Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-10-04
JOHN HENRY's TRIAL.
And tn Sensational Finale-A Chance
for His Life W


away my religunr
Finally young Bloodgood, OF the gen.
eral store, undertook John Henry's re-
formation. He decided upon plan of
action that was highly original and let
4 number Of young fellows, scions of
the Bushrods, Washingtons and Cut
ters, into the secret Life was not
overly exciting in the country, so that
all entered heartily into what seemed
10 give promise OF good joke
Young Emslie, who had just come
down from Baltimore to visit the
Bushrods, was unknown to John
Henry, so that the delicate commits
sion of Turing him on was intrusted to
him. John Henry proved innocent and
unsuspecting, and his confidence was
secured by means OF gift of bad
smoking tobacco and a pint of worse
whisky. Then Emslie said mysterious
ly:
Look here. uncle, has any one died
recently in these partsy
mo, Mars Emslie," said John Henry
with start. None but ole Ephum,
who was buried ovah a month ago"
The very thing said Emslie. Can
l trust you with secret, John Henryw
Deed ain you kin, sab
We'll, 1t isn't known here. but I'm
a medical student in Baltimore. What
came down here for is a cadaver.
You know what that Is, don't your
Its bird, amt it?" said John
Henry, thoughtfully. 'Tain't buzz
zard, / reckon"
mo, no." said Emslie, sinking his
voice almost to whisper Its a
dead body. What | want is old Eph-
rain. and I'll give you $50 if you'll
help me get him
IAN if we cit caughty said John
Henry, obviously,
"Oh Well be hanged, of course"
said Emslie, cheerfullE. Are you will
/ ling to take chances for S20T
John Henry said he thought he was
Very well, them said Emslie
Meet me at Il o'clock tonight at the
colored graveyard and bring spade
with YOU
John Henry promised to do so, and
EmSlie returned to Bloodgood and the
rest to report.
THE black rascal" said Bloodgood
in disgust. Didn't l tell you he'd rob
the deadT
The night was without Il moon, and
everything favored the ubiquitous pro-
ceeding. At II O'clock EmsEe met John
Henry at the designated place, which
waLs not a cheerful one, to say the
least, for an appointment.
We'll, you're here, / see" he said
Have you brought spade with you?
Now show me old Ephraims graveY'
John Henry led the way through a
tangle of blackberry vines and creep
ers. His knees were beginning to
knock under him.
Now dig" commanded EmsIie
when the other paused before a freshly
made mound. Lets get through WITH
this business as soon as we can" u
John Henry took off his coat pre-
paratory to beginning his CHASTITY
work. Before he put his spade into
the ground he looked around for an
other reassuring glance at his COM
panion. But Emslie had mysteriously
disappeared.
Almost at the same time a number
of dark forms rose up as mysteriously
on ali sides around him. John Henry
was so frightened that he fell down on
his knees. He thought they were the
ami af ,,ln
geance, until he heard stern voice,
which he recognized as Col Washing
tons, say:
80 We've caught you red-handed,
you scoundrel! Light lantern, some
of you, and We'll see who it is"
In the glare Of the match John Henry
noticed that every one wore black
half mask and carried shotgun. He
endeayored TO collect his frightened
wits.
Deed l amt did muffin wrong"
he expostulated. "Fo' Gawd l amt,
gemmen"'
Then what are you doing here at
this hour?"
Il JUS come to weep ovah ole
Ephum's gravel
Yes, and brought a spade with
YOU" said Col. Washington. "Why,
as | live, it's the very spade you bor-
rowed from me over a month ago"
"Yasslr," said John Henry, lamely.
Il wuz on my way ter returnshit ter
yer
What shall we do with himy' asked
Col. Washington turning to his CON-
panions. Hang him TO the nearest
treeI'
"Oh, hanging's too good for him."
said another. Lets cut him to pieces,
a little bit at a time"
No" interposed 2 third; The ought
to have fair trial. Let's take him to
Justice Taintor's and give him fair
trial.
That's So" came the gruff chorus.
He ought TO have a fair trial Wen
take him to Justice Taintor's."
Justice TaiDtor was already pre-
pared for their coming. Nevertheless,
he pretended to be awakened from