Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-10-13

The girls icit the better Ior tne cap
tain's brave, strong words, and they
were about TO assure him OF the fact
when two rough men came from the
largest fire and stood before them.
We've come for Captain Brandon"
said one Of the men.
II am here, replied the captain.
"Get up and come along with US, y
said the men, beckoning to the captain
TO rise.
~ cannot walk. See, my feet, like
my hands, are bound" replied the cap
:ain
The man drew his knife and with a
dexterous slash cut the rope that bound
the captains feet, and was in the act OF
seizing him roughly by the arm when
the captain bounded up and said. II
am readyV
"waal, stan in har atween Us. We're
sheriiis, said the man who had 80 far
kept silence.
The captain obeyed, and one Of the
men uttered the word March when
Alice and Nora came before the captain
and with loud sobs threw their arms
about him and kissed his wounded face.
The darkness prevented their seeing
that his one eye was filled with tears
aud that his bronzed cheeks were wet
The captain was conducted to the largest
fire. about which all the outlaws had
ass mblcd, 10 witness il not 10 partici-
pate III this sickcning burlesque on jus
tice. He was placed on the ground III a
position where all could see him, and
| the mon who had been chatting and
swearing at once became silent Bouton
rose to his feet and after some forced
coughing delivered himself as follows:
Boys. Captain Brandon has always
been down on our crowd. and II we were
as bad rs he thinks we are, instead OF
giving him trial, rs we intend doing,
we'd kill him on sight.
He was interrupted by Fairplay, who
| had ~ Joined the party as they were EN-
.ering the canyon, with:
That's So Bouton. You are talkin
sense now. Why. cuss him. he's been a
wuss enemy than all the troops and law
oddiccrs from here 10 Texas And I'm
for finishin the job without any more
palavcrG
Another storm Of applause followed
the rising of Sim Bliss Thin. beardless
and weak looking, Sim Bliss formed a
striking contrast 10 the hardy rufiians
| about him. But the contrast was only
physical. In thought and feeling he was
quite in sympathy with these despera-
| does, and with more strength and cour-
age he might have been leader. But
he soon proved that he had quality
more admirable than any Of them pos
sessed and power that made the strun-
gcst feel like an infant before him Sim
Bliss was fairly educated and well up in
all legal forms and legal tricks, for law
has its tricks as well as vice He was n
ready speaker, and he used words that
were beyond the comprehension Of his
rude auditors. which was a strong point
in his favor.
After recounting Captain Brandon's
crimes Sim Bliss proposed that Bouton
should act as presiding officer Of the
court and that all the men present should
consider themselves jurors in the case
he was about to call up. In all this
there was not even the semblance OF
legal method, but as he was the only
man present aware of the incongruity
the forms were accepted with due so
lemnity.
The fact that some Of the jurors were
called as witnesses struck no one rs b.
ing at all out Of order-indecd, nothing
that Sim Bliss could have done or sug-
| gested would have been thought irregu-
lar lie was "A lawyer, and they reasoned,
as other men do about doctors. that he
should know everything pertaining TO
his own calling
Sim Bliss had been duly posted by
Bouton as TO the captains ofienses
agains, the gang, and as there were
witnesses ready To prove anything that
might be charged. there was no trouble
in sustaining all that was asserted.
Before asking you. gentlemen and
friends. 4" said Sim Bliss, after conclud-
ing the farce Of taking testimony,
whether the prisoner at the bar Is
guilty or not guilty. l think IL would
be only right To ask the prisoner at the
bar if he has anything TO say III his
own defense. Sim turned 10 the cap
tain and nodded to show that he was al
liberty to speak if he so desired.
II have nothing 10 say" replied the
captain. Il have no favor 10 ask. "
That being the case" interposed
Bouton, with smile Of malignant tri-
umph on his olive face, I'm ask the
boys if they think Brandon guilty or
not guilty.
He rose and looked at the men. ana
the men with one accord sprang TO their
feet and shouted:
He is guilty."
What shall we do with him?" asked
Bouton.
Hang him. was the response.
Don't YOU think we had better shoot
him." suggested Bouton. "That'll give
every fellow chance to get in little
work.
Eyes. Shoot him" they answered,
and more than one hand was reached
back 10 the revolver stock.
"Wheny"
"Nowr' came the laundering re
sponse, and the men crowded forward
Il think" said Sim Bliss, that to
execute him now would be little IT.
regular. 1t is customary to give the con-
demned an opportunity to make their
peace. -,
Then Well give him till sun up!'
shouted Fairplay.
This suggestion was acted upon, and
the condemned man was at once placed
under special guard.
(To BE CONTINUED.
Honesty Best, After All.
Two hungry workmen on the trainI
lately came to village where lived
| Catholic priest who WAS known to keel