Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-02-09

as-y.-..-.---,-.----------..----.-----.---.---
Prisoner Riggs, sorr; to spake to
the Lieutenant"
1t was the first time Lambert had con-
Quoted an investigation of the kind, and
he had no precedent to guide him.
riggs" said he, Murphy tells me
your going to town last night was at
the instance of some relative of Mrs.
.Walton's, who asked you to do them
service. Was that true?"
ut was, SIR
"Then he will doubtless be glad to
come forward and exonerate you, OF at
least explain your conduct in the early
evening. Your later conduct only
court-martia! can properly consider.
Where is this gentleman?'
II don't know, sir"
what LIS his name?" s.,..
"I-can.t tell. sir" ~
"You know it, do you not?"
II suppose do, sir, butt can't tell
it." t .
"In the event of your trial he is the
only man who can help you, and the re-
port I have to make of your miscon-
duct is most serious. Drunkenness
only aggrayates housebreaking and at
tempted robbery. as well as assault"
II broke no houses, sir, and attempted
no robbery. AS for assault, the lady her.
| self will say meant no HARM"
But your own comrade admits he
found you in the cellar entrance at the
foot of the steps, on premises you were
forbidden to enter. to all appearances
stealing wine, and he was striving TO
| get you away when the noise brought
Mrs. Walton upon you. The case is
fragrant"
Riggs threw his hands forward in
despairing gesture, dropped them again
by his side, and stood silent.
DO you mean you have nothing to
say for yourself ?-that you cannot dis
prove the charges?"
II have plenty to say for myself, sir,
but nobody to say anything for me.
The worst anyone can ever prove of me
is that I've been q drinking man. I'm
no thief; I'm no burglar; and I'd burn
me hand off before I'd lay it to hurt a
woman. old or young. l never knew
what was doing, if grabbed the lady
by the throat. But I'd be a worse man
than the lieutenant thinks me if I'd
do what he esks."
. "This is nonsense, Riggs. What have
I asked you to do that would be either
criminal or wrong?"
ITO defend myself at the expense Of
a friend. sir" said Riggs, with melo-
dramatic gravity. ''I'll never betray
the man that's trusted me-"
"Take him back to the guard tent,
sentry" said Lambert, hardly know
ing whether to be amused or disguised.
''The man isn't sober yet"
And then for the first time the young
officer became aware of the presence of
q horseman at the side of his tent. With
his hat brim pulled down over his eyes
and the rain dripping from bit and boot
and bride rein, there sat his acquaint-
ance of the owl train-Mr. Barton
Potts.
"One of your men said you wished to
see me. lieu tenant" said Mr.. Potts,
with a courteous wave OF his hand. II
was coming anyhow, but rode round
from the balm yawnduh and came in
long the branch. Excuse me if I've
stumbled on something / wasn't ex-
| pected to hear"
Certainly. Mr.. Potts. Can you dis
mount and come in? 1 much want to
talk with you"
"And want to have talk with you,
licutenant-ve'y much-and I'm COM
ing for the purpose, but not just now.
There are some matters I must tend to
in town for my aunt, Mrs. Walton, at
once. But let me add my thanks 10
1 hers-and much more than hers-for
your prompt assistance last night. I
know that man by sight. I've seen him
cy I wasn't there last night. I'd "a
shot him dead"
"You can be sure he shall not escape
Justice, Mr.. Potts, though your aunt
seems to refuse to see me with regard to
the matter. ........... ..,..5.... LII.
"1'll explain all that later, sub" said
Potts, lowering his voice. five simply
got to go at once. But Ill see you to-
night; and meantime. let me repeat
what I said. You shan't lack for II
friend. round heah. sub. You treated
me like a gentleman when / was drunk
and possibly offensive-though hope
not, suh-and you've behaved like a
gentleman to my people, and by and by
they'll see it. Just you wait. By the
bye, you remember Col. Scroggs?" "a
II don't think do. Some of that