The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-01

usin' such internally rough collars'
Anything else 2 asked the Major.
One man smoothed one Of the horses hind
feet. and exclaimed:
See how he gives little lift an shake of the
foot every time do that Garman showed me
how he did just that same thing, an asked me
what opposed was the matter with him to make
ITS the hoss,' said one man. dropping back
with every outward sign OF satisfactory assur-
ance; several others nodded and fell back.
Let's see his eyes, said another, 'Garman's
horse was wall-eyed-yes, 80 is this one.'
quired the Major
No. said the man who had expressed his
mind about Garmans horse-collars his col
lars amt fit for dog, bat his saddle fit like
blanket
Take off the saddle and the prisoner, and
let's see, said the Major.
The prisoner was united and lifted off. He
fell instantly upon the ground, while the men
guarding HIM covered him with their pistols.
The saddle was removed, and the men again
crowded near.
There's no chafe yet said man who felt
the skin over the hores's backbone just behind
the shoulder, but there will be soon. This cad
die must have been followed out OF a log
Has anybody any doubts about the horse !?
asked the Major.
No one replied.
Now show up the prisoner, them said the
Major. CHE order OF proceedings had been in
strict accordance with the ways OF new Western
districts, for there horse Is held in far higher
regard than a man,
1Stand up. said one OF the guards. shaking
the prisoners shoulder. Confound 1t. 'growed
the guard, that's just the way he's acted ever
since we got him.
Didn't | tell you he was looneyF asked
Blizzer.
Pour a little whisky In his mouth, some
BODY suggested the Major. Perhaps he's
tuckered out. Even horse-theves get that way
sometimes, s'pose
The whisky was administered. some OF II
found it's way into the prisoners nostrils, and
made him cough violently. This disturbance
seemed to revive him somewhat, and he was
able to remain on his feet after being assisted
to rise.
Any one ever gee him before3' asked the
Major.
NO said some one, after moments 81
lence, and don't want to again. He's more
fit for graveyard openin than anything eise
even boss stealin'.'
He acas a miserable, Insignificant looking OBJ
ject. Small, thin, fat-chested and stoop-shoul-
dered, yet bis eyes were very bright.
Prisoner, said the Major. you are charged
with stealing horse from a man named Gar
man, living in this county. The horse Is found
in your possession. What have you got to say
for YOURSELF?
The prisoner opened his eyes and mouth, and
drawed out, as il soliloquizing
Just fioatin along lovely, as II there wasn't
ever such thing as trouble In the world, 1
wish everybody knowed could be so happy
What did tell you 7? said Blizzer, spinning
about on his heels and appealing to every one.
| Playing crazy is losing game here, prison
err, SAID the Major. We've seen it played be-
foae'
Play p exclaimed the prisoner. oh, it's just
like if l was a little boy again, fore ever
knowed what trouble was. feel just as happy
4 4. - tha
Show HIM the rope, growled some one in
the Majors ear thatll bring out the truth
II he's trying to gum u.s.
THE evidence is all against you, prisoner.
said the Major, sternly, and there is only one
punishment. Say your prayers. Men, do your
duty
The guards lifted the prisoner upon the still
unsaddled horse. The prisoner was seated with
his back to the horses head. He was humming
tune softly, when his eye caught sight OF a
rope which was being thrown across bough OF
the tree. He stared and stopped humming and
looked about him with start, as il awakening
from sleep, and screamed:
Mother!
Half a dozen double whistles shrily uttered,
pierced the air. Every one started, and into
the midst OF the crowd burst the doctor.
Excuse me, gentlemen-Pm Doctor Beers
-nxet county. Lem-Lem, you poor old fell
low, what does all this mean
Lem did not answer. He had already fallen
from his horse. The doctor was by lis side in
an instant and had his finger on LENS pulse.
tor. Both men with lights approached the doc
tor. and so did every one else. The doctor
looked into LENS hali-opened eyes. observed
his face closely, and finally exclaimed
L know this man we'll, gentlemen, and don't
believe there's more harmless person in the
world. The trouble with him no,o is that he IS
almost dead. He has severe malarial fever,
and is delIrious under its influence, and this
shock will probably take HIM OIL. do wIsh I'd
come out OF that tree IN time to prevent 1t, but
l had no idea who your prisoner was, and had
no desire to intrude.
That's all very well, doctor, said the Major,
but what We want to know Is how did he get
Garments horse p
Wait until he gets we'll said the doctor
and you can probably find out--you certainly
can't while he's In this condition. l know his
constitution gentlemen. Weeks ago | warned
not better cared for He may die now, within
ten minutes-in fact, it'll be very strange il he
don't
And not confess, or tell who else is in his
gang!' exclaimed the Major Thunder try
the whisky on him again. boys-thatl brine
him to long enough to enable HIM to own I'D OF
explain
The man with the whisky bottle approached
but the doctor snatched the bottle and threw il
away. An angry murmur ran thro' the crowd
anu SoNerdl sets OI 6dIneSt drBumentS began a
once, when suddenly every sound was hushec
by deep voice which exclaimed:
What are you doing to that man.
Everybody looked in the direction from which
the voice came, and they beheld large man OF
) a large horse. The man seemed to be stran
ger, for no one greeted him by name Ever,
one seemed to be busy wondering how he hat
approached without being heard.
What are you doing to that man ?? the stran
ger repeated
The Major threw up his hat brim, folded hi
, arms, and said
don't know as 1t any OF your business
but we like to be accommodating. We wer,
about to hang him for stealing Garman s horse
. but he seems to have tainted We thought WEE
, like to find out first, though, how he came BY
= the animal.
We'll, can tell you that, said the stranger
lie was turned off by Sam Reeves couple o.
days ago for being used up, and not tit to leat
horses, and he was tryin' to walk back to Noun
, Zion, where he lad friends. met him on th,
) road, and he was tho most ptiful sight evel
did see-all burning up with fever l hadn,
any time to lose, but every once i'm a while be't
: quit whatever he was saying and cry out Mo
; ther in way that went right through me
I've got mother myself, and his holern' was
too much for me, 80 got off my boss and pu
him onto him. and told him to ride to Mount
Zion as fast as the Lord would let him.
And where did you get Garman's borse