Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-01-27
CHAPTER XIV
IN SUSPENSE


at us and whispered. sat down.
hopeless and sullen. In fifteen min
utes events had SO shaped themselves
that hope was somewhat revived-at
least, knew that the expected blow
was averted for the presen;
The Judge came in and heard the
accusation. He was portly, fne-look-
ing man, and ! thought looked with
some compassion at me.
This isa very serious charge. young
man. Where are you from?"
New Hampshire, SIR"
us it possible that so young per-
son as you has come down here in this
nefarious business of decoying away
our property"
NO. sir; have not"
THE complainant charges that you
were trying to abduct his slave. What
do you say?"
My recollection of what Coralie's
father and LIE Fevre had said, told me
that was guilty Of just that offense,
no matter what my motives were.
Still, did not wish to confess 1t. My
heart swelled with indignation against
the assertion; could only keep silence.
Where is the slave?" the Judge
asked.
Coralie was pointed out to him. He
looked Mt her with surprise.
That p,rson?" he said Can it be
possible?"
"She was the born slave of the late
Pierce Bostock, of La Fourche inte-
rior," put in the lawyer whom Conrad
had brought with him. MY client in
herited her, with the other slaves and
property. This young fellow has been
caught in an attempt to run her off to
the north. That is. in brief. the whole
case
well, sir, have you nothing to say?"
the judge asked, with some sternness.
There was much that could say
without any admission of the charge.
! said it in brief sentences.
Pierce Bostock was my friend-the
schoolmate of my father before me. I
was visiting in his family for months
before his death. This lady is his
daughter. It is necessary Tor me to
state that we were engaged to be mar
ried, with the approval of her father.
We were on our way to the river for
that purpose. That is my side of the
story"
Coralie nodded, and took one Of my
hands in both of hers.
STUFF and nonsense!" growled Con-
rad.
"A very pretty story" sneered the
lawyer. But your honor knows that
under our law the consent Of the slave
cannot ut all affect the guilt of her
abductor."
THAT is true" observed the Judge;
"and this is a time when a clearly
proved attempt of the nature here
charged must be punished with all
the rigor known to the law. Our
southern institutions must be upheld,
and dangerous fanatics from the north
must be taught to respect them. While
this is true. there seems to be some ex-
traordinary features about this case.
The accused is young and has not the
appearance of common slave stealer.
His statement is q curious one. lie.
ought to have counsel. Is there any
gentleman of the bar here who will
advise with him?"
A rosy. specialized man near the
bench said: Your honor, should de-
cline to appear for the defense in any
common case of this kind, but have
become much interested in these per
sons from what have seen and heard
here. and agree with the court that
there must be something extraordinary
about the matter II nav retire with
the accused for a few minutes ] will
he able to say whether he ought TO be
defended"
The Judge nodded and the lawyer
took me out into side room
Tell me all about it." he said.
kindly
A great deal may be said in ten min.
utes In that time had given him the
main facts that had led to my present
situation.
lie took of his spectacles and rubbed
the glasses nervously with his hand
kerchief.
This is quite ont of common" he