The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-04
WITH GOD FOE WITNESS.
Ard He Was Not Charged with the
Commission OF Crime.

Ard He Was Not Charged with the
Commission OF Crime.
Hrs Louise H. TFaH, in HGrper's IVeekr.
Frick Dent lay on his bunk aud listened
TO the bowling Of the wolves in the timber
nad the mere oppressive breathing Of his
partner. He had been awake for hours,
and not being a thinking man he had abso-
lutely nothing to do. The 6r-tree over the
shack dripped slow moisture on the roof,
and through the warped glass Of the vim
dow one star was blurred and half smeared
out. The heavy cotton comfortable lay
unyielding, like a mattress, upon him, and
he grew cold. lie got Up, crept
across the gritty door, slid on his
boots and went to the door. Out-
side, the dripping forest of gigantic ever
greens pressed against the Oue-roomed
shack; two freshly felled trees supported
themselves half up, like man on his elbow !;
a faint trail from the door lost itself in the
darkness Of the underground. Frick picked
up the double-bitted ak by the door. aud
v ent out for firewoOd. AS he moved in the
undsrbrush he heard slight sound behind
him, and stopped 10 listen. There was Il
blaze. a zip and he fell forward. He felt
himself being dragged over uneven ground.
He opened his eyes when he heard a snap
ping aud cracking near him; he was lying
on comfortable beside the stove. which
burned freshly. Tom was pulling Off his
boots, and sobbing and moaning over him.
like man in nightmare. He got breath
to gay:
Tom
'Frick, boy. l didn't go to. was asleep.
heard somethin'; was dreamin' of bars.
Lord Lord He don't hear
The little fiimsy stove was rsd-hot. and
the blood soaked into the comfortable from
the mans side. Tom tore strips from the
mattress on the bunk and tried to tie them
around the great hairy chest. Frick
moaned.
Tom" he said, "were friends, amt
weF' His hand groped fesbiy.
Tom laid his unshaved cheek on tricks
side. above the jagged hole.
Were friendsp he asked again.
Eyes. yes, Frick. I'd a sight ruthar done
it to myself he sat on the floor holding
the chill hand and pressing the coa-ss cloth
against the pumping wound. The fierce
fire died out from the stove, the iron creak-
ing as it cooled.
Prick lay with his eyes staring open.
They'll say you killed ma apurpose." he
breathed. You'd ought 10 get a witness,
Tom
~ amt kerin' what they say. 1 amt
goin' to leave you here dyin' while I'm of
Iookin' up witnesses"
After a long pause Frick said: "You tell
'em | was loadin' ketriges when you went
out, and when you KEN back I was like
this"
Tom shook his head. 81 amt KERN what
they say"
"l4imme pencil, Tom; don't be foolr
Tom lit IA tallow candle stuck in the neck
of a bottle, and lifted Prick against his
knee, while he held a piecs Of paper against
the sole Of one Of the boots no had dragged
Off. Tho stiff greenish hand closed over the
pencil. and Frick traced the word Friends"
but the point Was gone and the pencil left
no mark. Then he drew q hard quick
breath, and slid out Of Toms arms. Tom
laid HIM down and drew him
out straight, and gathering up the
blood stained rags, threw them into
the cold stove and sat waiting for morn
ing. When the light came be took the dead
man over his back, and shutting the door Of
the shack started down the trail from the
claim toward the river. The trail was very
slight; the partners had only been holding
down the claim for few weeks, and it was
all that Tom could do to keep his feet with
the swinging, sagging weight on his back.
He reached the river, mere wind
ing stream, and laying Frick in
| the stern of his boat, and covering
him with coat, he took - the oars
1t was early morning, and sheet of
white mist steamed up from the water, and
was TORN ana nuDR IN great SnrSuS among
| the far branches OF the evergreens. Through
the white stiffness they passed slowly down
! the winding stream. 1t was long journey
| for the rover. with the silence of the woods
| about him and the silence of the dead be-
side him; but as evening cams, ne saw the
| light of the town below; it was the clear
electric star above the first sew-milL
When he brought up at the wharf, few
| idlers were standing about.
what have you got thereN asked one,
| out OF tho fulness Of his laziness.
Tom lifted his eyes from the expression
less heap in the boat and said: Tell your
| coroner to come down here"
They put him into the little strong house
with bars across the windows, and ques-
toned him. Then the local press sent
| Representatives. editor and proprie-
! tor-to interview him; and the little inno-
cent children came and looked in at him,
standing upon boxes for the purpose. He
made one clear statement at the inquest
after that he would not talk. Three days
later they came TO him with the news. He
got up slowly.
"You don't understand" said the doctor
you're a free man"
YES, | understand well enough" he an
| swered, turning down toward the river.
What are you going to DOR asked the
| doctor, suspiciously.
"pm goin' up to the claim, " he said.
The doctor watched him get into his boat
and pull slowly up the river, and still stood
watching until man and boat were lost in
the solemn pines.