Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-12-11

II with tho sharpest steel. Ny God,
men. wish had the power to tell you
what felt last night when examined
that locket aud realized what l had
done; but can't do It. can't find the
language"
Mart Thompson again paced the floor
for almost minute; then growing
calmer he came and sat down near the
table.
"Do they know what amp he asked.
mo, they have no suspicion" Jack
replied little softly.
~ am glad Of that said Thompson,
land / have one request to make, or
rather one favor to ask Of you-that is,
that they may never know. VIII you
grant it2'
yes
Every well Now let the miners know
l am here. and let them do their work.
/ am ready"
With that Thompson folded his arms
and sat grimly silent. His face, little
flushed now, still retained its drawn,
sunkon look, and his eyes, though they
flashed with the fire Of n certain sort OF
defiance, were still hollow and dark.
His whole appearance denoted keen suf-
fering-physica as well as mental.
Jack, without q word, went out and in
formed some Of tho leading men of the
Flat Of Mart Thompson's presence in
the camp, and also of the conversation
that had taken place down at his and
Joe's cabin. Within a quarter of an
hour dozen men had gathered, and
again Thompson stated why he had
come in and surrendered. Those who
heard the story were touched by it, and
strong, rough men as they were, there
was deep down in their hearts feeling
Of pity for the highwayman
Alb johnson was the acknowledged
leader in the camp, and his companions
were anxious to hear him speak; so when
Thompson had finished, and moment
had passed in silence, some one said:
"Ab, what is your idea in this casey'
Alb did not answer Immediately, but
he shifted his weight from one foot to
the other and scratched his head Thought
fully. At last he spoke. though with
hesitation. He said:
81 hardly know what to say, men, for
this ia peculiar case. For the sake of
the old lady and the little girl would
like for US to Let Mart Thompson 20. l
would like to do it, too, on account of
his coming in and surrendering himself.
For these two reasons wish we might
spare him, for if we did he would lead
an honorable and honest life"
81 believe he would" some one muir
INJURED, and Thompson quickly raised
his eyes 10 SEQ who it was.
81 know he would Alb went on. "He
would never have come here if he had
not experienced that change of heart"
There was an awkward silence, dur.
ing which the miners shulaed about I'M
easily. Mart Thompson was the calmest
man IN tho room. Finally some one
haltingly said;
We'll, if Alb is right, believe would
favor letting Thompson go--on account
of the mother rad child, you under
stand. 1t would about break their
hearts if we-you know what | mean"
"Ycs, wo understand" replied Alb.
"lf robbery was the only charge against
the man. he continued, Il think We
could afford to let him go free. But
perhaps you didn't all hear about it.
Jim Main was shot and killed by the
bandits last night as he was coming up
from the post, aud from what [ have
been able to gather it seems that Thomp.
son is the man who shot him."
us that fact2" Jack asked.
at is. A man who WAS with Jim and
who escaped unhurt came in this morn
ing before daylight and told me-"
Then Mart Thompson is murderer
somebody exclaimed.
Mart raised his head, fixed his eyes on
the speaker aud moved his lips as if in
the act Of saying something. But he
did not utter u word.
What have you TO say as to the
charge, Thompson Alb asked.
Nothing Thompson answered.
"Ihen we are forced to suppose It
true"
Thompson merely bowed his head.
"ln that case, men," continued Alb,
there is no question as u what OUT
duty is. We might, for the sake OF the
lady and the child. spare this mans life.
even though he is II robber. but for tho
sake Of no one aud nothing can wa
spare his lifo when we know him to be
murderer. He must hang
Thompson said nothing, and he did
not move, except to shrug his shoulders
slightly. Once or twice his lips moved
as If framing words, but no sound es.
capped them. There was whispering
among the miners, and then some one |
went out and after awhile returned with
a piece of now rome.
Thompson said Alb, "you under
stand what Our decision is, supposeYo
Yes y Thompson replied.
"Ihen have you anything to say bs.
fore We proceed further"
mo, nothing except TO ask that Won
never let mother and my child know
They shall never know. Ipledge Won
my word of honor for that ~"
Very well. Then that is ALL Then
after short pause he continued. 81
would Ike to SEQ thom once more and
II l could only kiss them would die
happier, but to spare them | must denv
myself that pleasure. Go on with vorr
work. am ready"
lhey prepared to tnke him from tho
room, but as they advanced Ia tbo A.,