Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-26

think that the murderer was stranger
from whom father had won considerable
sum OF money the night before"
gW.The court has nothing 10 do with what
you or your mother may think or believe.
The question is, can you prove anything p
No, sir" replied Gus. II went down
to the Union saloon aud found that father
had won the money from peddler, that
the man who lost it had lett the town,
and no one knew where be had gone, or
what was his name.
..May H. please Your Honor" said the
prosecuting attorney, "ail this seems to
me utterly irrelevant and useless con-
sumption OF precious time"
..Have you anything further to state P'
asked the judge kindly.
mo, sir, y said Gus, bursting into tears,
.but il this trial could be put off, though
I've never seen the man, I'D track HIM
like blood hound, if l had to follow him
70 California And the poor boy sat
down, covering his face in an agony OF
grief. s7s.. t0
8 The discovery was nearer than be
thought, for messenger passed through
the crowded room, touched Gus upon the
shoulder, and whispered that he was
wanted. Utterly bewildered, he rose and
followed him to a low clearinghouse IN
a disreputable part of the town. There,
upon wretched bed man lay dying In
adrunken condition he had fallen from a
high bridge, and his skull was broken in
several places. afs..
Father Murphy, the Catholic priest, had
heard his confession, and was now com
hitting it to writing He did not look up
or speak as Gus entered, but went steadi-
A orr
Law upon a chair, and Gus Antoines sharp
. ewes detected an object which made him
start forward and seize it. Ii was the
strip of embroidery which Hope had made.
He had found the man he sought.
SIS Father Murphy. who had signed and
/ certified the paper handed it at this instant
to Gus It's purport was. that having been
ruined in play by Col. Antoine. he had
waited for and shot him in Wild Cat Hol-
A.. low. His money, which be had taken
from the murdered man, he now left 10
the church, and he prayed for the forgive
ness of those whom he had injured. Gus
turned to grant il, but the hand that had
committed the crime had stitlened upon
crucifix. and with the word PeccdUi upon
his lips the soul had gone, ,.... ..i
Then Gus turned to Father Murphy
I'VE may be too late now" Aud with
the confession in one hand and the lace
work in the other. he dashed out of the
house. ts
Meanwhile, at the courtroom, the law
yer for the prosecution had summoned up
his case and now the counsel for the de-
PENDANT, after making few remarks, in
which he drew attention to Gus Antoine's
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 S9aire 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, SO say
ing, he led Hope to the stand. She had
known that she would be called upon to
testify, but now her courage left her, and
sshe felt a. il she must fly through an open
door and escape from them all. But a
glance from Der father, and the thought
. that she might save him, restrained her.
: The little figure looked very piteous with
hts white lace, black dress, and flowing
faxsn hair. Already there was heard IA
: murmur Of sympathy in the room begin
ming with the women. But the prosecut-
ing attorney was equal to the occasion.
.sa. II protest your Honor he said,
- .'against the testimony of such mere
child being admitted in court. am will
ing to assert that she does not know the
a nature OF an oath. and it is well known
fact that she has visited her father in prison
and been instructed by him as to what to
say"
- 1.-THE court grants you permission to ask
her any questions you choose said the
Judge. IN
Hope held the back of chair tightly as
the lawyer turned upon her.
DO you know the nature of an oath ?"
he asked fiercely. of .raf Hr.
"oh. yes, sir!" replied Hope. ats
swearing. and I've heard Colonel Antoine
swear lots OF times"
subdued litter which Hope did not
hear. greeted the words. while the prose
cutting attorney turned with a gesture of
assumed despair. "Your honor sees"
he began, then suddenly turning to Hope,
s'sOae question more; what did your iath-
er teach you 10 say here s''
:. There was murmur of indignation in
the, house OF, why do they let him sass
her so?g and the like. But Hope replied
firmly, HE told me, whatever they asked
me, TO tell the truth
Yes, understand he told you TO say
that he had told you that. What else ?n
"Nothing--oh, yesi be told me not to
be afraid If the lawyers were very impu-
dent and tried to put me out. but Just tell
the truth, the whole truth. and nothing
but the truth, and God would help me.''
d II think. your Honor" said the lawyer
for the defence triumphantly. "that there
Is no longer any question as to the eligi-
bility Of the witness, so that she may be
now, permitted to give her testimony
"a The judge bowed grayely. and the pros
ecuting attorney took his seat.
And now, my little girl" said the
other lawyer kindly, will you state briefly
but as clear as you can, the events of the
day, from the time the twelve o'clock
whistle sounded until Gus Antoine left
you" l.t4l
as. I'VE were all eating when the twelve
o'clock whistle sounded" said Hope tim
idly. Father beckoned to me, and we
left the others there and went around to
the old cottonwood tree on the other side
Of the house. He had meant to fix a
swing for the children. out he had been
so busy about lection that he could not
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