The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-18

there so took him out again, but his
hat stayed in the wagon an l never seen
it till got clear home.
"Then got in the wagon an drove to
Topeka to ask Grandfather Coulter what
to do; he used to- be judge up in Val
ley Falls.
He was gone and hunted around
for policeman to tell him about it, but
[ couldn't find none.
81 left the team hitched down by the
bridge, and after bout an hour got in
an drove hard as could for home think
ing I'd tell them about it,"
"What did they say when you got
homer"
81 didn't go all the way; l stayed all
night at Grand ma Stauffer's."
"Then your resolve to tell somebody
wasn't very strong and didn't last long?"
mo, l was scared"
"What did your father say about the
team?"
s'Nothin'."
"You were not in the habit of bringing
home teams that way: your father must
have been surprised"
''No; but he just s'posed / worked for
it"
81 should think you would have seen
the poor boy in your dreams" sug-
gested. :"
81 did; dreamt about him good deal
fur while, but l don't now" (This
coolly.)
"What of this jew peddler? should
think he would be a valuable witness
for you"
he is'
'Are you anxious for the time of your
trial to Gomez"
"Yes. 1 want to get out O. here"
"Then you feel sure you will be &C
quitted?'
"Yes, it was an accident"
"What will you do if you are con-
victed?"
81 won't break down. I'll feel tur'ble
bad. though. If Pm convicted and
won't plead guilty, I'll git pardoned in
bout two years anyhow. He pardons
'em a good deal" (He evidently meant
the governor)
So said, shut we may have a new
governor by that time"
"Yes, mum, but This one seems pretty
good about pardons"
''Your mother will be here at your
trial?"
Eyes wish she wouldn't come. I
hate fur her to see me in jail"
allow far along did you get at SCHOOL,"
1.-THE last went to school anywhere
we lived here. 1 was studyin' history
and grammar and physiology"
would you like some books to study
here?"
''Have you read a good deal?"
"Yes, NOM"
"What books do you like best?"
81 like Longfellow's PONIES"
(which ones are your favorites?"
SO, just any of 'en."
And, though l persisted, I could not
make him name one.
"What class of books have you read,
chiefy?"
Love stories and novels, an then I've
read Shakespeare a good deal"
"Tndeed; and what do you ike best of
his?'
"The real and the spiritual world"
This was one 1 hadn't heard Of l
named a dozen plays, but he hadn't
heard of them, and l concluded he was
mistaken about Shakespeare.
l said, Tell me something of your
home life; for instance, how did you pass
the evenings at homer"
"Well. after supper we had family
prayers"
My thoughts went swiftly to the floor
of the front room of his home, and I said,
"Always?"
YES, NOM"
I've always been a stickler for early
training, but then prayer isn't always
training.
sit will be very hard to meet your
mother; I'd think you might cry"
81 never cry. That amt no sign I
don't feel bad. One of the papers said
acted like I'd killed a rabbit. But Pm
awful sorry just the same, if don't cry.
1t was an accident"
All this is said in a monotone. No
eagerness, no vehemence, absolutely no
feeling, apparently.
Twice he said in a manner that might
have been proud if his manner ever ex-
pressed anything, 81 never chewed or
smoked or took a drink or played cards
in my life"
Twice he smiled; once when talking
about fall he had skating, and once
when telling of getting whipped for
throwing a firecracker in a playmate's
eye.
His smile is brief and not engaging.
When l asked if he was whipped
often and what for, he said never at
school Not many times at home. Gen
orally for ''cussin'."
Once he scowled or rather looked with
rage cleaning from his eyes. at some
people who in passing through stopped
to look at him. He said, 81 don't like
that"
He was really not we'll. His mouth
looked parched and one side of his neck
and face were swollen, but if he was
suffering he NANTES ted it no more than
he had any other feeling. beyond the
mere saying a time or two, ''my throat
hurts me-" in the same tone in which he
said sit was An accident"
He expressed himself as pleased with
the Jail and officers. but said that in
Leavenworth they have separate places
for black and white people. Here they
are both together" He also said, 81
helped cook over there, and wasn't
locked up only at night.
i could a run away if I'd wanted to-"
he said. This seems singular, if true.
1t was in sense an interesting expe-
rience to talk to him aud yet must con-
fess did not enjoy Ii