Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-05-25

we never 10 tulHSe IN huNh6s ~
sumed the spokesman, 80 we won't
hurry in this case. I'll give ys till to
morrow afternoon to git your case
ready, and the trial will be held in this
place at that time. The hess'u be put
IN evidence agin you, and II you can
prove that you came honestly by him
you'll be discharged; II you can't why
~
A gesture told the rest.
The morrow came, aad the court
room-at other times the bar-roon,-
was filed with as motley q gathering Is
ever confronted q prisoner. The spokes-
man OF the preceding day occupied the
bench. A jury was impanelled. and
George was offered counsel, but declin-
ed the service Of the laAk, tobacco
stained cattlsnan who Wa assigned to
the case.
The trial proceeded. George was sick
It heart at tho utter hopeasssuess Of
lis case. The landlord testified that
the prisoner had ridden the stolen horse
INTO the village. and George repeated
his tale of the stranger and the ex-
change Of mounts. II was further elic-
ted that the missing horse was valued
1t a thousand dollars, that he was tax
n from killers place four days before,
hat Killers was hfty miles northwest
If Burrit's, and that there had been no
previous elew to the Identity Of the
thief.
Got anything to say atore sentence
rou to be hung" asked the court at
the conclusion Of the testimony.
"One thing" replied George. If the
:aker of the stolen horse took also the
saddle, touching which no evidence has
been submitted. and which 1t may be
assumed was true, why did he not let 1t
20 with the horse! The saddle on the
ioor there is mine, as l can show by
is contents. Now, II I came honestly
by the saddle, Is not this court bound
10 assume that I came into honest pos
session Of the horse also. unless 1t be
shown that l did notT
Georges logic made an evident favor
lble impression on the spectators, If not
IN the court.
What the prisoner says is true" said
ne; ''but 1t is also true that you can't
try a man for two crimes to once. This
eourtll try fust for hoss stealing. and
after sentence for that has been exc
cuted well hear evidence for saddle
stealing"
A look Of fierce disgust swept over
Georges face.
Am to understand. then, that II m
hanged for the alleged theft of the
horse, and 1t be proven subsequently
that I did not steal the saddle, no ad-
1itional punishment will be inflictedT"
ne demanded.
That's the verdict Of this court. We
don't punish no man for what he amt
guilty Of"
At this time the door opened and a
stranger entered the room. George
was too deeply engrossed in his own
bitter reflections to look up. The new
conner was tall. straight, muscular, en-
Drowned by sun and wind, and was
clad in seiled buckskin from crown to
sole.
Hello" he observed pleasantly
Something going on?"
''Trial-hoss stealing" explained a
Oystarder, laconically.
George raised his head at the sound
of the strangers voice. and to his blank
amazement recognized the impudent
scoundrel who had gotten him into his
present plight. Springing to his feet,
he almost shouted In his excitement:
L. tln no IaI
me the horse, There is the person who
foisted his spoil ON me. He will not
deny it."
Wal I'll be dinged II II amt Wei
don's elation," exclaimed the stranger
How dye like the blackF'
Il call all to witness that he admits
It, How do l like the black? You con-
fess, then, that you gave me a black
stallion with white left fore foot and
scar on right hip?"
The stranger seemed puzzled by the
Interrogatory fusillade.
II did," he replied at length: "that Is
20 say, let you take him to ride to the
ranch. He's Hank weldon's thorough
bred and wuth clean thousand
And l am under conviction for the
stealing Of the accursed brute. After
that mans statement l have n right TO
demand instant release from custody"
cried the prisoner, turning to the court.
We'll, now-let's goa leetle SLOW"
drawled the court, with knowing
wink in the direction of the jury. 1--WE
seed mebbe cutter tricks in my time
than this. Stranger. what's your
uameT
My name is Bill Horton-uster be
Willyum-and I'm from the cattle
ranch of Henry Weldon" was the re
ply. frankly and fairly given
How did you come by the black
hoss?'
He belongs to Weldon, and I've been
riding him about for nigh on to three
weeks looking for lost stock"
Did you know that he tallies to a dot
with a hoss as was stole from Killers
ranch four nights back, and that there's
Il big reward offered for the Killer
hoSs:' asked the court.
IF he does Hank Weldon will give
big money for the Killer horse" calm
iy replied the stranger.
'Tallies to dot and was STOLE" re-
peatcd the court.
The strangers aspect underwent a
change.
IF amt too bold I'd like to ask II
there Is anybody here as insinerates
that I'm guilty of boss stealing?" he
;o1,,ira1 corolasSlv dropDinC HE n a Dds
on two huge pistols pretruding from
his belt.
No one spoke. The buckskinned one
flashed his eyes keenly from face to
face, finally resting inQuiringly on that
Of the court.
As nobody seems likes II he wanted
TO suspect a gentleman without no evil
dence agin him, suppose you adjourn
the court for a day or so till you can
tnt~