Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-09-12
HIS CHANGE OF HEART.

hlC Nll "A OL VI A1h1l1'
The cats, the dogs. the cattle, and
the chickens instinctively Stunned
Farmer Jacob Ladd. He was harsh
with his hardworking wife, had beer
unkinI to his only son, and a bitter,
unredsoning hatred ranked in hi:
heart against men.
His wife, a gentle and timid woman,
was beloved by people who feared and
hated he: husband. She was busily al
work mending a quilt. Another
woman was in the room-a neighbol
who. for the sake of seeing Mrs. Ladd
had braved the chance of encounter
ing Jacob. Mrs. Ladd paused in hel
work and said with sigh,-
did you see the pore critter, Mis-
Lindsay? They passed right along by
cur gate. l tried to keep from look
ia at i'm, case 1 couldn't bear to see
his suferin'. The idea o. Poke Baker
IL he is 4 sheriff, driyin' pore boy
long the g road, jest as if he was a
yearliu' calf, fore he's been proven
guilty o the murder. It's a shame. u
Yes" the other admitted, 'they
ought to treat him human, but
reckon the's no doubt under the sun at
he killed Squire BroadenaX. He laid
all night close by the BrOadnaXes', an
when they cOtch i'm in Spring Place
he had two hundred and fifty dollars
in is pocket. | reckon he did the
KILN: fer how could por tramp like
i'm, 'thout Il whole rag to is back.
have so much money!"
Mrs. Ladd sighed again, and her
motherly face grew more serious. She
let the quilt glide to the floor.
1T looks mighty bad," she said.
They'll likely find him guilty an
lang i'm for it, pore boy. He passed
as nigh to me as the bed post. an it
made me think O my Tobe. Who
knows whar on earth my boy is to-
day? l hain't hardly been able to
close my eyes for the last month, for
thinkin' about i'm. I'm afeerd he's
dead; Texas is mighty unhealthy.
81 hain't had letter from him in
more than two MONTHS" she went on,
presently. '1t's been two years sense
he let his fathers hoss drown, and
Jacob driv' i'm off"
She told again the sad story, famil-
lar to her guest, how lobe had driven
the horse into the river, ignorant
that the water had risen; how the
animal had become entangled in the
harness, and had drowned in spite OF
the boys efforts to save him, and how
his father had driven him away and
forbidden him to return until he
could bring back the money that the
horse had cost.
Il believe he's dead" Mrs. Ladd
sighed
She wiped her eyes on her needle,
punctured fingers, and went slowly
over to wooden box in a corner.
Raising the lid she lifted out a blacl;
coat and waiStcOat , pair Of trouS.
ers Of light color, and pair of calf.
skin boots, with high heels and red
tops.
His Sunday Clothes" she ex.
planned huskily. "Tobe was mighty
proud of 'em, but he wouldn't take
'em with him. He said he wanted to
rough it-that he didn't want to put
he got back. But he lowed if he
never did get back, for me togive 'em
to some feller that needed 'em."
Jacob Ladd still sat in the door.
way. The dusk was falling over the
huShed earth, when a man under q
slouCh hat rode up.
Hello, Jake" he called out, paus
ing at the gate.
Ladd rose quickly and went tC
him.
I've seed 'em ALL" said the man,
in whisper. "We'll meet at the cor
ner tonight at 'leven."
"All right" said Ladd, "I'll bt
thar. Well save the county the eX
pense of long trial. It'll be thai
much in the pockets Of the taX-pay
ers.'
1t was late in the night at the
crossroads store. Peter Morgan, the
store-keeper. had closed and locked
the door, and stood leaning against
it. Some twenty rough men were
sitting and standing about in whis
pering groups. The last two to ar
rive were Jacob Ladd and a buril
black man.
you fetched Ike, I see," remarked
Morgan, as he cautiously admitted
them.
"Of course!" grunted Ladd. "Wht
else kin climb tree like him: 1oi
kEow he's afeared to give us away, an
he is fond O. sech amusements."
1ne negro smiled grimly.
well, VIC are all here, I believe "
said Morgan, land as fur as I'm able
IN 500 ve'rp all Of one mind But tC
make shore, Tll put it to a vote.
All in favor hold up the right hand. u
Every hand in the room was raised.
The storekccper handed out coil OF
new rope.
Ladd took lantern, and led the
silent band from the store and down
the little shaded forest road to the
village, where the jail stood. Ladd
raped upon the Jail door with the
head of his walking-soick, and his fel
lows moved up close behind.
"Hullo. Who's thar?" sounded in
gruff tones from the room occupied
by the jailer and his wife.
''Git up an see, Nelse Murray" an
;wercd Ladd.
The men pressed nearer together.
Some of them drew their revolvers
and pulled their hats down over theil
eyes. Ladd's face was entirely hid
len. A chain ratified on the door
and pale bearded face appeared in
slight opening.
What is it you want?" asked th
Iailer in an unsteady voice.
"JeSt yOre prisoner, Murray, that