The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-04-17
TWO DOGS And A JURY.

when members of his acquaintance, nota-
bly, the sheriff's officers, sought his society
with an ardor difficult to withstand. The
present was one of these occasions; and,
although Marguerite had shown some coy
ness about accepting the urgent invitation
extended to him, and moreover given the
state officials some healthy exercise before
allowing them to deliver 1t personally, yet
he had eventually given away to force OF
Fortunately for themselves the represen-
tatives of law and order in Jacubaya knew
within 100 miles or SO the localities where
Marguerite was likely to be found. His
natural modesty would, they were aware,
where his return had long been awited
with anxiety by certain compatriots There
fore the chase had been short.
STILL while it lasted, like most of the
proceedings in which Marguerite was ac-
lively concerned, it had proved full of in
terest to the persons sharing in 1t. But
now the object of all these attentions had
recognized the uselessness of further re-
sstance, and, feeling that he had done his
best, was prepared to rest upon his laurels
Wherein his friend, Don Carlos, agreed
with him.
portion of the population, made their way
toward the court house, building which
but unf1atteringly illustrated the quality
Of the law dispensed within. AS a matter
of fact, before it became a hall of justice
it had been loft, and access was still
gained to it by means of a ladder. Mar
guerito, followed by the judge, the jury
and the crowd, mounted with impressive
slowness, and he was shortly occupying a
prominent position in the court.
Don Carlos, who suffered from a consti-
tutional objection to climbing, had elected
to remain in the yard below. Knowing
from past experience that the trial was
likely to be lengthy process, he gravely
seated himself upon the ground and pre-
pared to await events. 1t should be ex-
planned that Don Carlos was not handsome.
Neither was he good. Still, he possessed
merits which might not have been patent
to the casual observer. In complexion he
was black and TAM. being rather like a
dachhund in the face, while he strongly
resembled a greyhound in the figure. His
tail, however, 1t was impossible to classify,
for it belonged to no species or epoch.
Owing to his having been dropped by his
nurse when baby, 1t had break near the
tip, which caused it to curl over his back
in a coQuettish manner far from exempn-
flying the real so1idity of his character;
while fits length would have done credit
to a cat. =.
Don Carlos himself seemed to be aware
that it was not the latest fashion in tails
and he habitually underwent many things
in vain endeavor to sit upon the whole
of it at once He was thus engaged upon
the present occasion, when, glancing up
he CHANGED to catch sight of a big bull
mastif which was strolling slowly into
the yard, apparently in search of stray re-
freshments
Don Carlos picked up his ears and
blnked his eyes, into which the light of
battle gradually crept, the intruder, un.
conscious of danger, drew nearer every
moment.
In the meantime the sonorous tones of
the judge, mingled with the drawl of wit
ola r1x 10
dow of the loft above. 1t appeared that
Marguerite was accused of horse stealing
this time, and as he listened to the de-
tails of his error, described by the suf-
ferers from it, he felt by means GER
tain but that this might be the last of
his many adventures
Judge Hopper's got hanging look
about him this morning. he meditated,
with an Unconditional face. eff l get off
this time 1 will go home to Conchita, and
they shall find me more"
The last witness for the prosecution
finished his tale of woe, and feeble effort
was made at defense, while Marguerite
wondered idly if he really were as great a
ruffian as the evidence seemed to imply
Silence, broken only by the buzzng Of
flies, fell upon the close room, as the judge
settled himself in his wooden chair and
prepared to sum up. The culprit, who was
looking through the window at his side,
appeared to be the only uninterested person
present. deputy standing near about
to recall his attention to the proceedings,
when, following for an instant the direc-
ton of the prisoners gaze, he, too, be-
came absorbed.
The sheriff himself then glanced at the
window, through which short banks were
beginning to make themselves heard and
after one look he rushed to the door and
commenced hurriedly descending the lad
der. The audience gazed at each other in
amazement for an instant, before, with
simultaneous movement, they took hur-
ried survey of the yard. Having looked,
they wasted no more time, but with an
expression of rapture stealing over their
faces they made for the ladder, accom-
panied by the prisoner and guard.
The judge, being left alone in the empty
loft frowned severely at the vacant bench
es as he said with impressive dignity, II
guess this court will now adjourn Then
he tucked up his sleeves and made good
time for the yard. A vigorous struggle for
the best view took place between Mar
guerito and himself without either man
being in the least aware of the identity of
the person by whom he was jostled Nor
would it have made any difference if he
had known, because not even for a free
pardon would the accused have consented
to forego the enthralling sight on which he
was feasting his eyes.
Affairs were just at their most exciting
| stage. The bull mastiff, it appeared had
| uTdWH quite ClOSe " OOH OdIiO DeIOIe per
| ceving it's presence. He had then, instead
| of apologizing for the intrusion critically
examined Don Carlos tail, afterward Civ
| ing vent to an insulting bark. This brought
| matters to climax, and in less time than
| it takes to tell the two dogs were mex
| tricably mixed up that but for the APP.
| pendage in question, waving over the scene
| like flag of battle, it would have been i'm
| possible to distinguish one combatant from
the other.
There was no necessity for the haste dis
| played by the spectators in reaching the
| seat of war, for the fray promised to be as
| long as it was sanguinary. No quarter was
| asked or desired. The stranger possessed e
vast amount of staying power, inasmuct
| as when he once took hold little short of ex
| tracing his teeth made him let go again
| But the military tactics Of his opponen
| were new to him, and prevented his getting
| an opportunity to show what he really
| could do.
| Don Carlos dashed underneath him an(
| sent him sprawling into the mud; he jumped
| over his back and gave him a perfunctory
| bite in passing, and he harried his from
and rear guards both at the same time
until the bull mastiff felt that, for all thu
good he was able to effect, he might as wei
be toy terrier. The ironical cheers of tn,
crowd melted him to fresh endeavor ant
| the mastery.
At length, however, he saw a chance.
| Making a sudden dash while Don Carlo
was in the act of executing one of his won
derful leaps. the bulldog met him in mid