Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-08


evidences. It's only that pesky sheriff
thar wants to shove his finger in the pie.
III plead guilty an bust his evidence
higher n q kite, judge. You're the man
Tor me. - -
The magistrate nodded and resolved
TO deal leniently with the prisoner
"Thar's no doubt, young man." he said
judicially, 'thar's no doubt, young
man, as the court could make it all fired
hot for you, but as the court wants to
git back to its later patch an amt no
time for this yer evidence business the
sentence Of the court is flo or q
month.
The prisoner felt in his pockets. They
were empty. I'm afeared it II have to
be month, judge, The said. "Couldn't
you make it three weeks?''
mo, answered the judge dubiously.
you've got of mighty easy as it is. ;"
He did not know what to do with his
prisoner, as the Jail was being repaired.
"You wouldn t work off the 81 O an costs
in my later patch:" he asked despite the
sheriff's bewildermenr.
"No. sir, replied the prisoner. with
emphasis. II wouldn't mind doin it to
oblige you. judge, but then that pesky
sheriff would git his costs, q thing l
don't hold with"
The sheriff tried to dissemble his
wrath. II can't stay here all day,
judge" he said angrily. lyon know S
we'll as do. got orders from Ottawa
last night to raise the country after Bud
Appleton. He's held mp the Nation
coach-got away with $4,000, ans in
the Bush now. If this fellow hadn't
struck the town this mornin I'd have
been after Appleton long ago. Millette
didn't ought to have took him in.
The prisoner looked at the sheriff criti-
cally. "Waal, it can't be helped,
judge" he said pleasantly. II s'pose
I'll have to put in a month samplin geo.
logical specimens in the jailyard.
He stopped suddenly, for the jailer's
daughter had emerged little from the
shadow of the door and held up u $40
bill. The prisoner imperceptibly shook
his head. and the girl went back into
the shadow. blushing rosily. Her inter-
est in the handsome tramp had rapidly
increased. She admired his defiance of
Little John Baines. his 1.-the, sinewy
build. his easy indifference to circum-
stances.
The sheriff produced a pair Of hand
cuffs. Then I'd better take him down
stairs to John Grey" he said. "Prison-
er. hold out your hands"
The prisoner stepped back with lazy
scorn. "'Twould take bigger man n
you, John Baines, to put them things On
me. he said quietly. I'll go right
enough. but not in bracelets.
you've got ring" tainted the
sheriff. May as well have all your
jewelry complete. And he advanced a
step.
The prisoner drew back in painful ir-
resolution.
"None Of your foolishness, said John
Baines, raising his leg Of mutton fist
ominously.
"Seein as thar amt no one to answer
for You, young man, you'd better 60
quietly" urged the judge.
The prisoner rapidly cauRht up a
wooden stool, but reeled from loss of
blood. As Little John Baines warily ad-
vanced the jailer's daughter dashed up
the room and sprang to the swaying
mans side. "I'll answer for him." she
cried and pulled a little silver platod re-
volver from her pocket. "John Baines,
if You come a step nearer, I'll blow your
brains OUT
"You-you'd have to fire long time
afore you hit any," joked the prisoner,
dropping the stool and falling forward
in a dead faint.
The girl caught him. keep back,
you laundering bullock" she cried pas.
sionately to the sheriff. keep back and
give him air"
The sheriff was amazed. Didn't
know I'd his him SO hard, Lelota, - he
said alphabetically. HE mus. have
head like an eggshell
&C.," cried the girl, "send father
up. Wen be responsible
The sheriff remembered bud Apple
ton. II must Co." he said bitterly.
"You've flouted me enuff one day, Le-
lota."
But the girl did not heed him. She
had pillowed the prisoners head On her
arm and was busily engaged unfasten-
ing the collar of his flannel shirt. Pres
emily the prisoner opened his eyes. 1T
amt that clout on tho head" he muir
INJURED scornfully. THAT wouldn't''-
"S-s-s-s-h!" she whispered, Il know.
There's bullet hole in your shoulder.
Daddy, you take his legs"
The stalwart, gray haired old jailer
and his daughter raised up the swoon-
ing man, and carried him out of tho
courthouse into the Jail below. The
girl was very strong, but once or twice
had to pause for breath, as the judge
went back to his potato patch with a
muttered malediction on Millette for
cleaning out the prisoner so completely
that he couldn't even raise $40 to pay
q fine.
The sheriff got his posse together and
rode off with murder in his heart. Tho
girl had treated him like dog, Just for
smashing in the head of disreputable
tramp 1t would have Jared i'll with the
Bud Appleton gang had they encounter
ed the sheriff that morning