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

ly to the assistance of the squire, as
that good man hesitated while he racked
his memory for some more divine attri-
butes which were to his own taste.
"They don't needto be told that sins
wrong" continued the squire, shrewdly,
regardless of Hoxford's untimely aid,
"but they need to feel that they've in
suited the dignity of Gods law-that
they're in awful danger-that God is
angry with the wicked every day."
"Aw-and that Il will have mercy
and not sacrifice, you know, said Hox-
ford, nudglng the squire suggestively
with his elbow. The squire dropped
his eyes for a moment, upon seeing
which, goddess youth implored Peel
to tell him if the squire was giving in );
"Briar had bet three to one on tie
squire, an he'd like to get the hang of
the dod goaned thing" But the squire
quickly treasured Briar by exclaim-
| ing
Good looks not upon sin with the
least degree of allowance"
Aw-'keeping mercy for thou
sands"
Hoxford was not allowed to finish his
reJOlnder, for some one interrupted him
by loudly shouting
"Thar comes Pete 20
That man is the noblest work of God.
| and that mule is, despite certain
eccentrlclties, a very useful animal, are
fair expressions of current opinion J;
but even after allowing all consideration
due both beings, stranger at Pitts
Gulch would haxe qhaen at a loss to
understand why whole camp full of
able-bodied men should become absorb
ed in the contemplation of man and a
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, TopseI the sailor,
who had the strongest voice in the
camp, roared-
"Got him %
"You bet! screamed Pete. The
miners glanced at each other with
countenances full of satisfaction, not
without a spice of Indignation Then
Topsell roared:
"What did they do with him."
"Sendin' him back here-think its
where he belongs" screamed Pete, in
reply.
"P'raps you're goin' in for mercy for
him." said the squire, looking keenly
yet humorously at Hoxford from beneath
his heavy brows. "Here's Moonlight
a.comin back hefe-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 (strictly medicaD
an knocked a lame man off mule, SOS
to steal the animal. He's prime sub
ject for justice, 'cordin to old fashioned
ideas, but l s'pose 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
Hoxford, and the wrangler seemed SO
disconnected that the men who had
backed him FASTENED to ''hedge" His
countenance finally frightened as he
took advantage of a stale saw.
cav takes an exception to prove
the rule, you know" said he "Just
put me on the jury that tries him"
Jury that tries him p echoed Briar,
with an oath which made the squire
shudder. He's been tried, he hez.
Mebbe We ken guard him till he want
ed, but that won't be long.
The squire hastily turned on Briar
look which made the professor of knife
and pistol involuntarily retreat a 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 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 to habilitate an or
binary church member; but the rowdv
enthusiastically admired the man S
pluck, so he replied, with a laugh and
| an oath
"All right, squire. You an Hoxford
must guard him till then, though, to
punish you for gittin' up SO much jaw
IN camp, an keeping men from work
| He's comm, too.
Again all eyes were turned toward
the trail, and they saw, Just crossing
the hill, man walking with his head
bowed. and his hands behind his back,
while close behind him were two men
who had pistols in their hands. The
crowd eazed earnestly and curiously.
for the fobbet had not been one of the
regular denizens of the camp and al
though his fame had spread up and
down the creek, the only Pitts Gull
chites who mad seen him were lame
Pete, whose mule he had stolen. and
old Mills, whose flask he had snatched
The prisoner did not seem ut all proud
of his reputation. for even the most in
dusttiotis staring toward 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
ole else to speak, the squire stepped
briskly to the front. The squire never
wasted time in idle staring time was
money time was season in which to
prepare for 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:
" Haint very respectable bizness
you've been in, my friend. H.
The prisoner quickly raised his eyes
very keen, expressive eyes they
| seemed-for a moment, and looked in
quiringly at the squire then he drop
ped his head again, andremained silent.
'Ef the Squires goin to jaw relig-
ion said Rriar hastily takino q bite