The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-07-17

CONVICTED.

The train was due, but it had not arrived
yet. Twelve of us waited in the station
Ele> en- o clock at night WAS the time The
weather was gusty and the night dark.
Haven't starved SO since l was on the
jury in the Fribble murder case, said a
short passenger in pea jacket.
''Good time for the Jerseyites to murder
some one now,n said a tall man with a
hamper and some fishing tackle by way of
luggage. "Here's jury ready-twelve of
u.s."
''No, there amt" cried tall man in a
big light overcoat. Count me out-only
eleven of you. Wouldn't sit on jury in
case of life and death. Wouldn't bring
in verdict of guilty if ten men had seen
the deed done"
"Reckon you don't hold to capital pun
shment ?" said the other.
''Don't believe any of the evidence, 1"
said light overcoat. 'Why, man alive,
might have been hung myself on the very
best of evidence twenty years ago. know
what it's work"
"IOu didn't do it, thenn asked a little
old man, with no hair to speak of.
"You'd have sworn | did," said light
overcoat, in no wise offended by the ques-
ton. 80 would Norris, Todd and
Joaquin. | was a young fellow then, just
twenty-hig for my age, horrible temper
awful fool. Liked the girls-like them
still. was good looking, but Joaquin
was handsomer, and Title Sparks said So
Her cousin told me that she did, anyhow,
and as I'd been paying attentions to her it
wasn't pleasant to hear that on the very
night when Tillie went off to church with
Joaquin.
It's a shame, Thomas, said the cousin. |
scolded her for it, hut she laughed at me,
saying Joaquin was twenty times hand
somer than Tom, and if she liked change
why shouldn't she have it! And that's the
truth, Thomas.
Well, says |, no doubt it is, and girls
are girls. Let lilly do as she pleases. But
as for Joaquin, III spoil his beauty for
him.
With that | went off in fury, meaning
to thrash Joaquin next day. l hadn't a
thought of cutting his throat, but meant
to give him two black eyes if | got the
opportunity.
There was Norris in bed home, sick with
cold. roomed with him. He was a
young man from Boston. He Taught in
Sunday School and wanted to he min
lister. only circumstances hadn't permitted.
Il couldn't close my eyes, said Norris,
if I'd talk like that. You have mentioned
the evil one fourteen times, and you've
spoken of the lake OF fire and birthstone
eighteen times. You have gone through
the bones and joints that Joaquin is COM
posed of like an anatomical work, and
you cussed 'em all separately, and you
threatened his life.
"lIold your toague," yelled l, you ain t
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 the sheet, and I put out the light
and turned into my own bed, but couldn t
90 to sleep, | was in such tremor of rage.
| lay there thinking and thinking. as if d
been a machine to turn out thoughts by
the bushel. | thought how gloriousy
could give it to Joaquin. | thought
should like to break his nose and gouge his
eyes and leave marks on him for good.
After while thought how I'd like to
have a loaded pistol. Then / remembered
that had one. 1t didn't belong to me;
was keeping it for a friend. l had it in
my bureau drawer.
"Norris hadn't called to me as | went
out of the room, so | suppose he hadn't
heard me- but there was in the street,
with the pistol in my breast-pooket. II
wos not late yet-only ten. If Jacqrin
had been so greatly encouraged by THY,
no doubt he was with her yet.
| took my way toward that well remem.
bered door stood behind the lamp-post
on the corner and took Il peep. My sus-
picions were correct. He had been in and
was just bidding lilly good-by. saw him
kiss her.
And the door shut, and on he came to-
ward me, whistling as if he'd swallowed a
canary bird. And behind him, from under
Il porch where he had been hiding, came q
mana great rough brute of a fellow
creeping, creeping on his track.
They were opposite my lamp.post, and |
saw the fellow draw a pistol from his
pocket and take aim straight at Jacquin's
head. forgot all my rage then.
'Oh! Joaquin, take care of yourselfp'
| cried.
And there was report of pistol, and
saw him flat on his face. The murderer
rushed down the street, and | knelt beside
Joaquin. Blood streamed down his temple
all over his clothes, all over my hands.
Speak to me, Joaquin, l cried.
And then hand came down on nv
shoulder. and | turned. A policeman
stood there, and beside him stood Norris