Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-11-25

came up from the village and read to Johr
Welton an imposing legal document. /
was summons issued by William Gar
field Esq, a Justice Of the Peace anc
Quorum, ordering the said John Weltor
to appear before him at two Of the clock
on Wednesday, at his office, then and
there to answer to the complaint of Peter
Bracket, etc, etc. The officer read the
summons and left with the defendant a
copy. -, -, g.. ~, W.,
ever been called upon to face the law. A,
first he was awe-stricken and then he was
wroth. He told himself that he would
fight it to the bitter end. And now he
tried to nurse his wrath and became more
unhappy than before.
On Tuesday evening Parson Surely
called upon Mr.. Welton. The good man
had heard OF the trouble and was exceed
ingly exercised in spirit Both the men
were of his flock, and he loved and re-
spected them both He sat down alone
with Welton, and asked him what it
meant.
Tell me calmly and candidly all about
it," he said
After a little reflection Mr.. Welton told
the story. He knew the old Clergyman
for a true man and whole hearted friend,
and he told everything just as he under
stood it.
"And Neighbor Bracket thinks, even
now, that you shot the dog knowing that
it was his ~
g. suppose So"
If you had told him the exact facts
in the beginning do you think he would
have held his anger?"
This was hard question for John Wei
ton, but he answered it manfully:
Truly, parson, l do not think he
would"
Were you ever more unhappy in your
life than you have been since this trouble
came?"
" think not"
"And, if possible, Neighbor Bracket
is more unhappy than you"
" Do you think so?'
4" Yes. He is the most angry and venge-
full.
A brief pause, and then the parson re-
sumed:
Brother Welton, with you are needed
but few words. You are stronger man
than Brother Bracket. Do you not be-
lieve he has a good heart?'
Yes"
Il wish you could show him how true
and good your own heart isl
Parsonn'
wish you could show him that you
possess true Christian courage"
Parson, what do you mean?"
81 wish you had the courage to meet
him and conquer him"
=" How would you have me do it?"
First, conquer yourself You are not
oflended?"
| "No Go on"
And thereupon the good old clergyman
drew up his chair and laid his hand upon
his friends arm and told him Just what
he would have him do. He spoke ear
nestly and with tears in his eyes
Brother Welton, have you the heart
and the courage to do this?"
The farmer arose and took two or three
turns across the floor and finally said
~ will do it!'
On the following day, toward the mid
die of the afternoon, Peter Bracket stood
in the dooryard with his head bent. He
was thinking whether he should harness
his horse and be off before dinner or
whether he would wait until afternoon.
He could not work he could not even
put his mind to ordinary chores.
WONDER" he said to himself, show
the trial will come out! I s'pose Wei
ton'll hire old Whitman to take his case
OF course the office'll be crowded Tom
Frost says it's noised everywhere and that
everybody'll be there. Plague take it!
wish-'
His meditations were interrupted by
approaching steps, and on looking up he
beheld Neighbor Welton.
Good morning, Peter"
Bracket gasped, and finally answered
GOOD morning." though rather crust
lily.
Welton went on, frankly and pleasant
| ly:
You will go to the village today"
=" s'pose So"
81 have been summoned by Justice
Garfield to be there, also; but really,
Peter | don't want to go. One Of us will
be enough. Garfield is a fair man, and
when he knows the facts he will do what
is right. Now, you can state them as well
as can, and whatever his decision is |
will abide by it. You can tell him that !
shot your dog, and that your dog had done
me no harm"
"Do you acknowledge that old Carlo
never harmed you-that he never troubled
your Sheep" inquired Bracket, with
startled surprise.
" II was not his nature to do harm to
anything. ! am sure he would sooner
have saved one of my sheep than have
killed it,"
Then what did you shoot him for?'
THAT is what was just coming at,
Peter You will tell the Justice that
had lost several of my best sheep-killed
by dogs-that had just been taking the
skin from fat, valuable wether that had
been so killed and mangled--that | was
on my way from my house, with my gun
| In my hand Mhen / saut a dog coma out