The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-24
TCONVICFED'

The crain was que, puv " nnu ugs ~
riysd ret. Twelve OF u waited In tho sta
ton. Eleven O'Clock ct night was tho tima
The weather was gusty and the night dark
"Haven't starypd 20 since was On the
fury In the Fribble murder case" said
short passenger In pea Jacket
"Good time for the Jerseyites to murder
some one now" said tall man with
hamper and some fishing tackle by way Of
luggage. Here's Jury ready-12 of US"
"No, there amt" cried big man In Q
big white overcoat. Count me out--only
II Of you. Wouldn't sit on jury In case
Of life and DEATH Wouldn't bring In q YER
dict of guilty If ten men had seen tho deed
done"
Reckon you don't hold to capital pun
ishmentR" said the other.
Don't believe any Of the evidence"
said white oyercoat. why, man alive,
might have been hung myself on the very
best of evidence 90 years ago. ! know
what It's worth"
"You didn't do IT, them" asked very
little old man with no hair to speak Of.
You'd have sworn I did, said white
oyercoat, In nowise offended by the ques-
ton. $50 would Norris and Todd and
Joaquin. I was young fellow then, just
2O--big for my age, horrible temper, awful
fool.
Liked the girls" said white overcoat.
"Like 'em still. was good looking, but
Joaquin was handsomer, and lilly Sparks
said so. Her cousin told me that she did,
anyhow, and as I'd been paying attentions
to her 1t wasn't pleasant to hear that on
the very night when lilly went of to
church with Joaquin.
"'It's shame, Thomas said the cous-
in. i scolded her for 1t, but she laughed
at me. "Jacquin Is 30 times handsomer
than Tom,' says she. "and II l like
change why shouldn't have it2'' And
that's tho truth, Thomas.
"'Well, says I, mo doubt it is, and girls
are girls. Let lilly do as she chooses. But
as for Joaquin, III spoil his beauty for
him.
"With that I went off in fury, mean
ing to thrash Joaquin next day. / hadn't
a thought of cutting his throat, but I
meant to give him two black eyes If got
the opportunity.
"There was Norris in bed, home, sick
with cold. l roomed with him. He was
a young man from Boston. All the good
young men do come from there He taught
Sunday school and wanted to be a minis
ter, only circumstances hadn't permitted.
al couldn't close my eyes, said Norris,
IF I'd talked like that. You've mentioned
the evil one IA times, and you've spoken
Of the lake of fire and birthstone Is times
You've gone through the bones and j'ints
that Jacquin is composed of like an an
atolnical work, and you've cussed EN- all
separately, and you've threatened his life.
"Hold your tongue, yelled I. You
amt ordained yet. Nobody is compelled
to hear you preach until you are. I'll talk
as choose.
"At this he tucked his tow colored head
under tho sheet, and put out the light
and turned into my own bed, but ! couldn't
go to sleep was in such tremor of rage.
I lay there thinking and thinking, as If
I'd been machine made to turn 'out
thoughts by the bushel.
II thought how gloriously could give
1t to Joaquin. One, two, three-smashl
Ono, two, three-crashl Down with him,
and all that, you know thought I
should like to break his nose and gouge
his eyes and leave marks on him for good.
"After awhile thought how I'd like to
have a loaded pistol Then remembered
that l had one. 1t didn't belong to Inc.
I was keeping 1t for friend. had 1t In
my bureau drawer.
Morris hadn't called to me as went
out of tho rom, so suppose he hadn't
heard me; but there was in the street,
with the pistol in my breast pocket. 1t
was not late yet-only 10. If Joaquin had
been so greatly encouraged by lilly, no
doubt he was with her yet.
II took my way toward that well re-
membered door. stood behind the lamp
post on the corner and took peep, My
suspicious were correct. He had been in
and was Just bidding lilly goodby. l saw
him kiss her.
"And the door shut, and on he came TO-
ward mo, whistling as II he'd swallowed
canary bird. And behind him, from under
a porch where he'd been hiding, came a
mana great, rough brute Of fellow
creeping, creeping on his track.
"1hey were opposite my lamppost, and
/ saw the fellow draw pistol from his
pocket and TAKE aim straight at Jacquin's
head forgot all my own rage then.
"'My God Joaquin. take care of your
selfr cried.
"And there was the report of pistol,
and / saw him before me fiat on his face.
The murderer rushed down the street, and
I knolt beside him. Blood streamed down
his temples all over my clothes, all over
my hands. Speak 10 me, Joaquin,
cried. And then hand came down on my
shoulder, and turned. A policeman stood
thero ard beside him stood Norris.
az knew where your angry passions
would lead you, said he, and in spite of
my cold followed. I'm very sorry for you,
Thomas
"No ono believed my story of the man
who had followed him, and there were wit
nesses-Norris and Tilly's cousin-to at
test to the fact that / had threatened
Jacquin's life. In fact, the evidence was
all against Inc. They didn't seem to take
ton minutes to decide on the verdict,
Guilty Sentence of death was pro-
nounoed upon mo by the judge in less time
than can tell you Of Il. -
"Train coming" cried the station mas.
ter. Don't stop minute"
Good graciousl' screamed the little old
man. "How did 1t endP"
"Convicted murderer" said the man
with white coat. Sentenced to DO hung
next Friday. Gallows built Clergyman
with mo. Letter to mother. Letter to
lilly. Black cap on. Bell tolling Out
on the platform. Crowd looking Last
dying speech
Tho engine shrieked
Passengers" yelled the voice at the
door.
"What saved youf' screamed the little
man.
woke up" said Thomas Thomas;
"woke up then. Found myself In bed.
Hadn't got up at all. Pistol safo In the
drawer Norris snoring In the next bed.
All dream"
And the train was off.
Never touched Joaquin" said the story
teller over his shoulder. "Ho married