The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-14

judge ,"of sending a fellow-being into
eternity"
"Without due process of law J" inter-
rupted Madge, as though speaking
through the back of her head.
The judge colored angrily, but took
no further notice of the contempt of
Court" Possibly he knew that Madge
hadn't any more money with which to
ease his wounded dignity.
"You robbed the murdered man of
wife and honor; you stole his household
! jewels"
Again the prisoner looked pleadingly
at his only friend, but her features wore
radiant smile, and her eyes. saw moth
ing that was visible to anybody else.
'T need not preach to you of the
power and majesty of the law. A life
for life is the law of God"
''Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, and do good to them that de-
spitefully use you, is the law of Jesus"
said Madge, again speaking as from the
back of her head.
Another interruption, and this
woman with the deranged mentality
will be removed" said His Honor, with
meaning look which the sheriff failed
to catch. Indeed, that dignitary didn't
care to attempt repeating the expert
ment which was yet green in his mem
ory, and decidedly purple on his yet
swollen nose.
at is with great pain that the Court
proceeds to pass sentence" said His
Honor, skipping, in his supreme annoy
ance, the carefully prepared admoni-
tions in his long-winded address.
vengeance is mine, 1 will repay,
saith the Lord"
"Then let Him." said Madge. "Don't
take business out of His hands,"
His Honor did not seem to hear.
'The safeguards of society require
that you expiate your crime upon the
gallows."
"'Thou shalt not kiLLH" cried Madge.
The sheriff moved uneasily toward
the door, fearing an order from the
Court to arrest the troublesome pro-
moter of the gospel of Jesus, who still
stared at vacancy, like one distraught
"There is no alternative. In view ot
the awful crime you have committed,
may not stay the hand of Justice. In
one week from to-day, between which
time and the present trust that you
will make your peace with God, you are
to be led forth from the county Jail to 6
gallows now in preparation"
Madge saw the beams rising ever
then, right over against the naked
framework of the new church, that wa:
soon to be dedicated by these same con
servators of justice to the worship o
Jesus, in professed obedience to precept'
of the Golden Rule.
"TO gallows now in PREPARATION
repeated His Honor, "there to hang BY
the neck until you are dead, dead
dead! And may God have mercy OF
your soul ~
The prisoner listened as one in {
dream. The silence in the room wa
awful. Men scarcely dared breathe.
Suddenly a shrek, or rather roar, a
of lion robbed of his prey, startled th,
staring crowd. The prisoner turned in
voluntarily, his chains clanking.
Madge laughed hysterically, ant
clapped her hands frantically.
'It's the power, and there's goo(
news a-brewin'," said Jason Andrews
in a whisper, addressing his neares
neighbor.
t "It's the devilr' was the sneerinl
reply.
"We'll settle that when Pm strongerr
r retorted the step-father.
Soon the cause of the sheriff's disma.
= was known to all present. A new ar
rival had suddenly appeared on th
scene, which was destined to give ney
| turn to the proceedings.
: 'I knew itp' cried Madge. az say
him coming with my eyes shut, and
felt the whole thing in my bones"
"What the old Harry's this al
O about ?" cried the newcomer, who wa
: no other than George Hanson, the al
p legged murdered man. 81 heard tina
: Harry Morrison was up for killing me
+ didn't know how it came, but
, thought wasn't quite dead enough
cause anybody to hang, so Pve com
back to report"
o "The Court will take recess till to
i, morrow, at nine A. NJ. The prisoner
! dischargedv" said His Honor, turnin
f deathly pale; and the baffied sheriff wa
q compelled to undo his chains.
f "Come home with mep' said Jaso
Andrews, fairly hugging the -prisone
4 and convict, in his extreme deligh
!, "Ye won't find me as / once wal
Madge, she's saved me, an she's reg
, liar brick"
''Thank you kindly, Mr.. Andrews
but for your daughters sake it is nc
best. shall go away from her at once.
Then, approaching Madge with ths
deferential manner which is the natur.
expression of Unborn gentility, he CAV
L her his hand, in cordial, impressiv
greeting.
:, "God bless you, my noble frienc
: May He lead you ever through th
e green pastures and beside the still watel
Of rIanfu and ~