The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-03-12

box in his store.
AntOnlOs lawyer, a sharp eyed, sharp
featured fellow from Galveston, had
hustled about with surprising agility ON
the day previous, holding mysterious
conferences with III conditioned fellows
of Gueldo's kidney.
The court was assembled, the jury had
been chosen. and the witnesses We're all
present save o1e-BlaI:e's widow.
Pretty soon there was a stir at the
door. thea Il murmur Of surprise ran
through the crowded room.
May | he id" said Jake Smith, au-
dibly. IF she hasn't brought her bob"
What reason she maj have had for
not leav ny the little thing in charge of
solne sympathizing woman-and there
were plenty who would have been glad
OF the trust-was not apparent: how
ever that might lie. there it was. clasped
FIRMLY in her arms. its bright red cheeks
contrasting with her whiteness. and its
fathers sunny hair mingling with her
dark locks.
With some difficulty way was made
through the throng to her seat. which
had been placed on one side of the
judge, directly opposite the candle box.
on the other. where Antonio sat. She
took her place and never moved during
the whole of the trial. excepting as she
was required to testify. and once when
the baby tugged 1t some clustering thing
that lay hidden IN the folds of her dress.
at which she took pains to distract its
attention with a chip from the floor. AS
for the baby. it sat there with its bic
blue eyes open to their fullest extent.
entirely absorbed in the novel scene,
save ct the moment when that irresisti-
BILE glitter caught its eye.
Every one being now present, the trial
went on IN good earnest. A number of
witnesses We're examined. whose testi-
mony showed that Gueldo had had trou-
Bile with Blake, and more than once
threatened his life; that Gueldo's pistol
was one charge empty on the evening of
the day of the murder. whereas in the
morning it had been full; that he was
seen that morning around Blake's house.
and more than that. Blake's widow had
heard Gueldo's voice just before the
fatal shot. and had seen him retreatine
as she ran out.
At this last point the Galveston law
yer asked the witness a few questions re-
Garding how she knew it was Gueldo's.
and how she had recognized the voice
for his. She didn't know how exactly.
but was none the less sure for that.
fIbn-a bal 1Aar Z
Il had heard Antonio make q
boast OF having done for Blake this
time, but if there were a witness fol
this he could not be found now.
And so the prosecution closed.
The Galveston lawyer began by in
volving in a whirlpool OF helpless CON
tradlctlon the witness who had sworn to
seen Gueldo near Blake's house.
Then he expatiated on the ease with
L person may be mistaken for
another. and brought a witness to show
Gueldo had already been said to re-
semble some one in the village. Finally
produced three of the i'll conditioned
before referred to. who swore
that Antonio was with them on a hunt
expedition during the whole of the
day OF which the murder was com
1t was a clear case of alibi. Jack
Smiths establishment at the ease with
the thing had been accomplished
unbOunded. He threw a Disguised
toward Pitblado, bat the Judge was
nonplussed and didn't seem to be inter
with things in Jake's vicinity.
"Gentlemen of the jury" said he,
t b verdict took a turn | didn't alto
e1pec'. | don't know as there's
much to be said. ls'pose you've got to
BY the evidence, an that don't need
my e1plainin. Eff you kin make out.
ter that, that Antonio Gueldo
killed jem Blake. why. jest recollect
hats what Yer here fur"
Jake Smith figdeted about on his box
cast anxious glances through the
open door toward the clunp of nopals
where the jury was celebrating.
Antonio talked and laughed in an I'M
iertone with his counsel, and Blake's
widow sat staring at them with com
PRESSED lips and a strong expression of
determination coming into her face.
1t wasn't long before the jury filed in
gain, all seating themselves but the
pokesman, and Judge Pitblado rose.
yiping his forehead with his shirt
.leeves.
Strengthened it out, have ye::" asked
lie. nodding to the spokesman.
The man nodded in return.
Yer see." said the spokesman. with
hesitating and disappointed air, s.ef
'er hadn't a-corralled us with sticking
the evidence we might a. done bet