Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-04-30

there was witness for this he could not
be found now. And so the prosecution
closed.
The Galveston lawyer began by involv-
ing in whirlpool Of hopeless contradic-
ton the witness who had sworn to having
seen Gueldo near Blake's house. Then he
expatiated on the ease with which one
person may be mistaken for another, and
brought witness to show how Gueldo had
already been said to resemble some one in
the village. Finally, he produced three OF
the ill conditioned 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.
It was a clear case of alibi. Jake
Smiths establishment at the ease with
which the thing had been accomplished,
was unbounded. He threw a Disguised
look toward Pilbaldo, but the judge Was
nonplussed . and didn't seem to be interest
ed with things in Jake's vicinity.
"Gentlemen of the jury said he,
things has took a turn didn't altogether
expect. I don't know as there's much to
be said. I s'pose you've got to go by the
evidence, am that don't need any explain
in. Eff you kin make out accordin' ter
that, that Antonio Gueldo killed Jem
Blake, why just recollect, that's what yer
here fur"
The jury filed out, and the expectant
audience occupied itself with tobacco and
whispered comments.
Jake Smith fidgeted 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 I'M
dertone with his counsel and Blake's
widow satstaring at them with compressed
lips, and a strong expression OF determine
tion coming into her face.
1t wasn't long before the jury filed in
again, all seating themselves but the
spokesman, and Judge Pilbalbo rose wip-
ing his forehead with his shirt sleeve.
he nodding to the spokesman.
The man nodded slowly in return.
"Wal let's have it then"
Yer see,'' said the spokesman, with
hesitating and disappointed air. ''ef yer
hadn't corraIled us with stickin' ter the
evidence, we might done better, but &C
cordin' ter that, Antonio wasn't thar
when the murder was done, an eff he
warn't thar he couldn't done it, an eff
! he didn't do it, why-then-o course,
he's-not guilty"
Pilbaldo didn't dare to look at anybody,
he stared up at the rafters-down at the
table-nowhere in particular; and then
turned half way to Antonio.
"You kin CO." said be, speaking with
deliberation, 'sbut wouldn't stay round
here too long,"
There was dead pause for minute.
and nobody moved.
Jake Smith exploded a single expressive
word, which he had held in for some time
past, and Blake's widow stood up.
''Have you got through, judge" she
asked.
"Wal--I-s'pose So"
"And there nothing more to be done?''
'sI'm afraid there ain't.''
''And he's free to go ?''
'Y-a-a-s."
Antonio Gueldo rose with an insolent
grin, and picked up his hat.
The baby crowed, for it saw the glitter
ing thing again.
There was shap report-Antonio pitch
ed forward in heap upon the floor, and
Blake's widow stood with the pistol press
ed to her breast.
A line of thin blue smoke curled up from
the muzzle of the weapon. and formed a
halo around the child's faxen head. The
glittering thing was quite near the little
hands now, and they took it from the
yielding grasp of the mother.
Blake's widow looked steadily at the
figure on the floor-it was quite motion
less-then she turned, and went through
the wide passage opened for her by the ST.
lent crowd, holding the baby very tender
ly, and the baby carrying the pistol.
The child laughed with delight; it had
got it's shining plaything at last.