The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-04-14


expect to find the money on him, a
course; and it wasn't But there amt
doubt but what he's got it somewhere
Anyhow, he's having his trial now, out
to Crawford, and the chances are all
against him. We do things up quick
out this way" he concluded, with an all
of satisfaction.
Truly, this little school-teacher was a
strange person. The amusement had
died out of her face. and profound in
dignation had filled it.
She grssped his arm eagerly.
''He did not take itm she said, scorn-
fully. 81 know where it is this minute.
You must drive me out to Crawford i'm.
mediately"
She snatched the whip from its socket
as she spoke and touched the horses
lightly
The Crawford courthouse was filled to
overfiowing. The trial, coming as it did
into the midst Of the sleepy summer days,
when excitements were few, had proved
a great attraction.
1t was an exceptional trial, too The
plaintiff had been unwilling to prosecute,
and had seemed troubled ever since at
having been led into doing so. The
prisoner was the most honest-looking of
young men, and behaved remarkably, as
an innocent person would have done, and
the evidence against him was very slight,
and purely circumstantial. But in spite
of these confusing facts, the vast majOri-
ty believed in his guilt, though rather
against their wills-he was such frank
looking fellow.
Mr.. Briscomb was sitting with down
cast eyes and a troubled expression.
Horace sat, with his head in his hand
looking weary and hopeless, and the
plaintiffs counsel was demanding of the
jury, for the twentieth time, why, if the
prisoner had not taken the money, he had
come to Crawford upon the day of the
robbery upon an obviously trumped up
/ errandl Clearly, he had come to place
/ the money in safe hands; his accomplice
was probably in their midst.
The door opened suddenly and forci-
bly,, and young girl, with a flushed
and eager face, came hastily in. At the
sight of her, Horace raised his head and
his face frightened.
She gave him a swift smile, unmindful
of the astonished observers, and made
her way to Mr.. Briscomb's side.
''You buried it yourself, under the
locust-tree!' she cried, grasping his coat
front, and shaking him little IN hel
eagerness. 81 saw you. You were walk
ing in your sleep, of course; but didnt
know it then. You came down, the might
you came home with it. and dug place
under the locust tree and put it in n
Poor Mr.. Briscomb stared at her in be
wilderment; the spectators looked al
each other, and whistled softly; tho
plaintiffs counsel looked disguised.
There was solemn pause, which the
plaintiffs counsel broke by demanding
testify, that the evidence of "this per
son. be taken in the proper way
But nobody seemed to hear him.
81 used to, said Mr. Briscomb at last
slowly-'I used TO walk in my sleeI
every night regular, and do quee
enough things. But did think I'd go
over it."
Somebody in a corner of the room
clapped timid pair of hands, and tn,
next instant the room resounded will
the cheers of a delighted crowd.
How a committee of three was ap
pointed by the judge TO go and prove tn,
young lady's remarkable statement; how
that committee returned in triumph, anC
presented Mr.. Briscomb with a small DO,
of deceitfully- appearance, amiC
the enthusiastic cheers of the spectators
how, for confused period, everybod,
appeared to be congratulating everybody
else and how Mr.. Briscomb drove HON,
in state, with the surveyor and littl
school-teacher on either side of him, anC
relief and happiness beaming from hi
good-humored face-these were the chic
topics in Crawford for a week, afte
which Mr.. Briscomb's money was forgot
ten.
But Horace and Ruth had substantial
reasons for remembering it.
1t was Mr.. Briscomb's money tina
smoothed the way to their marriages a few
months later. and that built the snul
little house they called home.-Emnla A
Oppsr.