Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-04-12

resemble some one in the village. FL
nally, he produced three of the ill-con-
ditioned fellows before referred to, who
swore that Antonio was with them on
hunting expedition during the whole of
the day on which the murder was COM
mitted.
1t was clear case of abb. Jake
Smiths astonishment at the ease with
which the thing had been accomplished
was unbounded. He threw dlsgnsted
look toward Pitblado, but the judge was
nonplussed, and didn't seem to be in
terested with things in Jake's vicinity.
"Gentlemen of the jury" said he,
things has took a turn | didn't alto
getbss expec.' l don't know as there's
much to be said. l s'pose you've got
to 60 by the evidence, an that don't
need any explainin.' Eff you kin make
out, accordin' ter that, that Antonio
Gueldo killed Jem Blake, why, jest
recollect that's what yer here fur
The jury filed out, and the expectant
audience occupied itself with tobacco
and whispered comments.
Jake Smith fdgeted about on his box,
and cast anxious glances through the
open door, toward the clump of nopals
where the jury were celebrating.
Antonio talked and laughed in an un-
der-tone with his counsel, and Blake's
widow sat staring at them with COM
pressed lips, and strong expression Of
determination coming into her face.
1t wasn't long before the jury filed in
again, all seating themselves but the
spokesman, and Judge Pitblado rose,
wiping his forehead with his shirt.
sleeve.
"Straightened it out, have yer?
asked he, nodding to the spokesman.
The man nodding slowly in return.
"Wal, les have it, then"
{ "Yer see," said the spokesman, with
hesitating and disappointed air, Sc
yer hadn't corralled us with stickin
ter the evidence, we might "a done bet
ter, but accordin ter that, Antonio
wasn't thar when the murder was done
an eff he warn't thar he couldn't "a
done it; an eff he didn't do it, why
then-of course he's-not guilty.
Pitblado didn't dare to look at any
body; he stared up at the rafters, dow
at the table, nowhere in particular; ant
then turned halfway toward Antonio.
"You kin co. said he, speaking witt
great deliberation, "but wouldn't sta
round here too long"
There was dead pause for minut
and nobody moved.
Jake Smith exploded single expires
sive word, which he had held in fo
some time past and Blake's widow stoo
up.
"Have you got through, judge ?'' sh
asked.
"Wal-I-s'pose so.
"And there is nothing else to t
done %
"I'm afraid there amt
"And he's free to go?"
"Y-a-a-s."
Antonio Gueldo rose with an insoler
grin, and picked up his hat.
The baby crowed. for it saw the gil
tering thing again.
There was sharp report-Anton
pitched forward in heap upon tt
; floor, and Blake's widow stood with ii
! pistol pressed to her breast.
> A line of thin blue smoke curled fro
= the muzzle of the weapon, and forme
r halo around the chlld's faxen hea
, The glittering thing was quite near tt
little hands now, and they took it fro
the yielding grasp of the mother.
: Blake's widow looked steadily at I'll
figure on the foor,-it was quite m
5 tionless; then she turned, and we
through the wide passage opened Fl
her by the silent crowd. holding the b
by very tenderly, and the baby carryil
i the pistol.
The child laughed with delight;
had got its shining plaything at last.