Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-10-11

lay without struggle, face down aud
arms spread cut.
Great rs was the fear OF the desper.
ado. All involuntary cry Of horror went
up from the crowd. Killing Is all right
and proper in its way, but the shooting
Of nm unarmed man who voluntarily
held up his hands and kept them up
was murder, even on the plains
Sam looked savagely around him,
glaring at the crowd that slipped away
from him. the smoking pistol hanging
nuzzle downward from his hands.
"It's all trick. He had a shooting
iron in his boot. see the butt Of 1t
sticking out. That's why ! fired. "
"I'm not sayin nothing" said Mix.
as the fierce glance Of Hickory rested on
him. 'Tain't any affair Of mine. "
Eyes, il isl" cried Hickory.
"Why, l didn't have nothing to do
with il" protested the saloon keeper.
"No. But you've got something to do
with il now. What did We elect you
coroner fur, I'd like to know; You've
got to hustle around and panel your
jury and bring in verdict Of accidental
death or something Of that sort. Bring
any sort kind Of verdict that'll save
trouble in future. believe in law and
order, l do, and like to see things done
regular.
"But we didn't have no jury for them
cowboys, said Mike.
"Well, cowboys is different. 1t didn't
so much matter about them. Still it'd
oughter been done even with cowboys
II we were more'n half civilized. Moth
ing like having things down OH the rec.
ord straight and shipshape. Now some
Of you fellows help me In with the body
and Mike'll panel his jury in three
shakes
There Is nothing like an energetic,
public spirited man for reducing chaos
to order. Things began to assume their
normal attitude, and the crowd began
to look to Sam for instructions as to the
proper thing to do. He seemed to un.
derstand the etiquette Of these occasions,
and those present felt that they were
ignorant aud inexperienced compared
with him.
The body was laid out on bench in
the room at the back OF the saloon,
while the jury and the spectators were
accommodated with such seats as the
place afforded. Hickory Sam himself
taking an elevated position on the top
Of barrel where he could, as it were.
preside over the arrangements. Il was
vaguely felt by those present that Sam
bore no malice toward the deceased. and
this was put down rather to his credit
~ think, said the coroner, looking
hesitatingly up at Sam. with an expires.
sion which showed he was quite pre-
pared to withdraw his proposal II 1t
should prove inappropriate. II think
we might have the lawyer over here.
He knows how these things should be
done, and he's the only man in Salt
Lick that's got q Bible to swear the
Jury on. l think they ought to be
sworn"
"Tbat's good idea, +" concurred Sam.
Zone of you run across for him and tell
him to bring the book. Nothing like
having those things regular and proper
according to law"
The lawyer bad heard Of the catas.
trophe, and he came promptly over 70
the saloon, bringing the book with him
and some papers in his hand. There
was now no doubt about Sans knosl-
edge of the proper thing TO do, when IL
was found that the lawyer quite agreed
with him that an inquest, under the
circumstances. was justiflsble and ac-
cording to precedent. The jury found
that the late Mr.. Butler had "died
through mjsadventure. which phrase,
sarcastically suggested BY the lawyer
when he found that the verdict was 60
ing to be accidental death, +" pleased
the jury, who at onoe adopted it.
When the proceedings were 20 pleas
antly terminated BY verdict aocepta-
BILE to all parties, the lawyer cleared his
throat and said that his late client, hav.
ing perhaps Q prsmonition Of his fate.
had recently made . will, and he had
desired the lawyer 10 make the will
pubic as soon % possible after his death.
Az the occasion seemed IN every way
suitable the lawyer proposed, with the
permission Of the coroner. 10 read that
portion which Mr.. Butler desired ahould
iscsivs the widest possible publicity.