The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-18

Bet ran TO the door, and shading her eyes with
her hand. looked out Four five men we're
running along the road towards the house,
searching and cursing fercely. She had no idea
what had happened. but she knew they were
workmen from the bridge, and desperate look
ing gang they we're TO her frightened eyes. For
moment her heart guailed They might muir
der her and her mother, as well as Bill Sanders.
He was incapable of offering any defense just
then, and pity filed her heart. Her eyes
flashed. her lips were set in determined line.
They should not get him if she could help it.
"Q1ick nam, blow the horn for pap" she said.
then sprang up on chair and took down her
fathers shotgun from oyer the door, trusty
weapon he loved next TO his wife and daughter.
Don't you'uns come emmy higher till you tell
what you want" she sai0 clearly, raising the gun
in ner none too steady hands as they scrambled
over the fence. For moment they were non
plussed, and stared at her with mixture of sur
prise and uncertainty.
I'VE want the man that's hid In there" said
one lowering fellow fercely.
what for?"
'"To hang to the nearest tree"
whats he been adon?'
s'Killing friend of our'E down on the rail
road"
The horror of it almost took her breath, but
she maintained her defensive attitude bravely.
That's turrible thing" she said praying
that every blast of the horn would bring her
See here. young woman, you'd better get
outer that and let us have him.. We don't mean
no harm to you, but we amt got time to argue
with you
"Pm plum sorry for you 'uns, bus I'm bound
ter do what kin fer the law. We 'uns air peace
able folks here, an like ter be punished 'cordin
ter law If you 'uns II git the jestice O. the
peace. an have Mr.. Sanders TUX ter Jail, amt
Their wrath was evidently cooling somewhat,
and they were forced to a reluctant admiration
of her pluck.
If they had known that she was trembling
like a leaf, that her arms were feeling nerveless
aud weak, her eyes dml She knew that she
could not hold out much longer in that threaten
ing attitude. A moment of dead silence fell
while the men consulted in whispers, and Bet
could hear the deep. hurried breathing OF the
hidden man and the Mortified means and ejacu-
lations of her mother with distinctness abso-
lutey painful to her. But help had come Her
strained eyes wandered despairingly from those
dark angry faces confronting her, and she saw
her father and two or three other men coming
through the lot.
Matters were at last peaceably adjusted. DIR.
Crow argued so mildly and reasonably with the
avenging party that they consented-the farmers
bearing them company-to take their prisoner
and allow the law to deal with him.
"But III tell you what, Sanders, you owe your
life to that girl. We would killed you, sure, if
she hadn't stood up in your defense like she did.
We didn't want to hurt her, said one of the men
grimly, and Sanders groaned heavily. He gave
Bet one humbly grateful glance as they led him
away
The whole occurrence occupied but brief
space of time in the bright summer day. The
dust settled softly upon the road behind the re
treating footsteps of the sef-appointed posse and
their prisoner, and the crickets shrilling in the
grass seemed the only living thing left Bet
sank down on the doorstep and hid her face in
her hands, faint and weak from the strain upon
her nerves.
Drink this honey, hitll do you'uns good"
said her mother, holding trimming eourd of
water to her pale lips, and she drank little and
declared that she felt better.
do you uns 'spose they'll hang him, Betl' in
q fearful whisper.
II don't know, nam, if he's TUX human life
she paused with shudder.
A new sensation had been furnished the set
Element and far greater one than the mere
theft of little money. The men met to discuss
the crime, and the women spoke Of 1t in low,
awestruck tones Then it was discovered that
the man had not been killed, but badly wounded
and stunned. A quieter spirit prevailed, and
when it came out that the stranger had struck
the first blow and that Sanders had only acted
on the defensive. the tide of public sympathy
turned in his favor.
1t does not belong to this story to go into all
the details of the trial held at the September
term of the county court. 1t is enough to say
the young man was acquitted. and walked out
of the court room pale, but subdued and quiet
He went direct to farmer Crows, and walked
into the room where Bet sat with her patch
work. She greeted him with grave kindness,
and asked him to sit down, but he declined. pre-
ferring to stand. He twisted the flexible willow
switch he carried nervously around in his
hands, and swallowed audibly as though some
thing choked him.
''They'e tuck my life shure in their first mad
fit if hit hadn't been for you'uns Bet. he said
finally, with an effort II don't know what to
say, amt much fer words, but
please don't say nothin' bout hit Bill she
pleaded in great embarrassment. Folks air a
putin what done up too high If l helped
you'uns, hit WASN'T noIhin' more'n duty, seein' as
yer was plum tuckered out with runnln, I'd
done hit for enny5ody."
Don't know that better'n youuns, Bet" he
exclaimed bitterly Don't / know youuns
can't bear the sight o me, but I'm agoin' to show
yer that amt ungrateful fer what youuns done
fer me-"
He passed his hand over his eyes. "Bet, I
done somethin' for youuns that for yer sake I'm
now agoin' ter undo. Next Sunday is meetn'
day at Cool Spring an I'm agoin ter make pub
lie acknowledgements o my temptations, an, the
doins' O. Satan in my heart. I've keered for
you'uns mighty nigh to the ruination o. my
hopes for better world. But if God Almighty
kin forgive me, then you'uns kin tn, Bet. Good
evenn.'
He turned to CO. She sprang up, scattering
her quilt pieces right and left.
''Billa she gasped, but he strobe hastily out
of the room, mounted his horse and rode away.
The last song had been sung and the congrega-
ton at Cool Spring Church were about to rise to
receive the benediction when Bill Sanders stood
people. AS he met the curious, expectant eyes
fixed upon him. he seemed to wayer, to finch
from his purpose
"Jes' speak out, Brother Sanders" said the
pastor encouragngy, and the kindly voice Of
the old man gave him fresh strength.
sBrother'n an sstrn. hit becomes my duty
ter tell you'uns O. the temptations I've been
falln under this year. and ter AK yer forgiveness
an yer prayers I've been a wandern fer from
the right way. I done err turrible thing ter
brother Tom Fannin, took away his good name,
an made him q byword an en- example o. evil
among yer. For the sake O. one who hit amt
becomin' in me ter name here, an who amt ter
blame any more'n innocent child, lowed
myself ter hate him, ter wanter cast disfavor pom
him."
He paused, and pinfall might have been
heard in that church, SO intensely quiet. so
breathess were the excited people. He looked