The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-20
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FOUND GUILTY.


Henry confessed:
''T'ze broke ebry one oh de Ten Com
mand1aents Over'n over agin; but, LaHd
be praised, the debbiI can't take away nv
religunP'
Finally young Blocdgood Of the general
store undertook John Henry s reformation.
He decided upon a plan of action that was
highly original and let number of young
fellows, scions of the Bushrods, Washing
tons and Cutters, into the secret. Life
was not overly exciting in the county, so
that all entered heartily into what seemed
to give promise of a good joke
Young EInslie, who had just come down
from Baltimore to visit the Bushrods, was
unknown 20 John Henry, so that the deli
cate commission of Turing him on was in
trusted to him. John Henry proved limo
cent and unsuspeoting, and his confidence
was secured by means of a gift OF paper
of bad smoking tobacco and a pint of
worse whisky. Then EInslie said mysteri-
Ously:
''Look here, uncle Has any one died re-
Gently in these parts?''
mo, Mars Emslie, - said John Henry,
with a start. None but ole Ephum, who
was buried ovah a month ago"
1.-The very thing" said Emsle "Can
I trust you with a secret, John Henry?''
1" Deed an you kin, sab. -
''Well, it isn't known here, but I'm a
medical student in Baltimore. What 1
came down here for is a cadaver. You
know what that is, don't you?''
Its bird, amt it?'' said John Henry
thoughtfully 'Tain't a buzzard, 1
reckon
''No, no, - said Emslie, sinking his voice
almost to a whisper IT'S dead body.
What want is old Ephraim, and I'll give
you $50 if you'll help me get him
IAN if we git caught" said John Henry
obviously.
"Oh, wen be hanged, of course said
Emsle cheerfully. Are you willing to
take the chances for SOP"
John Henry said he thought he was
Every well, then" said Emslie. ''Meet
me at II tonight at the colored graveyard
and bring a spade with you
John Henry promised to do SO, and Ems
lie returned to Bloodgood and the rest to
report
1.-The black rascal, " said BIoodgood in
disgust Didn't tell you he'd rob the
deadP'
The night was without moon, and ev-
erything favored the Ubiquitous proceeding.
At 10 Emslie met John Henry at the des-
ignated place, which was not cheerful
one, to say the least, for appointment.
''Wel, you're here, I see," he said.
''Have you brought a spade with your
Now show me old Ephraim's grave''
John Henry led the way through tan
gle of blackberry vines and creepers. His
knees were beginning to knock under him
"Now Dig" commanded Emshe when the
other paused before a freshly made mound.
"Let's get through with this business as
soon as we can. -
John Henry took off his coat preparatory
TO beginning his CHASTITY work. Before he
put his spade into the ground he looked
around for another reassuring glance at
his companion. But Emslie had mysteri-
ously disappeared.
Almost at the same time number of
dark forms rose up as Iuysteriously on all
sides around him. John Henry was so
frightened that he fell down on his knees.
He thought they were the denizens of the
place seeking vengeance until he heard
stern voice, which he recognized as Colo
mel Washington's s, say:
$50 we've caught you red handed, you
scoundrel! Light a lantern, some of you,
and We'll see who it is. -
In the glare of the match John Henry
noticed that every one wore black half
mask and carried a shotgun. He endeav-
ored to collect his frightened wits
'''Deed I amt did muffin wrong, y he ex-
postulated. ''Fo' Gawd amt, gemmenl'
'Then what are you doing here at this
hourP''
81 jus come in to weed ovah ole Eph-
UNI s graveP'
said Colonel Washington. why, as I live,
it's the very spade you borrowed from me
over month ago.
''Yaas, sir, - said John Henry lamely. ''T
wuz on my way ter return hir ter yer"
'fWbat shall we do with him?'' asked
Colonel Washington, turning to his com
panions. Hang him to the nearest tree?''
ooh, hanging's too good for him, y said
another. Let's cut him to pieces, little
bit at a time -
mo, - 1nterposed third; che ought to
have a fair trial Let's take him to JUS
tice Taintor's and give him fair trial -
"That's So" came the gruf chorus.
'SHe ought to have fair trial. Wen take
him to Justice TaAntors.''
Justice Taintor was already prepared for
their coming. Nevertheless he pretended
to be awakened from a sound sleep, and
after awhile came down and lit the lamp
in the little bare room in which he held
court
When the facts were made known to
him, he consented to an immediate trial,
which proved to be exceedingly humorous
to all except the prisoner. Colonel Wash
ington made out a strong case for the
prosecution, and then Mr.. Blackburn, who
had been appointed to represent John
Henry's interests, arose.
II admit everything Colonel Washington
has said, and more" he began. "Hades
is too good for John Henry. The devil
couldn't keep chicken if he was around.
hope you won't send him there, judge,
for by so doing you'll only increase the
immortality of the place.
The jury found the quaking prisoner
guilty without leaving their seats, and then
Justice Taintor turned to him and said:
''John Henry, if the law took it's proper
course, you would be plunged like a human
Cioughnut in vat of boiling oil. But we
haven't any vat of boiling oil, SO I'm 60
ing to give you chance. Gentlemen, go
outside and have your guns ready. As the
prisoner runs blaze away at him as many
times as you like, and if he gets off with
his life we'll and ooOd -