The Labor enquirer., 1882-12-30

:
He was silent for awhile. then, clearing
his throat, he began to stammer. After
breakfast time, Sam'll be TUX before a
magistrate for examination. Now, there's
one point, Matty, as I haven't told you
on. 1t was just 9 o'clock when Sam Car
/ ton metStiIes coming out of Ford's lane;
DR.. NJ Coy says as Fullmer had at that
/ time been dead nigh onto an hour; ne
I was on the spot near as soon as Stiles
and examined the body. Now, what
time did Sam Carton leave this house?
If but abit before 9, only enough to give
him time to go through FQrd's lane, then
This story is true, an he found Fullmer,
Edead already, there. But if he left you
an hourbefore goin' into Ford's lane-do
Eyou see? Where was he all that time
ontil he goes out an finds Stiles, an what
was he about?" ~ -s/ =,
Martha Tolivar sprang to her feet and
walked to the window. She did see.
| Oh, God! where had. he been? Some
cold grip seemed to have ciutched at her
throat, she drew her breath heavily. =.
Clifton, the 'torney, was there, last
night" pursued her father, eyeing her
keenly askance, AN he says to Sam,
Carton, he says, doubtless you can
prove an alibi. If you can account for
yourself up to 8:45, it's all right, for Full
mer had evidently been dead some time,
he says. Sam said nothin'. Now, Matty,
they'll call on you for witness in an
hour or two" He affected not to see her
shiver, but went on hurriedly. IF you
can prove as Sam Carton left this house
nigh onto 9 O'Clock, his business is all
right. There's none knows but you and
him. Mother--she was asleep down in
the Kitchen; was at the meetin' 1t
rests with you, Martha"
"I-H
"WelI, we'll" opening the door, don't
say nothin to me. Wait till you-you
think bit This matter of time is sich
an uncertain thing. It'll take you to con-
slider spell 1t might a seemed s to
you when he left, when it was raaly 9.
Don't be in hurry its-it's Sans life as
is dependin' on it."
He held the door moment, mumbling
to himself, looking at her with his bony
face and gray eyes full of a strange un-
speakable pity and affection; then he
shut the door and went down the hall,
rapping at the prisoners doors who were
noisy, and swearing at them. =
She dressed herself mechanically and
sat down on wooden stool by the fire
place, where there were only a few half
burned GOALS, hiding her head in her
lap. Her mother came in, bringing hot
tea presently, and one of the women to
make the fire followed, watching Martha
curiously-
;H'You can go, Sukey," said Mrs. Tolivar,
her voice more gentle than Martha had
ever heard it. "PlI build the fire." and
when she was, gone:
"Oh! Matty, kin you. save him? What
dye mind of the timer"
None . that ere, ;" said the jaiIor, who
was watching at the door, you quit
worritin' that child, wife. You build
that fire an then come out o. here Did
l ask her Questions?"
Mrs. Tolivar took Matty's fingers in
her fat lands and squeezed them, then
obeyed and left her alone
At 10 o'clock she was to 60 to the mag
istrates o flee, they told her:
Yesterday, when she had planned a
strong heroic life for herself, she had
fancied how self-poised, serene she
would be when Gods great judgments
met her face to face New Years had
come. Was this the supreme new life,
the grapple with destiny she had hoped
for? She never thought to ask. 1t was
the old moil Of thought and people.
Sam, the Jail, crime but soul and body
were wrenched alike with the fierceness
of the struggle. 1t was only the old
lover, Sam, with his stubby, sandy hair,
red hands and truthtelling eyes; but
she loved him so madly that day, that
she could have been glad to let out drop
by drop the blood from her veins to save
him from pain. To save him from
death
1t was no new revelation of sublime
duty flashing on her to-day; only the
old God, her father had read to her of