The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-02-20

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Every one being now present, the
trial went ON in good earnest. A num-
Der Of witnesses were examined, whose
testimony showed that Gueldo had had
trouble with Blake, and nor than once
threatened his life that Gueldo's pistol
was one charge short on the evening OF
the day Of the murder. whereas IN the
morning il had been full; that he was
seen that morning around Blake's house,
and more than all that Blake's widow
had heard Gueldo's voice just beforeth the
fatal shot, and had seen his rctreating
form as she ran in.
At this last point the Galveston law
yer asked the witness a few questions
regarding how she knew IL was Gueldo,
and how she had recognized the voice
for his. She didn't know how exactly,
but was none the less sure for that.
There had been a rumor about that
some one had heard Antonio make a
boast of having "done for Blake this
time" but If there were a witness for
this he could not be found now.
And 50 the prosecution closed.
The Galveston lawyer began by in
volving in a whirlpool OF hopeless con-
tradiction the witness who had sworn to
having seen Gueldo lear Blake's house.
Then he expatiated on the ease with
which one person may be mistaken for
another, and brought a witness 10 show
how Gueldo had already been said to
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 "A
hunting expedition during the whole of
the day on which the murder was COM
mitted.
1t was a clear case Of alibi. Jake
Smiths astonishmcnt At the ease with
which the thing had been accomplished
was unbounded. He threw a disguised
look towards Pitblado, but the Judge
was nonplussed, and didn't seem TO be
interested with things in Jake's vicinity.
There was a pause before Pitblado
gave his charge, and when he rose his
face was rather blank.
"Gentlemen Of the jury" said he,
.things has took a turn | didn't alto
gether expec'. don't know As there's
much 10 be said. / s'pose you've got TO
90 by the evidence, an that don't need
any cxplainin'. IF you kin make out
accordin' 10 that, that Antonio Gueldo
killed Jem Blake, why, just recollect,
that's what yer here fur"
The jury filed out, and the expcctant
audience occupied itself with tobacco
and whispered comments.
Jake Smith fidgcted about on his box,
and cast anxious glances through the
open door, towards the clump Of nopals
where the Jury were celebrating.
Antonio talked and laughed in an UNI
dertone with his counsel, and Blake's
widow sat staring at them with COM
pressed lips, and a 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.
Strengthened il out, have yer?" nod
ding to the spokesman.
The man nodded slowly in return.
"Wal, les have il them
eyer see,' said the spokesman, with
a hesitating and disappointed air, "ef
yer hadn't a corralled us with stickin'
ter the evidence, we might a done bet
ter, but accordin' ter thu, Antonio
wasn't thar when the murder was done,
an eff he warn't thar, he couldn't a
done it, an ef 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-down
at the table-nowhere in particular and
then turned halfway towards Antonio.
"You kin CO." said he speaking with
great elaboration, = but | wouldn't stay
round here too long"
There was a dead pause for a minute,
and nobody moved.
Jake Smith exploded a single express
i've word, which he had heldin for some
time past, and Blakc's widow stood up,
"Havc YOU got through, Judge?" she
asked.
"Wal-I-s'pose so.-
"And there's nothing more to be
doneP''
Elm afraid Their amt"
"And he's free TO go?"
"Y-a-a-s.r
Antonio Gueldo rose with an insolent
grin, and picked up his hat.
The baby crowcd, for Ii saw the gilt
tering thing again.
There vas a sharp report-Antonio
pitched forward in a heap upon the
floor, and Blake's widow stood with the
pistol pressed to her breast.
A line Of thin blue smoked curled up
from the muzzle of the weapon and
formed a halo around the child's naxcn
head. The glittering thing vas quite
near the little hands now, and they took
it from the yielding grasp Of the mother
Blakc's widow looked steadily at the
figure on the foor-it was quite notion
less-then she turned, and went through
the wide passage opened for her by the
silent crowd, holding the baby very
tendcrly, and the baby carrying the