The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-08-10

.
and no hymn vas to be sung.
The rude coffin Eas borne on an
old cart, which was driven by
Billy. He seemed to resent the aid OF
any one in handling the body. But a
few old men were presentto help lower
the coffin into tho grave. When this
was done, Billy tnyned to Miss Lucy
and said, 'fYou kin reNd now
amt neresurrectiSE and the life.'
With pitiful accents the sweet voice
read the solemn words. Billy stood
by the grave, anGS seanecEin O iistiess
way upon the long handle of o shovel.
The women wept, aud the old men,
hatless about the grave, listened with
stolid indifference. When Miss Lacy
came to the words Of committal she
paused for some one 70 cast the clods
upon the coffin. No one moved, or
seemed to know what was wanted.
She stepped close to the grave, stoop-
ed down, andbtook some earth in her
hand. Dust to dust" As the clods
fell upon the coffin Billy looked at
Miss Lucy and spoke: 81 could o.
done that, Miss Lucy. / beg your
pardon, but maybe you knows. best,
an she loved you"
just then a negro came running out
Of the woods, shouting as he ran,
"Dee's COMMIT dee's commit"
Who's comm, boy?" asked Billy,
as he drew his. revolver. Then he
threw back his Head, and his nostrils
quivered with excitement.
"IJ's de guards an Mister Jim Low.
ry a-lookin' fer Mister Billy Hell STAN
ley"
Behind the boys was heard horses
feet. All was excitement now. Wom-
en- cried TO Billy to run. Men urged
him to go, but he stood still. Miss
Lucy laid her hand on his arm and
said. "Do your duty, Billy"
81 will" he said, and motioned the
people away from him.
''There he is" a voice cried, and
four men, led by Jim Lowry, rode
rapidly toward tho grave. As they
came they drew their revolvers and
called to Billy to surrender. He
stood calmly, with a slight smile play
ing about his lips. The chance of a
fight with these hunters OF men pleas
ed him. Jim dismounted, and level.
ed his pistol at Billy.
"Stand back, jim" said Billy.
"Don't none o. you men dyah ter tech
me until Miss IIucy's done reading"
Stall Jim advanced, for he did not
see the revolver in Billy's hand.
Back" cried Billy, raising his
weapon and taking aim at jim.
" 'Tain't no home gyard kin TEX me
alive onless / let's him."
''Stopl" exclaimed Miss Lucy. step
ping in front of Billy laying her hand
or his pistol. "Let him alone, jim,
until the services are done. I'll be his
security"
Jim lowered his weapon, stopped,
and said in an apologize tone, II
thought he might run"
"What fer?' said Billy. ~ amt got
nuthin' ter run fer now" and he
pointed to the open grave, and the
two little ones newly made at his
feet. A sob of pain burst from
him. Then he added, as he choked
back the tears and raised his head:
.'You kin tex me now. IF I'm ter be
shot ez a deserter, let it be done by
the soldiers, an not by a provo
gyard. Go on, Miss Lucy" and his
pistol fell into the grave.
When the services were done, Billy
took the shovel again, and began to
throw the earth uponsthe coffin. The
others helped him, and soon a little
hillcck rose above the broom-straW
and the brown pine tags.
teTek me now" said Billy to his
captors.
Tick me to the Cunt. Let him ledge
me. / thanks you, Miss Lucy, an
you kin'ir'en's. Billy Hell Stanley
amt never arcomin' back to Hell
Town again. He's a-goin' ter meet
his Judgment, only he'd rather been
shot in battle" Then he shookhands
with Miss Lucy and the others. When
he came to one Of the oldmen he said:
'fYou tex care o. my houn's, Ring an
Music. They's ole, but they's ali
that's left at the house now
As the guards mounted their horses
and placed their prisoner in front of
them, Billy turned to one Of the wom-
en- and said, 'syou kin sing now" The
little group that had been thrown in
to disorder gathered again about the
grave. and the woman to whom Billy
had spoken commenced to sing the
old funeral hymn, "Hark, from the
tomb a mournful sound,' and Billy
went into the darkness of the pines on
his way to his doom.
The court martial shat tried Billy
found him guilty. of course. and this
sentence was death. No plea could
mitigate the penalty, not though
Col. Grymes read to the court a letter
from bis sister that told in moving
words the sorrows that had beEallen
Billy. and nit though the deeds which,
had made the accused a name for bra
very were rehearsed. When Billy was
asked if he had anythingto say, he
rose and thanked those who had any
thing 70 say vino mac spoken kindly
about him.
M -N-