Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-05-23

smart and kinder independent, larnin'
to be doctor. And think there had
orter be lady doctors myself. They is
things you can say better to a woman
But I'll call Bijah."
She left the room as she spoke, and
was heard talking to some one beyond
an inner door. Then she came back.
"Bijah will come as soon as he's
washed his face and put him on col.
lar" she said. Hes real glad you've
come. He kinder thinks you might think
of something, though what ti1ere is to
think of goodness knows"
II am so sorry for him." said Belle.
"Well. that helps some when you're
feelin' real Desperate said Mrs. Fem,
rocking the baby. A moment more
Abijah Fem came into the room. He
was naturally a pleasant looking man of
forty odd, his light brown hair had a
wave in it, and his eyes had full lids and
long lashes like those Of a woman, but
they were red and swollen just now. He
advanced to Belle and held out his hand
"Glad to see you and your friend, Miss
Yolande," he said. "You must think
me great baby, but what my wife has
told you about has broke me all up.
There amt been a man executed here
before for twenty years. can't do it;
can't. And it means out into the world
again for me and my folks if l resign.
Even so, / dunno as could get off be-
fore the day. know Couldn't He
paused. The girls could think of moth
ing to say. He did not seem to expect
that they should, but went on slowly:
"If it was one of them tramps, like the
one that murdered the peddler down to
Groton, could brace up" he said; but
this is the incest fellow, a gentleman,
Miss Yolande. I'm as sure he is inno-
cent as am that that there baby is. He
couldn't murder nobody; faint in him.
NY wife knows it as well as me. Don't
you, Sarah JaneF'
81 feel to know it, Bijah," replied the
woman. He says to me, says he, i
pray you to believe me innocent, for
am. So pretty he spoke. can't allow
it is right for Bijah to hev to hang him
! wish you'd go in and see him, ladies,
and see what you jedge by his looks.
He is furrin, but he is real nice. He is
q artist"
at would be a comfort" said Mr..
Fem. "You see lots of folks in the
city, and you air real smart. You might
get an idea whether or no he done it.
I'd like you should go in"
"We will CO." said Belle. "But tell
me, what sort of murder was itT'
"They is different kinds" said Mrs.
Fem. "Some is jest temper, this
warn't. 1t was a mean, low down sort.
for money"
"Old Uncle Peter White" said the
sheriff-"a good, kind old man, foolish
about keepin' money in the house in a
lonesome place. This gentleman is q
furriner. That helps set folks agin him,
they bein' q prejudice on account of them
Eyetalians, and while he was down here
a-sketchin'. maxim picturs, Uncle Peter
boarded him. Tom Bond, Smiths hired
hand, give the wust evidence agin him,
and, to be sure, his razor was found on
the floor near where Uncle Peter was a.
lyin' with his throat cut. All the boxes
and drawers wus open, and bloody water
where some one had washed their hands
in the boarder's room, and when they ar
rested him he had Uncle Peters watch
in his pocket. He swore he wus takin'
it to be repaired, but they didn't believe
him. Make him talk to you; want
your Judgment. A woman's Judgment
is good on faces, anyway, and you're
.extry smart"
Mr.. Fem took bunch of keys from
peg behind the door.
"They tried to lynch him when he was
fetched here fust and on his way to
court" he said. There amt nobody
but thinks him guilty only u.s. Eff he
was, don't want to hang no man, but
feel to know that he never donei it." And
having come to the corner of the build,
ing that was used for the prison he un-
locked the door. As they entered the
air felt at once close and chilly, and the
cell into which they We're admitted was
rather dark. AT the farther end a man
sat on wooden chair before deal table,
his face hidden in his arms.
"Senor, I've fetched some company to
bc0 yOu-ldulSo, odAu 4AAs HCAhs
The prisoner lifted his head. showing
q sad and beautiful face with great dark
eyes. He looked from one to the other,
and uttered a low cry, and Belle Yo-
lande, stepping before the others, put
out her hand Then the two began to
speak rapidly in Spanish, which Genie
did not understand.
They talked for half an hour. while
the sheriff stood staring at them. Then
Miss Yolande offered her hand again,
and walked out of the cell.
II know you don't think he done it. |
know that by your shakin' hands" said
Mr.. Fem when they had turned the
corner.
II would stake my life on his inno-
cencel" said Belle Yolande. turning a
white face toward him. my lifel Yes,
my soull He shall not die!"
Maybe she kin do suthin. seein' how
she feels" the sheriff said. watching the
girls out of sight.
no BE CONTINUED