The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-06-06

Wire af I~.-Tagabcnd, who, re
gardeos from the lofty standpoint o
political economy, had no right to live
on the earth.
Three times did jim try his luck dowr
the length of the village street, with NJ
better success; and then he gave it VI
and bitterly left the houses of his fellow
creatures behind him and faced tn,
bleak open country again. He dragged
himself along for a few weary miles, ther
opening a gate crawled into half-ruined
cowshed and flung himself down upon
some bracken and straw litter in the
furthest corner, and dozed off. When he
woke up the moon had risen, and wa:
shining in through the chinks of the
roof, and Jim could see the countryside
was white with snow. He shivered and
buried himself completely in the bracken
and tried to sleep again and forget the
cold and his hunger. He had almost
succeeded, when the sound of voices
came to him on the still night air, and a
minute late three men entered the shed
Course the cold!' growled one as he
drew back just within the shadow.
Course him, you mean, said another,
as he leaned thick oak cudgel against
the wall and began to blow upon his
numbed fingers.
''rll do more than curse him when tn
time comes, answered the first speaker.
Gay, he'd best not have taken US i
hand. Says he, when with the rest of t.
beaks he sentenced Tim and JEFF: The
poaching rascals shall be stopped, if 1
have to do it single-handed' "
"Well, he'll be single handed tonight
anyways, for he's no groom wi him. So
he can try what he's good for wi three
ov US; Ell, Jackl"
"He'll find it tough job, I'm think
ing"
as t wire right, Bob7"
"Surely! His mare steps high; but
I've lowed for it, and she'll catch beau
tifully. It's past twelve now; he
oughtn't to be long"
''Histl 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 high
wheeled dog-cart spinning round cor
ner 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 stag
ger forward. 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 and struggle TO his feet. He faced
them boldly and met their rush with a
right and left-handsr which sent one to
the ground, but the other two closed in
upon him.
Jim looked on with languid interest.
Evidently it was some magistrate waylaid
by three men who had score to settle
against him. It was no business of his,
anyway, and though three to one was
hardly fair, he was not going to interfere.
The gentleman fought well, whoever he
was, and again sent an assailant back
ward with a well-got-in blow. But the
odds were too heavy, and the cudgels
old. He began to stagger and give
ground, and blow on the head beat him
Gown. "Give it him, lads, if we swing
e-'sd tho tallest Of the three VII