Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-03-05

vantage W Ii 10 LOOKING upon IL
even in this Light and without any
reference to his family and the possible
effects on his own moral nature, we
shall assume great responsibility in
deliberately subjecting such person to
criminal prosecution, and perhaps con-
viction."
This was enough. "Well," said 1, I'VE
will release the young fellow and send
the two other rascals to JAIL
THAT was not well expressed" said
my wife, "but we will not critl words
at present"
We returned to the library and an
nounced my decision. When he heard
it the stout burglar exhibited no emo
ton. His expression indicated that,
having been caught, he expected to be
sent to Jail, and that was the end of it.
Perhaps he had been through this ex-
perience SO often that he had become
used to it. The tall man, however, took
the announcement in a very different
way. His face grew dark and his eyes
glittered. "You are making a great
mistake" he said to me, "a very great
mistake, and you will have to bear the
consequences"
Every good, ;" said 1, 81 will remember
that remark when your trial comes on"
The behavior of the young man was
unexoeptional. He looked upon us
with face full Of happy gratitude, and,
as he thanked us for the kind favor and
the justice which we had shown him,
his eyes seemed dim with tears. Aunt
Martha was much affected.
''I wonder if his mother is livingr'
she whispered to me. "a wife is a great
deal, but a mother is more. If had
thought of her sooner l would have
spoken more strongly in his favor.
And now you should unite him at once
and let him go home. His wife must be
getting terribly an xious."
The young man overheard this last
remark.
"You will confer very great favor on
me, slr," he said, 'if you will let me
depart as soon as possible. feel great
repugnance to being seen in company
with these men, as you may imagine,
from wearing a mask on coming here.
II leave Immediately l think l can
catch the first train from your station"
considered the situation. If did
bound burglars to guard, three women
and ch1i1 to protect, an uncertain
stranger at liberty, and only David and
myself to attend to the whole business.
mo, sir" said I, 81 shall not unite you
until the officers / sent for are near at
hand; then 1 will release you, and you
can leave the house by the back way
without being seen by them. There
are other morning trains which will
take you into the city early enough"
81 think you are little hard on
him" remarked Aunt Martha, but the
young man made no complaint.
II will trust myself entirely to you,
SIR" he said.
The officers arrived much sooner than
1 expected. There were five of them,
including the chief of police, and they
were accompanied by several volunteer
assistants, among whom was the milk
man who had been my messenger. This
morning his customers might wait for
their milk, for all business must give
way before suoh an important piece of
sightseeing as this.
had barely time to unite the Young
man and take him to the back of the
house before the officers and their fol-
lowers had entered the front door.
There was now great deal of question
ing, great deal of explanation, a great
deal OF discussion as to whether my way
OF catching burglars was advisable or
not, and good deal of talk about the
best method of taking the men to town
Some of the officers were in favor of re-
leasing the two men and then deciding
in what manner they should be taken to
town; and If this plan had been adopted
believe that these two alert and prac.
tical rascals would have taken them.
selves out of my house, without the as.
sistance OF the officers, or at least would
have caused great deal of trouble and
perhaps injury in endeavoring to do SO.
But the chief of police was of my
mind, and before the men we're entire
ly released from the ropes by which
had tied them theJ were securely man.
acled.
A requisitlon made on David and nv
self to appear as witnesses, the tive
men were taken from the house to the
wagons in which the officers and their
followers had come. My wife and Aunt
Martha had gone upstairs before the
arrival of the police, and were doubt
less watching the outside proceeding
from window.
Standing in the hallway, glanced
into the dining-room, and was surprised
to see the young man still standing by
side door. / had thought him gone,
but perhaps it was wise in him to re-
main, and not show himself upon the
road until the coast was entirely clear.
He did not see me, and was looking
backward into the kitchen, a cheerful
and animated expression upon his face
| This expression did not strike me
pleasantly. He had escaped q great
danger, 1t was true, but it was no reason
for this rather obtrusive air of exulta-
tion. Just then Alice came into the
iining-room from the kitchen, and the
young man stepped back, so that she
did not notice him As she passed he
gently threw his arm quietly around her
neck and kissed her.
At that very instant, even before the
girl had ame TO exclaim, in rushed
David from the outer side door
i've been watching you, you rascal, /"
he shouted; you're done for now,n and
he threw his strong arms around the
man, pinioning his arms to his side.
The young fellow gave a great Jerk
and began to struggle powerfully. His
face turned black with rage; he swore.
he kicked. He made the most frenzied
efforts to free himself, but Dayid's arms
were strong, his soul was full of Jealous
fury, and in moment l had come to his
assistance Each of US taking the young
Fellow by an arm, we ran him into the
hallway and out Of the front door, Alice
aiding us greatly by putting her hands
against the mans back and Dushinr