The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-25
TRI-W EEKLY EDITION


cradle, (how fond he was of the baby?)
just as it was when she heard the crack of
the pistol, and ran in with an awful sense
OF suffocating fright; just the same as she
had found him lying upon the cradle, dab
bling its white linen with his blood, and
the baby playing with his hair. She
screamed once, the first and last complaint
anyone had heard her make, then she was
quiet and helpful through it all; when the
men came and lifted him up; when they
laid him Oh the rough bed in the other
room; when they carried him to the grave,
She following with the baby in her arms
Jake Smith was trying to find the link
missing in his thoughts; he shifted with
pcrplcXity-or somcthing-and Blakcs
widow looked up without speaking.
Jake nodded pleasantly four or five
times.
'Poorty chippcr2"
"Blakc's widow smiled sadly, bent owe
the sleeping child and smoolllcd the clothes
with tender touch.
AhSJ IL oSoolIi vi u Hill III a COuIl,
Jake went on, ''an' don't believe"
''Try who-Antonio2" sho tulnoa to-
ward the burly figure in the door with n
flash of interest i'll her black eyes.
"Yes. The judge Is making court
out of his shed. hope it'll turn out oil
right, but it seems like giving that Mexi-
can devil chance he oughtn't ter have"
'IIe can't get clear, can he2" she asked,
rocking the cradle gently and patling the
covcrlet.
81 don't see how, but he's got some
kind of law cuss to speak for him-a fel-
Ter that stopped here day or two ago on
his way to Galveston, and it makes me
kind O nervous"
B!ake's widow did not appear to notice
the last remark, for the child, disturbcdby
the talking, had awakened and sat up in
his cradle with wondering look.
''Pooty, aint her" SAID Jake, regarding
just ike-ahem!-you. Poor littIe-I-a
-" he stamm' red and treated his hat like
& mortal enemy. "Of course he's had
you've got-thcrc aint nothin' | could do
fur yer, maybe ?"
She answered with grateful look, but
it was accompanied by shake of the
head.
Jake bent down, and, with his big fore
finger, softly rumblcd the hair of the baby's
head: then he went out and left them,
Blakc's widow sitting as he had found her,
and the baby staring down tho path after
him.
lie walked Oh until he reached the top
of the little hill where he could look down
upon the roof which covered the pitcous
scene he had just left. Here he seemed to
have half a mind to turn back, for he
hesitatcd and stopped, but he changed. :.his
partial intention after lingering Il moment,
and walked mcditatively onward, with the
exclamation, "Wall, some women do beat
the ID aniazin'.n
X X
OF course everybody came to the trial.
The arrangements were soon found to be
altogether too mcagcr. Pitblados shed
was filled to overlowing, and Baggett
made clean sweep of every empty box in
his store.
Antonios lawyer, sharp-cycd, sharp
featured fellow from Galveston, had bus
tied about with surprising agility on the
day previous, holding mysterious confer
cnce with lll-conditioncd fellows of
Gucldo's kidney.
Jake Smith was highly dissatisfied. and
even the judge was heard TO utter SOM
msgivings, however; by the time the pro-
ceedings had really commenced he gained
confidence.
The court was assembled, the jury had
been chosen, and the witnesses were all
present save onc--Blakc's widow.
Pretty soon there was stir at the door
then murmur of surprise ran through the
crowded room.
s'May lie DID," said Jake Smith,
audibly eff she hasn't brought her baby!'
What reason she may have had for not
leaving the little thing in charge of some
sympathizing woman-and there arc plenty
who would have been glad of the trust
was not apparent; however TINT might be.
there it was claspod firmly in her arms, its
bright red checks contrasting with her
whiteness, ,S&andh its fathers sunny hair
mingling with.hcrd dark locks: E-,.&
With some difficulty way was made
through the throng to her seat, which had
been placed on tho side of the Judge, d.
rectly opposite.the candle box on the Q her,
where Antonio sat. She took her place
and never moved during the whole trial,
excepting as she was required to testify,
and once when the baby tugyed at some
glistening thing that Law hidden In the