Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-11-29

pub ne saw only the race OF MS sister,
who, lying Ill in the little cottage, he
knew was waiting with feverish eager
ness for the result Of the trial.
I'D like to say lot, colonel, your
honor" stammered Jim, 'but amt
no good at talking. i was there right
enough on your land and the rabbits
was yours. But, colonel, p'r'aps you've
never been starving and seen food run
ming about wild, and yet you mustn't
touch it. Twasn't for myself stole
1t. I'm man, and short commons for
hit don't brighten me; but"-and here
his voice faltered-"1've got sister
at home, and dry bread and n little of
1t don't lengthen the lives of folks as is
ILL.,"
Hunger does not justify theft" re-
torted Col. Traite, harshly. "And what
about the brutal attack on my keepers?
! shall pass upon all Of you the severest
sentence it is in my power to inflict."
Col. Traite looked round at the other
magistrates, and no one ventured to
oppose him; but, as the men were being
led away, Jim Hawel stepped back and
in desperation played his last card
Colonel" said he, "may I say
another word?
your honor, my sister is very i'll.
When she hears of this the shock may
kill her. You yourself have daughter
about her age. Think"
take him away" said the colonel,
coldly.
Then, as they hustled from the court,
Jim Hawel, his face white and set,
turned his head again, and through the
hall the fierce words rang out:
I'm going, Col. Traite; but so sure
as l live to get my liberty again, I'll be
even with you'll"
And for that speech he got an extra
week.
Jim Hawel lived to regain his liberty,
and, when again he was free, dark
hatred ranked in his heart.
Sister Bess had bad time of it; but
buoyed up by the hope of seeing Jim
again she struggled bravely with her
illness, and, though she had to give
up the cottage, managed to live on
somehow through the charity of her
lowly neighbors till the happy day
came when Jim was "out."
The pits were working again, and jim
easily found work, and to Bess the
trouble seemed to be over. The doctor
too, said that with plenty of nourish
ment she might possibly in time gel
quite well egain.
Had she known the desperate scheme
that had been Matched in the brains
of her brother and his three compan
ions, her recovery would have been ever
slower. For, brooding over theil
wrongs, these four men, their hatred
OF Col. Traite burning in their hearts
had vowed upon revenge. And the mar
who had been shot had suggested &
means of which all approved. Hops
ley Grange was to be set on fire.
"The house is an old one," said he
gleefully. "0nce fairly started moth
ing can stop the flames. I've done ode
jobs about the place, and there is
stable chock full of hay and straw
close to the new wing that will, wheI
the wind blows from the west, burn tn,
house to the ground with the striking
Of single match"
For week or so the conspirator
made no move, but when they could d,
SO with safety one or another of then
was continually spying around tn
Grange, observing the surroundings O
the house, so that in the darkness N,
mistake might be made. Then on
evening, as the crowd of men cam
trudging home from the pit, four o
them exchanged meaning glances, TO
strong wind was blowing and tn
weathercock on the roof of the town hal
showed that it came from the west. A
nine o'clock, under tree in lionel
lane, the same four met, and a surpris
was in store for three of them.
Mates" said Jim Hawel, hoarsely
you know I'm no coward. The whit
feather amt much in my line, but, l tel
you, can't do this job"
"What?' they gasped, in chorus.
II can't do it," repeated Jim. "Pl
\ tell you why. You know my siste
Bess? I've got but her in the world t
care for, and if come to grief it,
finish her. The poaching business she
only just managing to get over, and
tell you, for her sake, can't risk thi
Alone I'd fire the colonel's place an
tell him as it was me did it, but with he
alive it amt no good. B'lieve me G
b'lieve me not, the hate of Col. Trait
! sticks as deep in me as ever it did, and, q
1 swore, I'll be even with him yet, bu
just now my hand amt free and mus
! wait"
The three men, muttering to then
selves, stared at him. The man VIII
had been shot shook angrily pint ii
of paraffin that he carried and rattle
box of matches.
"a nice bit o. backing out this i
Jim Hawel," growled he.
"P'h'aps it is" said Jim. "But m
minds made up. If anything lin
this happens I'll be the first to sufft
after having threatened him, and
Z don't want no revenge that falls har
, on Bess. And there's another thing
, he continued, bravely. 'The colonel
, daughter is there. Her bedroom
, right on top of the building. P'h'al
she'll be killed in the fire. Won't yo
: give up the whole business and wa
. till we can go for the colonel alon
! with no chance of damaging other pc
$ ple?"
: The man who had been injured turnt
0 on his heel.
an | aCnv,o alops rnofoc cotd ba Ufo II,