Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-06-12
"'Deed an double he was, an

"'Deed an double he was, an"
''Come!' was all the man said.
They left the house and hurried
away in the darkness, tho man striding
along at terrific pace, seemingly un-
mindful of the snags and brambles that
clutched him now and then. often tear
ing his clothes and scratching his flesh.
The girl ran at his side, telling more
of the story in gasping, excited, half
incoherent way.
That night sharpley was to have
taken the girl away-away out into
the great, bright world. But, while
Sharpley was w&iting at the trysting-
place, they had come and dragged him
away. And now they were going to
kill him, she moaned-lzill him, an
A gloam of light filtered through the
bushes ahead, snd presently they were
Just without the circle of brightness
cast by fire that, blazing cheerily,
revealed wei"d, wild scene. The fire.
light shone on the despai,ing face of
a man bound to q sapling--Sharp-
ley. 1t lit up the stern. deter
mined countenances-fan all of
them, to the couple beyond the circle
OF light-of mon intent upon executing
what they considered a just vengeance.
The making Of "lnoonshino" whisky,
though nominated in the statutes of
this great Government as heinous
offense, was regarded by them with
extremely lenient eyes, while the CIV
ing of information leading to the
capture of such offenders was con-
sidered the chief atrocity in the cata-
logue OF mans crimes against his fell
bowman.
The girl would have rushed forward,
but Hamlin held her back, almost saw
agely.
Guilty, err not guilty?" old Jerry
Pottle was asking of the group OF
stern-faced men about him.
"Guilty!"
''Sharpley," began old Jerry, grave
ly. you've ben foun' guilty. an"
They'll kill him!'' the girl gasped.
''Save-save--"
The hand of the man beside her
closed fiercely on her arm.
'Let them!" he whispered, Kissing
ly. He came between--''
''But, he was goin' to take me way
from here an make Il lady NV mel"
the girl whispered, pleadingly.
$50 will--But, forgot--Ugly-
ugly"
you've ben foun' guilty." old Jer-
ry was saying-''guilty Nv givin' the
Information that sent the Riggs boys
to prison-tore 'em away frum their
wives an families, left the women to
fill the hungry mouths Nv their chill
dren as best they kin, an sent 'em to a
livin' death fer half Nv their livcs!"
The stern-faced men seemed to
grasp their rifles more firmly.
| Il reckon you know what punish.
ment sech traitors as you git who sell
mems lives fer a little money. Robbed
EN- Nv half Nv their lives on this we're
yearth beca'se they made a little con
into juice, stead NV meal!'
Eyes; I knowr' answered Sharpley.
you'll murder mer'
| ut h'ain't murder to rid the yearth
Nv sneakin' houn' Nv a spy. It's
-"
"But, I'm not guilty!" Sharpley in
terrupted, desperately. 'Indeed,
did not give the information.'
Don't lie, Sharply! The news that
little Sol Bender got in town was
straight. You gave the boys up,
Mono! NotoI!" cried Sharpley,
in his desperation. lit was $50
| 'Who?' demanded old Jerry.
Jacks Hamlin!" cried the wretched
prisoner, as a last resort
You are Hart" roared old Jerry.
Jacks Hamlin--"
lis the guilty mani" uttered a steady
voice.
A little squad of men who had crept
noiselessly within hearing of the small
group ttUOuG Lll0 IRE saw I1aUlllQ SCrlQe
resolutely into the light He strobe
TO where Sharpley was bound. A re-
volver was in his hand, and with it he
waved back old Jerry and his little
squad. Quickly drawing a knife, he
severed Sharpley's bonds.
There" he said, sternly, to the
girl who had followed into the light
Il have saved him! Go-go with the
man you love, and-and may Coo
bless your
| Somehow, it almost seemed that, h
the light of the great sacrifice he hat
made, Jack Hamlin's unhandsome face
looked less ugly. The girl never once
looked at Sharpley, but kept her eyet
fixed on Hamlin's face, pale, stern an6
ugly, and it somehow seemed to hel
just then the noblest face in the world.
''Come, Hamlet" Sharpley said
eagerly, bestowing scarce a thought
upon the man who had saved his life
at the cost of the greatest sacrifice tina
a man can make. Come, I'll take