The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-03-12
XIX.

near, trCmDled WIN emotlon n gr1ef,
for evidence was piling up against
him, and hope seemed almost folly.
They had concluded to wait no longer,
as DELAY seemed only to make matters
worse, as it gave his enemies time to
work their schemes. But his awyer was
now ushering in some one. Ellie looked
excitedly to see who it was, and, oh,
the joy of it, she recognized Bertha
Hazel and her mother. y
They were at once put upon the wit
ness stand, and gave in their testimony
briefly and clearly, in substance, as
Bertha had related it to DR., Dtbney.
A stir ran through the couft room,
the jurors could hardly keep their seats
so excitedly they heard what edanged
so completely the entire case,s Now
they saw why Clayton had tak& such
active part in the prosecution aid why
witnesses had been brought in from the
by-ways and highways.
But the name of the accomplice who
was perhaps the murderer was un-
known.
The description given Of him by Jack
Hazel to Charlie was indefinite "a
stopped shouldered man with an odd
way of jerking his words out, - was a
very slight clue to his discovery.
Mrs. Hazel had just taken her seat,
when a tall man, conspicuously
stopped s~houldered, stepped forward.
He was dressed in the federal blue,
and his high cavalry boots had the
spurs still buckled to them.
please, your honor, 'he COM
menced, and there was the. unmistak-
able jerk" in his speech, Il am the
for a thousand dollars, but please God,
l did not do it,. l ran off and Joined
Charlie Dabney's company to try to do
him all the good l could to pay for
having that black thing in my heart.
But 1 got up here to tell you who
killed Jack Hazel.
There were two witnesses, but the
other one was killed in that last fight
'h III ppIhtl' L am tht NV thdu ~
the murder with my own eyes. Char
lie Dabney was at home in his room
when l went by there that night on my
way home. l know he was there for
| heard his voice talking loud, and saw
him standing between the lamp and
the window.
When | walked on down through
Mrs. Dabney's pasture / saw Lon Clay
was shining, and presently Jack Hazel
came along and passed Clayton, and
just as he passed Clayton shot him in
the back. Just as he pulled the trig-
hunting, came up and saw it, too.
He and / considered a little while and
calculated we'd better keep the matter
still as long as there was NC danger Of
anybody hanging for it. But when ]
got home and found Charlie Dabney
caught up and put in Jail for what he
is as innocent of as "A baby, twas all ]
could do to hold my peace. But
Shiii Y hoiu i'.ho i'ii6'i, " eAAeSN
witnesses are about to hang him."
What grudgc did Clayton say he had
against the prisoner, " asked the law
yer.
HE said Dabney was in his way.
l think from what he said he was
jealous about a young lady. He nor ]
neither had no notion Jack Hazel heard
us talking, but Clayton must have
heard Jack tell Charlie, and was 'fraid
to let him live. knowing all that"
Bertha and her mother had already
made a decided change in the senti
ments of the jurors, in favor of the
prisoner, and their evidence agaiins
{ Mr.. Clayton was now confirmed, max
, ing a clear case against him.
While the last witness was speaking
Mr.. Clayton, deathly pale, had risen t.
' his feet and staggered toward the door
!, but the sheriff laid his hand upon hin
and forced him to his seat.
. He shook as with an ague, and hi
pallid face was distorted with fiendisl
S passions.
How could I ever think him hand
some?" Ellie thought as she looked OIL
him with genuine pity.
= The tide being turned now in Char
lies favor, his friends were not SUI
e prised at the verdict of not guilty, an
satisfied with his acquittal, they di,
l not wish to see OF hear of the prosecu
tion of Mr.. Clayton.
s The troublous war time was fu.
enough of horrors without bringin
a prisoners before the civil courtg al
as no one wished or worked for Clay
n toms prosecution it was not strang
e that bribery delayed the day Of tri,
and postponed it indefinitely.
But Charlie Dabney was Ill unit
death. They had taken him from th
court room in a fainting condition.
:" "Oh, Charlie, don't give up nov
10 don't die" Ellie cried as she tried [
$, rouse him to consciousness.
Te Mary and Bertha we're with them !
it the carriage, as it took the old familis
III road to The Elms.
There they found the dreary, chez
of less house with everything as Ellie an
Mrs. Dabney had left it weeks before
r, "A wretched place, :" thought Mar,
g, ''for poor, sick Charlie to come bas
/ to-"
er But Fife, Bertha and Mary made
hit very comfortable for him, and M
Ill Norton consented to stay and wait {
de him.
Would Aunt Mag come to him nov
J." do you think2" whispered Ellie to M
ly Norton.
would you like for me to go al