Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-01-18

sidrteu out one AFTERNOON. mSre with the
secret hope of seeing Dick than any
other object. She looked white and
worn, mere shadow of herself, walk
ing In the sunlight like some poor, lost
soul, out of place IN the world. She
sat down on the bank, but familiar
whistle started her which brought the
color to her cheeks.
"Hello, Liz" he exclaimed, "yor
have crawled out of your hole at last. I"
His face had an uneasy expression. 81
thought L wouldn't disturb yon." he,
said half apologetically. Il could not
do any good, and l hate funerals, and
such reminders. Now, Liz what are you
going to do?''
She looked at him earnestly, but he
turned away on pretense of plucking a
cluster of manzanita berries that hung
above his head.
'I-well-" he said, stammering, "the
fact is, I'm too poor. Liz. We must
wait for while still"
81 can't wait, Dick"
One morning Liz went down town to
obtain some supplies, for Dick had sent
her some money as a present by boy
that day. She saw knots of men gather
ed in the street, discussing something
very excitedly. She went into store
and asked:
What is the matter?'
"They just took Dick Beech up to the
calaboose for stealin' Long Toms pile
last night, who lives above you, and
they are going to try him right of. Bet
ter go down to the court house.
She turned away and followed the
stream of men, women and children
who were running toward the large
wooden court house. The jury was en-
paneled, the men constituting Ii of
course were miners and their looks to
ward the prisoner at the bar did not
tend to re-assure him. LIZ stood
in the back of the room, white as
marble, listening breathlessly.
Long Tom shuffied up, attired in his
Sunday best, and appeared as uneasy as
young barrister wrestling with his
maiden speech.
"Waal." he begun, II just handed
over the dishes and truck, for Topsy,
my dawg, TO HEX, when L thought of
somethin' / wanted down town so / left
my pile in ole sack under the bed, some
Jumps and pieces of silver. bout a hand
full, reckon. was gone Just bout an
hour. When came in the bag was IN
the middle of the floor. TUX it up and
shook it. 1t was empty as Jobs turkey,
and I'd seen Dick Beech sulkin' round
thar while before and no one else was
near. I'd know that silver this side of
Halifax cause L cut an Y, my mark, on
the four bit piece"
Iix started, and looked at the money
in her hand There was the mark. i'll
cut and jagged, but plain as day. She
closed her fingers tightly over the pieces,
and faintness came over her. She
staggered, caught hold of bench near,
for now she knew Dick Beech was a
guilty man, a criminal and-she loved
HIM.
Long Tom descended from the stand
with well-satisfied air. The attorney
for defense spoke few moments, evil
IDENTIFY as a matter of form, for his ar
guments were weak and lame, showing
his spirit was not in the work. The jury
returned and rendered their verdict OF
guilty. The judge said:
prisoner at the bar, the court has
found, when man is guilty of theft. he
should be hanged by the neck until he
is dead"
A hush fell upon the crowded room,
and they looked intently at the prisoner.
Dick lifted his head. looking haggard
and appealingly toward the crowd, as II
seeking sympathy, but there was none
for the guilty in all those upturned
faces. Before he could reply, Liz push
ed her way through the crowd, and
stood before the Judge. who regarded
her sternly. Two bright spots burned
on her cheeks. She looked straight at
Dick as she spoke and the people listen
ed breathlessly.
.If it please your honor, / am guilty, u
she said, proudly, looking steadfastly al
Dick. A CLEAN of Joy and relief passed
over his countenance. The color died
from her face; and weary look came
into her eyes.
"Does the man recognize this 2" she
said, holding out few dollars in hei
hand.
Tom came forth. "Yes he said, Joy
fully, chats my mark. could sweai
to it.
Dick covered his face with his hands,
and would not look at her; but her eyes
never left him, looking at him as if she
could read through his cowardly soul.
81 am willing to die Judge, only LEI
il be soon. You shall have the rest
| Only let me speak once to the innocent
gentleman"
Groans of derision burst from the
crowd. A boy threw astoue which strucE
her, but she stood there as if she had
been a carved statue, and did not utter
o word.
"What you've got to say, say quick
lly," commanded the Judge.
She went to Dick and whispered to
him. He tried to kiss her hand, but she
snatched it quickly away, rubbing 1t, az
if his touch contaminated it.
"You will find everything in n y cabir
tonight, ''she said quietly to the Judge
Il haye nothing more to say. L an
guilty"
| Dick Beech walked out of the room {
free man. He was pitied and praised
while she was reviled by every tongue
and he did net say a word in defense o
her. She merely glanced at him bu
there was a world of love, misery, disap
pointment and reproach in that single
look.
| They mitigated the sentence, becaus'
she was woman, but many long year
Liz Byrnes expiated Dicks crime IN th'
Nevada Jail. After her term was serye'
she went back again to the old log cabn
ON the hill, an outcast, an object o
scorn to all the people; martyr, saint
to the angels above.
1t was winter time, and the rain de
scended from the heavens In soli'
{ sheets.
Liz sat with hands folded, watchin!
the storm; but she was not afraid
though the wind threated to blow dow
, the old shanty at every gust. Througl
+ the storm some one was beating his wa
, 10 her door, as a fiercer blast blew
! open, it drove a man, with drlppin
clothing, into the light. j.,
r .'Tom," she asked, gently, "what d
Won want here.