Evening capital., 1899-11-22
PROvIDENTIAL

lduu LQ0 proprietor tu6 D6SI uOlSA buC
place could boast Of was surprised, not
to say fattered to see gentleman.
gold-headed as his cane and evidently
rich and influential, TO judge from his
servants and luggage, alight from the
coach with all the appearance OF one
who was going TO stay at least week
in the place He was distinctly Amer
/ lean with twinkling gray eye, long
aquiline nose, clean shaven upper
lip and a small goatee. which he
smothed meditatively as he stood like
| long-legged Colossus of Rhodes, in
trousering of very broad check pat
tern, surveying the pride of the pro-
prietors heart-namely, the hotel.
Il guess it is not unlike my stables
in Connecticut" he said presently, as
the proprietor came down to meet him.
You must have fine stables, then"
was the reply, offered gently, in the
hope of turning away not the great
man himself, but only his wrath.
I'VE have, sir; our stables are con-
siderable. And l say 1t in praise Of
your shanty that 1t reminds me of my
stables in Connecticut. | suppose you
can give us a loose box for a week,
maybe?"
The landlord recognized the free
and easy American with plenty OF
money-the kind of man who was
! never slow to give offence because he
was master of the situation by reason
of the almighty dollar; he recognized
the colonel and the general" the
man who travels as he lists the world
over, and gets ready respect and defer
ence from everybody
Certainly" he replied; for a week
or as much longer as you like"
well, I guess l only want to stay
a week. You see, l arranged to wait
here for Viscount Thurlton, who is
going to join me next Thursday, and
then we're going along to the new dig
gings just to reckon things up bit to
see whether the place is worth work
ing on a large scale as we do in Amer
lea. But say, boss, this place is real
dull after BrisbaDe; isn't there any
theatres or places of amusement?
reckon | shall die of dullnesS right
here"
The landlord, all eady under the dis
tinguished patronage of Viscount
Thurlton, became oily almost greasy
in his manner. lie explained that
there was no troupe at the theatre at
present and the OILY excitement was
the trial of a man who was supposed
to be concerned in daring coach rob-
berry committed some little time be-
fore in the neighbo|hood.
"Ah! that wouli be interesting"
said the stranger Il would like to see
that. Stuck up the coach, did he?'
We'll, they say lie did, but he him.
self swears that he is innocent, and
that he was in Brisbane at the time
care to hear the trial, sir, l can get
you a seat easily"
Il guess I'll take you up" returned
the stranger, and it was agreed that
the proprietor should escort the great
man to the court house on the NOR
row, and by his influence secure him a
good seat, just to enable him to while
away the time until Viscount Thurlton
came along.
1t so happened, however, that when
they arrived the body of the court was
full, so that the distinguished Ameri
can was accommodated with a seat on
the bench, where he not only had a
good view of the proceedings, but was
seen and known by everyone as the
friend of Viscount Thurlton, and a
wealthy American who was going to
buy up the new digging township to
work it" as an ordinary man might
work potato patch.
The prisoner was standing in the
dock with his eys cast down, listening
in despair to the conclusive evidence
against him. Presidently he raised
his eyes at some direct question from
the Judge, and was about to speak
when his eyes fell upon the distin-
guished stranger sitting on the bench.
He paused and staggered, then gripped
at the air and fell senseless in the
dock.
When at last he was brought round
he stood up and, pointing at the
stranger, gasped for breath and tried
to speak.
what is it, my MANI" said the
Judge. Steady yourself. / ask again,
have you anything to say in your own
defence?"
"Oh, Your Honor!" said the prison
er at last. II am saved-saved at the
last moment. / have already said l
was at Brisbane at the time of the rob-
berry, and there is the man who can
prove it,
"AH eyes followed the direction of
his finger and rested upon the strang-
er, who started, looked confused. then
lTTlIdt0u, anu HHdliy DSWllu1Tcu dS II
he fancied the prisoner must be mad.
IL that gentleman will answer my
question" resumed the prisoner, 81
think | shall be able to prove to every
one that was in Brisbane at the time
| said"
The stranger shifted in his seat ner-
vously, and at last said in tones of an
noyance and expostulation:
'Your Honor, I've never to my
knowledge set eyes on the prisoner
before, and / don't see how can fix
up his innocence. Besides, | guess
didn't come here to be questioned by
every son of gun that holds up a
mail COACH beg your pardon, Your
Honor, but you'll allow the annoyance
is considerable anyhow"
His Honor admitted it was, but
straightway appealed to the strangers
better feelings on behalf of the prison
er until he was somewhat Modified,
and remarked. WAL, IL he thinks it's
straight wire, he can start in. and I'll
answer his questions. | don't mind
taking him up on that
The stranger was then sworn, and
as he stood in the witness box the
prisoner addressed him.
Sir" he said. "a man was running
for your hat in the street of Brisbane.
and bringing it back to you on the
pavement"
Il can't say that I do" replied the
stranger after a little thought; mo,