Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-04-23

th' beaks he sentenced Tim and JEFF.
The poaching rascals shall be stopped,
II have to do it single-handed.'
We'll, he'll be singIe-handed tonight
anyways, for he's no groom WI him.
So he can try what he's good for WI
three OF us; eh, Jack?'
He'll find it tough job, I'm think
ing
is t'wire right, Bob?'
SURELY His mare steps high; but
I've lowed for it, and she'll catch beau
titully. It's past twelve now; he
oughtn't TO be long,
Hist mate; there's wheels. Now
fort. Come on
The three men went out quickly, and
Jim following to the door, saw them
leap into the road and hide in the hedge
on the opposite side; then he stole down
to the gate, out of mere curiosity to
watch what their game was. In few
minutes the ring of hOofs grew louder,
and a high-wheeled dog-cart spinning
round a corner came rapidly down the
lane. 1t was occupied by one figure
only, the red glow of whose cigar
cleaned IN the frosty air, and just as
the scent of it reached jim, he saw the
horse suddenly plunge and stagger for
ward. The wire snare had done its
work, the animal fell heavily, and the
driver, thrown off his balance by the
shock, shot out on to the snow. Before
he could rise the men were upon him;
but somehow he managed to shake
them clear aud struggle to his feet. He
faced them boldly, and met their rush
with a right and left handler which
sent one to ground, but the other two
closed in upon him.
Jim looked on with languid interest.
Evidently It was some magistrate way
laid by three men who had sore 10
settle against him. 1t was no business
of his, anyway, and though three to
one was hardly far, lie was not going
10 interfere. The gentleman fought
well, whoever he was, and again sent
an assaIlant backward with a well-got-
in blow. But the odds were too heavy
and the Gu gels told. Give 1t to him,
lads, if we swing for " cried the tall
est of the three villains, jumping upon
him, mad and blind with rage.
y ray of moonlight fell upon the up
turned face of the fallen man; it was
that of the gentleman who five years
ago had talked with jim in the lauel
In an instant he was over the gate and
at the men like tlger-cdt, and so sud-
den was his onset that they gave
ground; then, seeing lie was alone, they
rushed at him with OathS and threats.
W eak from want of food and half dead
with cid poor jim had never a chance.
For a few SECONDS he held up dOggedly
against the shower of blows; then feel
ing he was done for, stopped suddenly,
flung his arms round the senseless
Squire, and, with one last effort, man
aged to roll into the deep ditch, keeping
hiIuself uppermOSt. The bruteS jumped
down and strOve to make him loose his
hold of their victim; but stunned and
blinded with blood, he clung fiercely to
Hugh BoyntOn, sheterlng his body
with his own.
The world began to spin round an
other and another heavy blow-a chin
ing Of faT-off bels--a hollow buZZing-
and then-biack night forever.
Next morning they were found to-
gether in The t ampled, bloOd-smeared
ditch-one living, the other dead.
Hugh Boynton often wonders, as he
looks at the white cross which he put
up over nameless grave, who his pr,-
server was. But the recoriing angel
Will one day tell how Jim the Tramp,
the 'Out-and-out bad lot gave his lie
for the man who once spoke kindly 10
Inn.