The Press., 1896-07-16

I"Look here, sheriff, it's your business to catch folk an mine to send 'em up, |" he said irritably, "but if you says it's only drunken spree all he kin pay for 5he damage, I'll fine him $5. See he's lruv out of the town afore sundown. Then, turning to the prisoner, "The sentence of the court is''- Again the sheriff leaned over. "But Vou must hear the evidence.
 "Evidence What for2"
 "Oh, we'll, it's usual in this yer kind H business" said tho sheriff.
 "Didn t you an Constable Wrong ketch 1im at Millette's a-risin Cain an smash n in the bar fixin'sf''
 "Yes, butt
 "Waal, then, what do l want with evidence? You think 'cause I'm new to ;his yer business, sheriff, I'm goin ter oe dictatered to by you, but you're mis- ;ook Darned side mistook, an, what's nore, Little John Baines, next time you re runnin for sheriff you may leave ne out. D'you hear2'
 "Waal, now, judge, said the prison w admiringly, "in course you don't want no evidence Whats a man like 'ou, clear sighted, discernin. learned kind of man, so to speak, want with evidenca It's only that pesky sheriff thar wants to shove his finger in tho pie. I'll plead guilty an bust his evidence higher kite, judge. You're the man for me-"
 The magistrate nodded and resolved to deal leniently with the prisoner. "Thar's no doubt, young man." he said iudicially, "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 tater patch an ain't no time for this yer evidence business the sentence of the court is - $1O or a month. "
 The prisoner felt in his pockets. They were empty. "I'm afeared it'll have to be a month, judge, he said. "Couldn't t you make it three weeks?"
 "No, answered the judge dubiously. "You ve got off 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 tho $1O an costs in my tater patch?" he asked despite tho sheriff's bewilderment.
 "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. thing l don't hold with"
 The sheriff tried to dissemble his wrath II can't stay here all day, judge," he said angrily. You know s we'll as do I got orders from Ottawa last night to raise the country after Bud Appleton. He's held up the Nation coach-got away with $lO,OOO, 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 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 $1O 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 ciroum- stances.
 The sheriff produced pair of hand cuffs. "Then I'd better take him down stairs to John Grey," he said. "Prison- CT, hold out your hands "
 The prisoner stepped back with lazy scorn. " 'Twould take a 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 a ring" taunted the sheriff. May as we'll have all yoaR 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 ain't no one to answer for you, young man, you'd better go quietly" urged the judge.
 The prisoner rapidly caught up a wooden stool, but reeled from loss o1 blood. As Little John Baines warily ad- vanced the jailer's daughter dashed uI the room and sprang to the swaying mans s side. "I'll answer for him,' she cried and pulled little silver plated re- volver from her pocket "John Baines, if you come 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 dead faint.
 The girl caught him. Keep back, you blundering bullock" she cried pas sionately to the sheriff. Keep back and give him air. "
 The sheriff was amazed. "Didn't know I'd hit him so hard, Lelota," he said apologetically. ''He must have 8 head like an eggshell.
 "Go," cried the girl, "send father up. We'll be responsible.
 The sheriff remembered Bud Apple ton. II must go," 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 hel arm and was busily engaged unfasten- ing the collar of his flannel shirt. Pres ently the prisoner opened his eyes. "It ain't that clOut on the head," he mur- mured scornfully. 'That wouldn 't''-
 "S-s-s-s-hl" she whispered. II know. There's bullet hole in your shoulder, . Daddy, you take his legs"
 The stalwart, gray haired old jaile1 and his daughter raised up the swoon- ing man, and carried him out of the courthouse into the jail below. The girl was very strong, but once or twice had to pause for breath, as the iudge