Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-04-23
CHAPTER III.
A SCOTCH VERDICT.
VOL. 10

SCOTCH VERDICT.
Arrived at police station the party
marched in and halted in front Of big
counter behind which sat benignant-
looking man reading a book. Drane
saw that it was volume of Shakespeare,
and he felt dim hope that this man
at least would prove to be kind and
trusting. He did not know the New
York policemen, though he was scraping
acquaintance with the species faster
| than he really cared to. The man at
the desk continued to read until he had
come to a convenient stopping place
when he took up a pen, looked at Drane
and asked:
whats your name?"
1t flashed over poor Lawrence that all
the reporters in town would write up
his adventures, that the accounts would
be telegraphed to Western newspapers,
and that full measure of disgraceful
notoriety would be heaped upon him.
/ So, tom Jones" he replied at hazard.
! The benignant mans face wrinkled into
an incredulous sneer, but he put the
name down without a word. Then,
"Where do you live?" he demanded.
kansas City," faltered Lawrence,
utterly at loss to carry on his fiction,
and when he was questioned as to his
| business he hung his head in despair.
! His garments would belle his claim to
| be gentleman; for the same reason he
could not explain that he was charged
with enlisting Boston capital in the in
terest of new railroad, commission
/ hot hn fOr h
sake of diversion than for any need of
money-making, and in fair frenzy of
misery he blurted out:
81 haven't any businessp'
"Umph! walking gent, suppose, said
the man at the big desk. "What were
you oing with this man and woman?"
The young lady at once began a pro-
test and explanation which was checked
by the officer in charge of her, who
growled;
"Say, yous, will you keep quiet until
you're asked to say something?"
The accuser declared that Drane had
assaulted him and tried to rob him.
Lock him up, said the benignantman
drily; and the obedient policeman con-
Quoted Lawrence to a cell. AS he passed
young lady sobbing bitterly. Walking
down the corridor he repressed the tre-
mendous resentment that ragged within
him, but as soon as the key was turned
he addressed his conductor:
81 wish you'd let me have word with
you"
The officer paused. Drane had in
tended to tell his story, hoping to con.
vince his jailor, if not of his innocence,
that at least there was grave error in
the proceed rgs somewhere, but his feel
ings overpowered aim.
I'D have you understand" he ex-
claimed, that you don't know whom
you are dealing with. | could buy this
house fifty times over and not feel it
My reputation never has been ques-
toned, and somebody will suffer for
this. Why"
"Oh, rats" interrupted the jatlor, and
he walked away. There is no phrase in
polite or vulgar literature that COM
presses so much contempt into so small
space as that one word "Ratsr' 1t is
unanswerable, com mpiete, depressing. As
Lawrence listened to his jailor's re-
treating footsteps his resentment turned
to disgust.
THAT just shows" he thought, chow
ill-ftted am for these clothes. If had
been brought up to wear them should
have known how to express myself
adequately. Some really shocking
language might have had an effect on
that fellow"
Then for four mortal hours Lawrence
ruminated on visions of penal servi-
tude, balls and chains, breaking rocks
stories of galley slaves; and he wondered
whether much famed Sing Sing would
be better ventilated than his present
quarters. He took one little comfort In
his gruesome refections-he could al
least depend on something to eat as
long as the Government should be his
host. There was no breakfast fol
him, however, and when at las
he was marched to Jefferson
Market court he was in that state oi
faintness that he would have walked
willingly many miles had the officers
required it. Without realizing how
time had passed, or what had happened
he found himself one of a nondescript
company shut in by an iron railing. The
audience room was crowded with spec
tators, and in the enclosure where he
stood were policemen, lawyers and re
porters. Lawrence shPualt as close as he
could against the wall and gave way tc
profound Encouragement.
We'll, pard,' said low voice at his
side, ''you seem to have struck it rough
this time"
Drane saw man in rags more loath
some than his own, with rum-bloateC
features leering at him sympathetically
"You have the advantage of me, sir, >
he responded, haughtily.
4 guess not" said the other, with {
dreadful smile. That amt to say tha
knows We, that l ever had the honor o
'sociatin' with We, but l recognize The
fraternity Whereyer comes across 'em
see?"
Drane shuddered.
I'm goin' to take a vacation at TN,
island" continued the other, cheerfully
Got kind o tired walkin', an need Il
rest up. Spect to go up for long?"
II don't know what they will do will
me" replied Drane, land don't wan
to talk to you"
'All right, all right" said the raga
muffin, ''only if you Amt used IS thi
business you'll find fore long that 1T
uscfu! to make friends wherever you cal
pick 'em up. No tellin' what mai
might do for you, seer
Lawrence turned away, fee1iAs in hi
disgusta forlorn conviction that the fei
low was probably right. At the othe
side of the court where several womel
prisoners were grouped he saw th'
: young lady whose misfortune had had S,
: much to do with bringing him there. Ill
started at once TO go over and speak T.
: her, and of course q policeman preventei