The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12

between his outstretched arms his fore
ae sss resting against pair of iron hand
culis on his wrists. He was evidently
crying, as his whole body was shaken
py choking sobs which were pitiful to
hear PN' ~
HAD is trial. yer see,'' said the cow
Doy. goin' ter be hanged at o'clock:
teeiin' awful tough
IN the mrrky, smoky atmosphere of
the room We were not able to recognize
any acquaintance in what we could yet
see OF the poor fellow. AID bent over
ana shook him gently by the shoulder.
LOOK up" he said, and perhaps RASH
ly, there's friends here"
n convulsed, tear-stained face was
turned quickly toward US.
shouted.
The Door fellow raised himself to a
sitting posture, and then burying his
race In his manacled hands, burst into
storm or heart-breaking sobs.
We sat down on either side of him,
and each threw an arm about him, with
the single thought in our minds that the
boy was utterly innocent Of the crime
OF stealing horse or anything else.
we had known him well at the rail-
way camp, where he had been stable
boy" and generally useful in looking
after odds and ends. He had been clever
and good natured on all occasions. He
had some laryngeal trouble which pre-
vented him speaking except in hoarse
whisper, and this, combined with his
qualities, gained for him our sympathy
and interest. When he had managed to
quiet his sObbing so that he could use
the little voice he had he told his story.
The card players and the rough crowd
in the Justices room glanced our way &C.
casionally with cold and curious looks.
To begin at the beginning: Early in
the summer there had been a fellow
working in Shields camp by the name
of Waters. He had taken q strange dis
like to Gallinger and had delighted in
tormenting the boy and mimicking his
popularity of speech. He had carried
his prosecutions in this line so far that
Gallinger, who was naturally quick
tempered, got angry one day and gave
him a good drubbing. This the fellow de-
served, and the whole camp had been
tickled at Gallingers performance.
Waters, who had been a cowboy and
rustler at one ranch and another for
number of years, was not popular in
camp. but was shrewd enough, after hav-
ing been thoroughly licked, to take it
good naturally, or at least to seem TO do
so. In fact, he changed his tactics en-
tirely and succeeded in making friends
with Gallinger, and on the whole gained
more of consideration in the camp than
he could have done in any other way.
This part of the story of the connection
of these two we had already known.
The sequel was what we succeeded in
getting from Gallinger in his present
wretched condition.
1t seems that when Shield broke camp
and went back to Nebraska, Waters had
gained such firm hold upon Gallinger
as to induce him to remain in the coun-
try and try cowboy life. While in camp
with Shield, Waters had owned pony,
or at least he claimed to own one, which
he kept tethered with the stock belong
ing to the outfit. The pony had gone
lame, so Waters said. and short time
before Shield broke camp he had turned
it loose upon the prairie. He told Gal
linger at the time that he did not know
whether the pony would ever get well
or not; that If 1t stayed among the hills
and got lost he wouldn't be out much
anyway. The pony, in fact, did stray off.
and was lost sight of for weeks. Gal
linger secured a place as rider with the
Circle V ranch, and, meeting Waters
some time afterward, asked him If he
had ever found the pony. Waters said
mo" He never had hunted for 1t and
wasn't going to hunt for it; and if Gal
linger should find it while he was riding
keep it for his own. One pony more or
less didn't amount to anything anyway.
Poor supplemented Gallinger. born
and reared in a farming community.
where men were taken at their word,
fell into the trap set for him.
He found the pony some days after
this, Caught it up" and rode it into
Carson. Waters was in town and imme-
diately Swore out warrant and pro-
cured Gallinger'S arrest. A couple of
tough" associates had assisted the fell
low in swearing to his property, and as
nobody in town knew the poor boy. mat
tiers had gone sadly against him. To
make the case worse number OF
''punchers" were in from a ranch whiC.-
had lost a large bunch of stock-run
off by ''rustlers' the week before.
These men were more than commonly
incensed against all thieves, and two OF
them had been selected to sit with the
six jurymen, who had brought in
prompt verdict of guilty"
What shall We do, Ad-SOmething,
surely?" 1 asked anxiously after we had
listened to Gallinger'S recital. For reply
AID rose to his feet, looked about the
room, then drew himself to his full
height, assuming an attitude We had
learned to know and respect in society
rooms at college.
Gentlemen" said he in his deep,
strong voice. Every eye was turned
wonderingly in one direction-the- card
PLAYERS sat mouonless, with "hands"
cautiously turned down. Gentlemen,
you have committed a grave mistake in
the trial and conviction of this poor boy
sitting here 1 am glad my friend and
l came in time to save him from a fatal
error, which would undoubtedly have
cost an innocent life. Now, here are
two reliable witnesses who have been
acquainted with this boy and his family
for years and can testify TO his inno-
cence. We demand a new trial in his
behalf
This was said in the firm and COM
manding tone of one who expects that
his words will have weight. But the
bold speech only succeeded in arousing
the rough crowd to perilous opposition.
The men bent darkening looks upon us.
Broadly arose to his feet, threw his cards
upon the table, drew a heavy six
shooter from his belt and laid it upon
the cards.
"IooSee hyer. young feller." he roared,
you two tenderfoots can't come into no
Carson court o justice en- lay down the
law ter nobody. Yell best instinkly I'M
derstand that pint right hyer. En- the
sooner We git out O. this en- hit tn high
places the most likely We air ter git back
safe ter yer par an mar. See? Hope
nv meanin' air tolerable plain ter ye."
DE Land had also risen and stood with
a hand threateningly upon the holster
at his hip.
Broady's speech, too. brought rough
and emphatic expression of approval
from the crowd about the table and the
doorway.
mr. coxrI.ox uho had come in with rrs