Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11

thought,-"and you gentlemen OF the
jury" Gus went on, 81 would like TO
make few further remarks"
"If they have anything to do with
facts beaiing upon this case," said the
judge. with q smile at the boys attempt
at forensic eloquence. "you may pro-
ceed."
my mother and /, sir, do not believe
that Squire May shot my father. We
think that the murderer was stranger
from whom father had won considers-
bic sum of money the night before"
The court has nothing to do" said
the Judge, "with what you or your moth.
er may think or believe. The question
is, can you prove anythingP"
mo, sir" replied Gus. IL went down
to the Union saloon and found that father
had won the money from n peddler; that
the man who lost it was desperate, but
he had lett the town, and no one knew
where he had gone, or what was his
name."
May il please your Honor" said the
prosecuting attorney, "all this seems to
me utterly irrelevant. and useless con-
sumption of precious time"
Have you anything further to state T'
asked the Judge kindly.
"No, sir,n said Gus. bursting into teal s,
"but il this trial could be put off, though
I've never seen the man, I'd track him
like blood hound, If had to follow him
to California" And the poor boy sat
down, covering his face in an agony Of
grief
The discovery was nearer than he
though, Tor messenger pressed through
the crowded room, touched Gas upon the
shoulder, and whispered that he was
wanted. Utterly bewildered, he rose and
followed him to q low clearinghouse in
a disreputable part OF the town. There,
upon wretched bed, a man lay dying.
In drunken condition he had fallen from
a high bridge, and his skull was broken
in several places. Father Murphy, the
Catho oIic priest, had heard his confession,
aud was now committing it to writing.
he did not look up or speak as Gus enter
ed, but went steadily on with his work.
A peddler's pack lay open upon chair,
and Gus Antoine's sharp eyes detected
al object which made him start forward
and seize it. 1t was the strip OF embroid-
cry which Hope had made. He had
found the man he sought.
Father Murphy, who had signed and
certified the paper, handed 1t at this in
slant to Gus. It's purport was, that hav'
ing bean ruined in play by Colonel Anto
inc, be had waited for and shot him in
Wild Cat Hollow. His money, which be
had taken from the murdered man, he
now left TO the church, and he prayed Tor
the forgiveness OF those whom he had
injured. Gus turned to grant it, but the
hand that had committed the crime had
suaened upon cruciix, and with the
word PeccaUi upon his lips The soul had
gone.
Then Gus turned 10 Father Murphy.
Come quick to the court house." he
said. I'VE may be too late now
And with the confession in one hand and
tho lace work in The other, he dashed out
of the house.
Meanwhile, at the courtroom, the law
yer for the prosecution had summed up
his case; and now the counsel for the
defendant, after making few remarks
in which he drew attention to Gus Anto-
ines statement as perhaps not so foreign
to the case after all, added that he thought
it sufficiently strong without it. They
would soon see that Squire May could
not have committed the murder, for he
was about TO prove an alibi, and would
base it entirely upon the testimony OF
one witness, and so saying, he led Hope
TO the stand. She had known that she
would be called upon to testify, but now
her courage left her, and she telt as II she
must fly through an open side door and
escape from them all. But lance from
her father, and the thought that she
might save him, restrained her. The lit
tie figure looked very piteous with Its
white tace, black dress, and flowing isx'
en- hair. Already there was heard
murmur of sympathy in the room begin
ming with the women. But the prosecul-
ing attorney was equal to the occasion
IL protest, your Honor" he SAID
..agaiust the testimony OF such mere
child being admitted in court. am will
ling TO assert that she does not know the
nature of an oath, and it is a well known
fact that she has visited her father In pris-
on. and been instructed by him as t.
What to say.'
The Court grants you permission to
ask her any questions you choose said
the judge.
Hope held the back OF chair tightly
as the lawyer turned upon her.
"Do you know the nature OF an oath r
he asked iercely.
"Oh, yes sir !" replied Hope. "lf'
swearing, and I've heard Colonel An
| lot, Nf t;,,aa "