Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1880-02-26
BLAKKEES WIDOW,

Jem Blake had been shot dead in
his own doorway by Antonio Gueldo.
and the trial was to come off directly.
- The extraordinary interest in the
affair was less due to the murder and
its peculiar circumstances, than to the
fact that this was the first case tried
at San Saba in any more formal court
than the time-honored institution of
Judge Lynch. Jem had been a quiet
man and good neighbor, with a
hand always ready to help any one
who was out of luck, so public senti-
ment ran pretty high against Antonio.
If the general inclination had been
followed-as, up to that time it al
ways had-the last-named gentleman
would have found very scant oppor-
tunity to make any remarks in his
own behalf
However,, things were advancing at
San Saba as well as elsewhere, and it
wouldn't do to hang Antonio without
regular trial, no matter how agreea-
BILE such proceeding might be.to the
people at large.
SO ran the opinion expressed by
Judge Pitblado whose ideas on such
subjects were usually accepted with
out comment.
Nevertheless, there was more than
one dissenter in the present instance,
to whom it was by no means clear
that there could be any sense or profit
in thus beating about the bush.
''Ef Antonio's goin ter be hung,
why in don't We hang him.
This was the pertinent query of
Jack Smith, the leader of the oppos-
ing faction. and his view of the ques-
ton put it in so clear light that the
judge had great difficulty in impress
ing people with his conviction. He
said that things had gone on in irrog-
uar way long enough, and here was
u chance to start the law in properly,
and give it a tail show. Besides, il
dlGn't make any kind OF difference
Antonio had shot Jem, ha,in't he
" ell, then hat was the use Of talk,
ing? All the jury would have to dc
now was to return their verdict o
guilty in the first degree, and thcr,
you were all comfortable.
1t was just the same thing IN tho
end-eXaclly.
II tell yer," said the judge, who
| felt the wealth of his title, albeit tn,
same was altogether one of courtesy
Il tell yer there's nOthin' like doin
thing reg'lar; partikerlally whe.
yer know just how it's comm out ,
SO the judges argument, supported
by his influence, and increasing bia
at San Sab:. in favor 0f more cirlizet
views, settled The matter, and 50 i
was decided that Antonio ,Gucld'
should he tried before he was hanged
As there was no place specially ar
ranged for such ceremonies, judy
i'itbia,'o Hospitality offered the use O
his shed.
Here rough table and chair wcr
placed for the Judge, the other neces
sarr furniture, intended to reprcsen
/ Litt itoth liiN F'A.tiN- - ihtbE, tht
out with boxes from Silas Baggett
grocery store.
Jake Smith looked on at these pref
arations for time with trownin
discomfort, and then stroiled dow
the road, turning INTO the lane th;
led to BIake's.
When he reached the door of til
shanty he leaned against the jam
and pobed his naked head inside, fan
ming hims- in an embarrassed WA
with his greasy fragment of Il hat. II
had come there with the intention (
sayirg something, but the sight With
made hum forget 1t.
BaI<c's widow sat there, as she ha
sat pretty much all the time since I'll
murder, staring straight before hc
with her chin IN her palm. The SUI
light struck through the foliage
the red oak trees that grew before Il
doo., and chvckercd with Hickcrit
brightness the floor and the cr;;d
where ,jem's baby WAS sleeping.
There it WAS, just as 1t had hc'
three days ago; (could it hc on
three davs?) Just as it had been VIII,
she went out that morning To look Il
ter the drying clothes, ana left hi
standing II The door hy the cratii
(ho'y fond he Was of The baby J il!
as it was when she heard the crack
the pistol, and ran in with All awt
scnsc Of suiiocatlng fright; just Il
same rs she had found him living II
on the cradle, dabbln@ its white llu'
with his blood, and the baby plavi'
with his hair. She screamed one
the first and las, complaint anyo
heard her make; then she was qul
and helpful through it AL! when /
men came and lifted him up; VIII
they laid him out upon the rough h
in the other room When they carr
him to his grave, she following vi
:. the hady in her arms.
Jake Smith was trying to find t
e link missing III his thoughts
shifted with perplexty--or son
thing-and B!ake's widow looked
without Speaking. Jake nodd
pleasantly four Or five times.
"Po"ty chippcr:' asked he.
Blakc's widow smiled sadly, be
- over the sleeping child and smooth
the clothes with Il tender touch.
'"rhcv're agoin' ter try him in
court" Jake went on, IAN L do
bclievc--"
"Try who-Antonio?' She turn
= toward the big burly figure in
i door with flash of interest in
/ black eyes.
- ''Yes. The judge is maxim
court out of his shed. l hope i
turn out all right, but it seems /
givin' that Mexican devil a chance
oushtn't ter have
. "He can't get clear, can he"
IN asked, rocking the cradle gently 8
~ patting the coverlet.
IL don't see how, but he's
some kind OF law cuss to speak
him-a feller that stopped here a
or two ago on his way to Galvest
and 1t makes me kind o nervous. ;
7 Blake's widow did not appear
} notice the last remark, for the ch
disturbed by the talking, had aw
ened and sat up in his cradle wit
l.