Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1900-01-10
PROVIDENTIAL

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. a clean shaven upper
lip and a small goatee, which he
smothed meditatively as he stood like
a long-legged Colossus Of Rhodes, In
trousering OF very broad check pat
tern, surveying the pride Of the pro-
prietor's heart--namely, the hotel.
II 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 it in praise OF
your shanty that It reminds me Of my
stables in Connecticut. | suppose you
can give us 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"
We'll, ] guess ] 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
duh after Brisbane; isn't there any
theatres or places of amusement?
reckon / shall die Of dullness right
here"
The landlord. already under the dis
tinguished patronage of Viscount
Thurlton, became oily almost greasy,
In his manner. He explained that
there was no troupe at the theatre at
present, and the only 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 neighhorhood.
"Ahl that would be interesting,
said the stranger Il would like to see
that. Stuck up the coach, did he?"
well, they say he did, but he him
self swears that he is innocent, and
that he was in Brisbane at the time
the coach was stopped. II you would
care to hear the trial, sir, 1 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 OF
the bench, where he not only had Z
good view of the proceedings, but was
seen and known by everyone as the
friend OF Viscount Thurlton and ;
wealthy American who was going L
buy up the new digging township t
work it" as an ordinary man nigh
work a potato patch.
The prisoner was standing in thu
dock with his eys cast down, listenin:
in despair to the conclusive evidence
against him. Presidently he raises
his eyes at some direct question from
the Judge, and was about to speal
when his eyes fell upon the distin
guished stranger sitting on the bench
He paused and staggered. then grippe
at the air and fell senseless in tn
dock.
When at last he was brought roun
he stood up and, pointing at tn
stranger, gasped for breath and trie
to speak
what is It. my MANI" said tn
Judge STEADY yourself. l ask agar
have you anything to say in your ow
defence?"
"Oh, Your Honor" said the prison
er at last Il am saved-saved at tn
last moment. l have already said
was at Brisbane at the time of the rol
berry, and there is the man who ca
prove it,"
''All eyes followed the direction {
his finger and rested upon the stranj
er, who started. looked confused. the
lrritated, and finally bewildered as
he fancied the prisoner must be MAJ
If that gentleman will answer m
question" resumed the prisoner,
think / shall be able to prove to ever
one that / was in Brisbane at the tim
| said"
The stranger shifted in his seat ne
vously, and at last said in tones Of a
noyance and expostulation:
Your Honor, I've never to m
knowledge set eyes on the prison'
before, and l don't see how l can
up his innocence. Besides, l guess
didn't come here to be questioned |
every son Of gun that holds up
mail coach-I beg your pardon, Yol
Honor, but youll allow the annoyanl
Is considerable anyhow"
His Honor admitted it was, b
straightway appealed to the stranger
better feelings on behalf of the prise
err until he was somewhat mollifie
and remarked, WAL if he thinks il
straight wire, he can start in. and
answer his questions. I don't mil
taking him up on that.
The stranger was then sworn. al
as he stood in the witness box 4
prisoner addressed him.
Sir he said, "a man was runnil
for your hat in the street Of Brlsban
"a A