The prisoner seemed ab-
sorbed in contemplation of the toes Of
his boots Hoxford steadily watched
the prisoners hands, lest he should
attempt to unloose them; but the
squire intently regarded SO much of the
prisoners face as was unhidden by his
slouched hat and heavy beard It
seemed bad face, yet one that might
have been good; but at any rate it's
owner might yet be saved, if he would,
through the squire. His physical life
could not be saved, if he would, thought
the squire. His physical life could not
be saved, OF course, the squire knew
that no matter how fair trial he might
receive, there was but one verdict ever
returned in such cases. And the squire
usually acquiesced in 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 a
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,
"Whoso converteth a sinner from his
ways shall save soul from death, and
cover a multitude of sins ;" and the
squire was too firm believer in human
depravity 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 it's 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 squire's first words, the pris-
oner quickly turned his head, and looked
intently at the old man. The sauire's
face was a worthy study for any one,
but it seemed rather odd to Hoxford
that 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 a moment, that the good
old man abandoned the sword of the
spirit, as 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, "Sreplied the squire, in
tone which ought, to have carried con-
viction to. the hardest heart. "And,"
1 continued the squire, again stirring the
fire and eagerly scanning the prisoners
had made, !" now's a'good time to try
it. You. amt likely to have your mind
distracted by anything else for an, hour
OF two ; besides, in case of any accident
Detailing you soon, you'll find the re-
suits of repentance very handy -.
Think. so, do yer 2" 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'D try it, mighty sudden"
"'Twon't do il, said the squire,
with glance Of philosophic satisfac-
ton at the extempore handouts.
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?-It's only"
The squire suddenly looked across the
prisoners head at Hoxford, fits only
justice" ..... ..o
The collegian groaned and closed his
eyes. He had been glad when the ap-
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
80 yes-I see. S'pose yer think yer
dom me kindness now, badgerin' me
bout my sins. Think I'll go to the
devil if they hang me now, don't yer?"
" I'm afraid you will" said the
squire, with dubious shake of the
head.