The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-15
M JAMES x'sovAs,

60 gaze wistfully into his mothers face.
"SuAe, mother, 1 can't tell "a lie.'
Nothing more could be made OF any
OF them, 80 We marched them OF TO
the central office, where, after emitting
similar declaration. they were locked
up until we could get witnesses. A day
or two's investigation proved that the
pocket-knife had been taken from one
or the shearcrs In some mysterious
way, and that another OF the shear
ers, named John Reilly, but better
known as Black Shaun, had heard Phe-
lin say that they-meaning his mother,
sister and himself-did not mean to
leave the farm empty y-handed, and that
before leaving he had seen them stow
something like watch away In one OF
the bundles. Having brought in these
TWO witnesses, as we'll as the farmer
robbed, we had the case brought up at
the court for trial. All three prisoners
were placed at the bar. and charged
conformity with the theft, and as they
as strenuously as ever asserted their
innocence, the case went TO proof.
Black Shaun had a deal 10 say that
made matters looA>very black for the
prisoners. nor was his evidence to be
easily overturned for when any puz-
zling question was put to him, he took
refuge in a stupid grin, and the words.
sure don't know anything about
That. an i wouldn't wish them harm
for all the world"
Questioned more closely as to which
OF the prisoners he had seen put the
watch into the bundle, his evidence be-
came hazy and indefinite.
Faith. that's more than could tell:
| for they wor all sor' o. mixed up, and
l didn't think at the time o. them stall
ing, and | was hurrying past: but I'm
sure ! saw the shining white thing
among them"
It's black-hearted liar he is, savin'
| your hOnor's presence" cried Mrs.
ODonnel. He has a reason for wish
ing us Ill. as he wants the bit cabin at
home. that keeps me poor sick husband
| from the cowld and rain. And I'll prove
IL. yer honor. He tried TO throw the
blame ON poor Phelim, when the truth
IL that Pheim wasn't near me when
put up the bundles. and they wor that
tight tied that no one could have
slipped the things in after; more by to-
ken. they never were out OF our hands"
You have narrowed the question
considerably by this statement" sharp
| ~ observed the Sheriff. who sat on the
bench. after a moments thought.
You state that you alone tied up the
bundles: that they were SO tightly tied
| up that the things could not have been
| slipped in by an outsider: and lastly,
| which is most important. that the bum
| dies from that moment were never
| out or your joint possession. Yet, ac-
| cording TO the evidence already given.
\ the articles stolen were found not only
inside the bundles. but tightly wedged
4 into the centre Of n pair Of stockings
| Under these circumstances. ] think We
do not need to look far for the criminal.
1 We find you alone guilty of the theft.
| The children can be taken 10 the poor
house. or sent home TO their father; but
In the meantime YOU must suffer Inn
4 prisonment for
int .s..I - Sti
and looking round we saw Phelim. pale
as death, but with fearful eagerness
| shining out OF his eyes. motioning TO
the court TO allow him TO be heard
| "Oh. sur. would you let me spake n
| word.' he exclaimed. Don't send my
mother and the gireen TO jail. as
| they're innocent and know nothing
about H. confess il all. / tuck the
watch. somehow, and slipped IL into
! the bundle unknoNnst to them. think
ing-yes-that IL ud bring LOT OF
! money TO take home wild US 10 me father
| didn't know what I was doing at the
! time" he incoherently sirsued. with
| bright red spot on either side OF his
| cheeks that a moment before had been
| white az snow; but I want TO be pun
| ished ahd sent TO Jail for a dreadful
long time, IL you'll only send them away
home 10 my father wild the money
| they've earned My father. my fa-
| ping short and bursting into tears, "oh.
| what will my father say when he hears
| I'm thafe,"
His exclamation was echoed by a
| pitiable groan from the poor mother.
who was so overpowered that she had
TO be allowed TO sit down. The child
Aileen also burst out crying and the
| scene became so distressing that the
Sheriff. anxious evidently to get IL
| over. simply said
"Humph. he has begun young. Seven
days. Remove the prisoner and call the
next case"
| But 10 remove the prisoner was pre-
| cisely where the difficulty came in II
1 IL true that his mother made no oppo-
| siti0n. but sat there as still az IL she
! had Just been shot through the heart !;
| but the child Aileen threw herself into
Phelim's arms. and loudly declared
| that she~ wanted to go To prison. too.
| Then. as he got himself out OF her twin
] ing arms, he timidly touched his mo-
thers motionless figure with his hand
| u remind her that he was going and
| at the same time bent down and quick
| ly whispered
Sure. mother, keep up your heart.
| FOR only said II 10 gel you off. and let
| YOU 60 back TO my father. who'd die
| if YOU were sent 10 prison or transport
| ed. | won't be missed so much as the
| strong bread winner and mebbe I'll be
| forgiven for the lie, and sure can see
| that Black Shaun wants us all i'm pris-
on, and it'll be a vartue TO cheat him
| out OF it,"
The eyes OF the boy shining as they
! were with tears, looked 30 truthful and
beaming that the mothers apathy and
| despair vanished more quickly than
| they had oyerpowered her; and spring
Ing 10 her feet she joyfully cried 10 the
| sheriff:
4
"Oh, sur. stop moment. and don't
take the innocent gossoon to prison lie
| says he only said " TO get me and the
| girleen Off and back 10 his father: but
| / can't let him do that. and ruin him
| self for life. Oh. sur. n you've O heart.
| think OF the characters he'll meet with
| I'm Jail, who'll try 10 make him as
bad an themselves. and let him of
| though you take me IN his place. Troth.
| its light heart I'll suffer with. now
| that l know he didn't do H."
To this appeal, with all It's native
| eloquence and thrilling power, the
| sheriff could make no reply but a mo-
tion OF the head directing them to re-
move the convicted prisoner.