Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-02-02
you'd shoot me tomorrow.

But, gentlemen, there's the rub
own it now. There's my poor wife and
her sister. I've lied to them both She
got we'll at the sanitarium She's be-
lieved my promises and she's come all
the way to San Francisco and was ex-
pecting me there when-when the bot.
tom fell out of the whole business She's
there now-she and her sister. They've
got enough to pay their expenses per-
haps month or so, and that's all l
can make living. can get along and
provide for her if you II only give me a
chance. l know l deserve dismissal
That's all right. but for Gods sake,
gentlemen, don't send me to Alcatraz,
don't put me in Jail. Leave me free to
work. There's men in this territory
that owe me nearly 81, 1000 today. Let
me gather that up and go to my wife
L She's good woman, gentlemen
And here the tears came starting from
the pleading culprit's eyes, and one or
two sympathetic souls about the rude
tables shifted suspiciously
1T amt for me to talk of such
things. Perhaps you won't believe me,
but'-and he fingered the leaves of the
blue bound copy of the regulations that
lay to the left of the judge advocates
elbow-"I-I love that woman and I
want to care for her, and take good care
of her. Look here, he continued, as
with sudden, impulsive movement he
unbuttoned his trim fitting, single
breasted frock coat and displayed a
snowy shirt bosom, on which sparkled
ard glistened great diamond set in
the style much affected by the "sport
ing gent" Of the day
"See this diamond. 1t cost 81, 100 in
San Francisco six months ago, and here
this solitary, and he produced from
an inner pocket an unquestionably val
liable ring and, with trembling hands,
laid them upon the table in front of the
judge advocate. land here, )" and he
whipped from the waistband of his
trousers massive and beautiful watch
There are all the valuables have in
the world. These place in the hands
of the worthy officer and gentleman who
has only done his duty in representing
the government through this long and
painful trial. These publicly turn
over to him with the request that he
personally hand them to my poor wife
as soon as he reaches San Francisco as
earnest Of my intention to lead an hon.
est life and to care for her in the future.
And now, gentlemen, I've nothing to
ask for myself-nothing but liberty to
go and work for her Pm not fit TO sit
with such as you.
He finished and, quivering as with
suppressed emotion, turned his back up
on the court, pressed his handkerchief
to his streaming eyes and CROPPED his
way to the little table set apart for him
a few yards to the left of the Judge ad
vocare The silence among the meln.
bers and along the benches wherein
were seated the dozen spectators was
for moment unbroken Ivy u sound ex,
cept little shuttiing of feet Then one
veteran member cleared his throat with
a Them Of preparation to speak. yet
hesitated
The JUNIOR officer of tho court, a lieu.
tenant of cavalry. slowly stretched forth
his hand, picked up the solitaire anC
eyed it with an assumption of critica
yet respectful interest The president,
grizzled. red faced veteran. presently
stole glance at Turnbull, who sat
with stolid features Immediately on his
right One by one the nine members
1.-TWO of the original IL having been
challenged an excused) began to look
cautiously about them
A captain of infantry was observed
to be very red about the eyelids, but
that might have been, and possibly was,
the result of cocktails Lorins alone re-
manned in the same position He had
half turned his back to Nevlns when
the latter began to speak. rested his loft