Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-03-22
HANS LAW Is EOUIVOCAL,
But Gods Judgment Is Direct.

coyefy that Colonel Martin Bragg had
been murdered. Bragg's body was
found In the road. On his bresS5.
weighted down with stone, was found
a note bearing these words:
%Man's law is equivocal, but God'a
Judgment is direct"
The handwriting, every one said, was
a clue, and so it proved to be. Old
Hiram Chancel was arrested. He ac-
knowledged that he had written the
note, but beyond that he would say
nothing, only adding that when the
proper time came he would make salts
factory explanation. The arrest of the
old man added to the excitement. No
one IN the community was more highly
respected than he; no one was more
kind-hearted; no one stood better in
the church. People knew not what to
think. Chancel's intimate friends went
to the Jail where he was confined and
begged him to say something that
might lead to his release on bond, but
be invariably shook his head and re-
piled:
"No, gentlemen, shall say nothing
Tue DIODcI COlACo.
But you may be hanged"
~If so, all right. Wait until the time
comes and then / will explain"
The courtroom was crowded when
old Chancel was arraigned. Every one
was anxious to hear his explanation.
When the time came he arose and said:
Ladies and gentlemen, shall not
detain you with long story. l have
studied my explanation until I can
make it in direct way without the
waste of words. Many of you doubt
less remember my little boy-the only
child 1 ever had, the child Of
my old age. He died and 1 buried him
in the old cemetery near the Brush
Fork Westinghouse. This was years
ago. One day last month Colonel
Bragg came to me and said:
'Chancel, see that your title to
that cemetery lot is not worth any
thing. The man you bought it from
had taken it up without authority
is that So? ] asked. Then I will
go and get deed to it.
you are too late, he replied. I
have already secured deed
We'll, 1 will buy the lot of you
No, don't care to sell it. 1 want
to use it for family burying ground.
"'Well, said 1, let me know IN time
and will remove my little boy
"'All right
ibid not think that he had treated
me rightly, still 1 was not angry. l
would remove the dust so dear to me
and bury it near my house. A rainy
season set in andI could not attend to
the matter, but as Bragg had told me
that he would let me know in time, ]
felt no uneasiness. One evening ]
walked over to the graveyard. My boy
had been exhumed. Great God! !
found his bones lying in corner OF
the fence. 1 became furious. 1 felt
that Bragg had committed a crime
worse than murder. / started toward
his house. Every object was indis'
tinct.
'Helloar some one called.
Il looked up. Bragg stood in the
road twas some time before could
speak. would not be rash
Colonel Bragg, said I, did you dig
mp the Zones of my child?
"No, didn't do it.
who did?'
ga man.
"What man.?
"'Oh, never mind. It makes no diff
ference. He was acting under my or
ders.'
Hooked steadily at him. His face
wore malicious grin.
Did you not say that you would let
me know in time?'
HE grinned with broader hellishness,
and replied: Yes, but thought you
might be busy. 1 never like to bother
my neighbors. By the way, you made
speech against me when 1 ran for the
legislature. You did not let me know
in time. l was sorry to have your boys
bones disturbed, for he was a handsome
little fellew, but have made it a rule
never to remain long IN debt. Good
evening"
Hold on, sirp 1 demanded. He had
attempted to pass me. He stopped
and grinned at me. Still determined
not to be rash, said:
Colonel, 1 did not believe that any
man could treat another US you have
treated me. 1 opposed your election
because 1 thought the other candidate
would make better representative.
You had no right to think So
Yes, had. He is an ADLER man
than you are
You are liar
"'Well, let US not discuss the matter.
I am a peaceable man
You are compelled to bep he ex-
claimed Get out of my way. 1 have
heard enough of your whimpering. He
attempted to pass me. 1 stepped in
front of him. He struck me with his
fist. 1 seized him. The struggle was
brief. With arms made doubly strong
by q rightful cause, Threw him to the
ground, sat upon him, and with stone
which found within reach, beat his
damnable head into jelly-I mashed
his hellish grin into the ground. This,
ladies and gentlemen. is all the explain
alton have to offer"
The jury rose and filed ont. The au-
dience departed The Judge disap-
peared. The sheriff approached Chan
eel and said:
@Old man, you can go, fer there