Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-16

MAINE NUARY Is
Gales ano Skcttbes.
MOONLIGHT.
\ STORY OF CAIIroHNIN.
Continued from Yesterday. }

been in. my friend.
The prisoner quickly raised his eyes
very keen. expressive eyes they seemed
for moment. and locked inquiringly at
the squire; then he dropped his head
again and remained silent.
Ell the Squire's goin To jaw relig.
ion. said Brar. hastily taking bite from
n plu~ of tobacco, | guess III git. Eve
heard il all before. We know. suuire.-no
offence meant. lou and Hoxforl LUX
out for him: mebbc et yer take turns arry-
in with him. hel'll he punished all that's
necessary
Several other miners seemed to he of
like mind with Briar. and rs the prisoner
neither offered t. fight. run away, confess,
or drink. the crowd soon lost interest in
him, aud sauntered of. leaving Moonlight
in charge of the Squire and the collcgian.
These two gentleman escorted the prisoner
into the Squire's hut. and invited him to
sit down or lie down, as best suited him;
but the alacrity with which the Squire pro-
ducrd a revolver from a bundle oiclothing.
seemed 10 ncutralze. in the prisoners
mind. ali pleasing impressions induced by
the squirc's hospitality
The prisoner sat down on the floor in
front of the fire. and the squire and
iloXiord seated themselves on either side
of him. The prisoner seemed absorbed in
contemplation of the toes of his boots.
lloNiord steadily watched the prisoners
hands. lest he should attempt to unloose
them; but the squire mtently regarded so
much OF the prisoners face rs was unhid-
den by the slouched hat and heavy beard.
II seemed bad face. yet one that might
have been good; but at any rate its owner
might vet be saved. if he would. thought
the squire. His physical life could not be-
saved. OF course, the squire knew that no
matter how fair trial he might receive.
there was hut one verdict ever returned in
such eases. And the squire usually ac-
quiesced in the verdict for the squire was
n Just man himself, and believed that JUS
ticc should he done to others. But though
man might destroy the body. there was no
reason why the soul should perish too. the
squire argued and whether he regarded
il from the spiritual or the economic stand
point. there seemed to him something sab
" wastelul about the loss of soul.
The prisoner was sad theft, but per-
haps the pcnitent thief on the cross was no
worse. Besides. thought the squire. with
unicigned mcekness and prudence. "Who-
so convcrfeth sinner from his wavs shall
save soul from DEATH and cover q multi
tnde of sins; !" and the squire was too firm
Il believer in human dcpravity not to feel
that he had many sins which were devoid
of covering.
'''Prisoner," said the squire. giving the
fire poke. as il To have its l,lrid glare
suggest the sinners final doom, '.pears
sure, from what we hear, that you've tried
about every tack in the world but one-all
but one.
At the squirc's first words the prisoner
quickly turned his head and looked in
tcntly at the old man The squire's face
was a worthy study for any one. but IL
seemed rather odd to IIoxiord that man
whose lie was in danger should regard
human nature as closely and inuuisitively
as the prisoner seemed to do. In fact, his
gaze seemed so piercing. for moment,
that the good old man abandoned the
sword of the spi.i as Il defensive weapon.
and hastily changed the position of his
pistol until the mnzzle thereof pointed di-
rcctly at the prisoners head. The pris-
oner finally dropped his eyes and asked:
'What tack ihato'
''Repcntance. " replied the squire, in u
tone which ought TO have carried convic-
ton 10 the hardest heart. "And." contin-
ucd the squire. again stirring the fire and
eagerly scanning the prisoners counte-
nance to see what effect his words had
made. ''now's good time to try it. You
amt likely to have yonr mind distracted
by anything else for an hour or two: be-
sides, in case of any accident Detailing you
soon, you'll find the results of repentance
very handy"
Think so. do yer?'' growled the pris-
oncr. trying to rest Himself by throwing
his bound hands over his knees "Wish
'twoud soften these Internal strips Ofbark
around my wrists-I'd try it, mighty sud-
dem
"'Twon't do il. said the squire, with a
glance of philosophic satisfaction Mt the
extempore handouts. They're like a
mans sins.-soif and easy at first. but hurt
when they get old, and commence to get
a good tight grip on you. Dye see p
It's only the squire suddenly looked
across the prisoners head at ElOxiord-
''it's only Justice
| The colegian groaned and closed his
eyes. He had been glad when the ap.
/ pearance Of Pete put an end to the discus.
/ sion during the afternoon. for he had
grown very weary Of it, Now the idea oil
having it revived was simply dreadful
Happily, the prisoner came to his rescue,
and said with snarl:
80 yes-I see. S'pose yer think yer
doin' me n kindness now, badgerin' me
bout my sins. Think III go to the devil
if they hang me now. don't yer?''
.'Tm afraid you WILL said the squire
with dubious shake of the head
..An' that's what you're prOspectin
around my soul for. eh.''
''Jes' so,'' said the squire. '.Somt
folks might say, Am my brother keep
er?' say Il am, and / want to save
You"
Then cut me loose, and let me go.
said the prisoner, in low but very fierce
tone. It'll take good deal Of time tt
repent Of all I've got to be sorry for.
you be yer brothers keeper. why don
yer give his soul chance? It's all infer
; nal nonsense: yer he'd real brotherl,
feelin'. like flesh and b1ood's got, you,
. lot mo loose instead of kaqnins ma hare Il