Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-06
worked picks Well, just guess they'd

worked pick' Well, just guess they'd
better notv'
But they willp' cried the excited girl.
"There's papa. He will explain"
1t took good deal of explaining, but at
last the old miner understood it all per-
fectly.
1--WE s. 600 now" he said. Reckon it'll
help me bit. FL find the real murderer,
or I'll know the reason why. How long
did you say hads"
Three weeks, but in case you don't dis
cover the real criminal go to the governor"
A week later a rough looking, peculiar
individual forced his way into the gov
ernor's study.
II must see him." he said to the servant
'It's matter of life and DEATH
The governor looked up, annoyed. He
received number Of visitors that were
bores, many being office seekers, and he
was tired.
'If you please, your honor, you are a-2oin
to hang an innocent boy"
Il am not going to hang any one" CURLY
mo, but yer jist a-goin ter let some one
do it fur you. I've got somethin particular
to tell you, an you've got to hear" dog
gediy.
Z.
II don't think you will. All I want is
your attention few minutes. 1 come from
| the mines, an l come to save an innocent
boy"
They are all innocent according to their
own tales"
wait" said Pete. Back thar 'mong
the shadows of the Sierra Nevada a man
| came to our little camp hungry an poor
hut
vided up, an when he died an left bright
lad we took him in as full partner, me an
Jim. Maybe you think it wasn't fair
show fur us, but it was, fur the boy could
read like parson an talk like book-his
father had been an educated Teller, so we
got along amazin well. Once Jim fell sick
with the fever, an that boy took him
| through, same as he did me when cut
my leg an came neardyin under the shadow
| of the hills. Reckon we did not begrudge
him the partnership, not much. We only
| regretted it when he took his thousand
| dollars an left us, an we felt like we'd
never have stock company agin after
that"
Pete glanced up at the governor and saw
that his face was full of suppressed excite
ment.
You are speaking OFF
"Neddy Niles, the boy to be hung next
friday-the boy that is az innocent of the
| crime as you be, as | be-"
Il understand something of the story. l
have been interested in it, and want the
facts. Now answer my questions"
An hour later detective was closeted
with the governor and Pete.
1t was the night before he was to be hung
| that Edward Niles, wan and hopeless.
| glanced up as the cell door was opened to
find himself in the arms of his old ''pard"
| and foster father.
'Petei" he cried. "Oh, Pete, have you
come at last? But it's too late now"
| Never say die. my boy. You are saved,
| thank God. I've found the real murderer
he's dead now-an I'd never have rested a
minute if I'd known the danger you was
in.n
But who-how''--
| THE murderer? Oh, got on the scent
| at the start l got others interested, then
the governor, an we tracked him down.
| when he shot himself an saved his govern
| ment from the trouble. Same fellow who
swore he saw you shoot. 1t was all set
| up game. But you are free, an now where
do you want to CO. my boy, for you still
own the $1,000 they robbed you of?''
ITO California" said Ned, light of in
tense joy and hope shining in his eyes.
Back where | was happy and safe"
Later on they told him the story of the
girl who had done SO much in his cause. the
little schoolmate and friend of his child
| hood
Three years later he called upon her to
thank her for her confidence and help and
to tell her how he had prospered, with the
hope ever before him of sharing his all with
her if she could care for him.
Pete and Jim refused to attend the wed.
ding, but they each sent large gold mug
get from their new claim, which was pan
| ming out beautifully, as wedding present.
New York Journal