The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-06-27
tiger. Her eyes were ~ bright Is
stars, and large, and full of expression.

DralQeQ QOWn Qef Dack. She WAS
young, too, and she did not like to be
forced into marriage with Mendoza,
but her parents were insisting She
could not forget Jim, and his evident
admiration of her. She did not un-
derstand all he said to her, but she
understood enough to know that he
loved her, and the thought made her
very, very happy indeed. And when
Jim went to Los Cruces, he bought
her little gold heart on chain, to
wear about her neck. She wore it un-
der her dress-she was afraid to let
Rafe see it, or her father.
She had been threatened and brow
beaten by her father since the death
of Mendoza, and she had cried her eyes
out at the thought Of her testimony
hanging Gel Senior Jim," who had been
so good to her, and who got in trouble
on her account. But, then, the truth
was, she did not see Rafe with the
knife. He might have had it in his
hand as he started toward Jim, but
she did not see it.
The next day the courtroom was
crowded. Old Gonzales was there
with all his relatives and friends to
get his revenge for the loss of rich
son-in-law, who would have support
ed him in idleness the rest of his days.
Rafe had lots of friends, also, who
wanted to see the cursed gringo pun
ished. And Inez was there, also, her
eyes red with weeping. She sat in the
courtroom and glanced furtiyely at
Jim. Once their gaze met, and she
found no anger in the honest blue
eyes. Her own fell to the floor.
= Jim's lawyer noticed all this. He
knew that on the facts there was no
power to save Jim. The girl held his
life in her hands. There was no plea
that he could make that would excul-
pate the prisoner-not even tempo.
rary insanity. Self-defense could not
well be pleaded, as there was not a
scintilla of evidence to support it.
The minor cases were disposed of,
and the noon hour approached. Court
was adjourned until two O'Clock, and
it was announced that the case of the
state VS.. James Griggs, murder, would
be taken up. The sheriff led Jim to his
cell, and the gang of Mexicans filed out
to exult in the coming downfall of
the hated gringo. All except Inez-
she sat in the courtroom and refused
refreshment and repulsed her peoples
advances, alone in her sorrow:
Jim's lawyer walked over to the sher
ifs office. ...7s.. .
"Joe," said he, Gin case wanted to
have little confab with Jim, and were
to bring couple of other parties in, it
would be all right, wouldn't it? No
trouble-just little talk"
"Sure; yes. I'm mighty sorry for
Jim. It's bad case. This here coun-
try is mighty nigh gone to the devil
| when white man gets hung for "a
killin' of greaser. Next thing they'll
be arrestin' us fer KILN coyotes. Yes,
I'll let you in any time that you want"
The lawyer walked slowly over to
the courtroom. He espied the defect
ed little figure sitting in the far cor
ner, her head in her hands. He walked
softly to her.
"Inez," he said, "do you want Senor
Jim hanged?" -a
mo, no." she exclaimed. 81 no want
him hang-Senor Jim, he been good
to mel like heem mucho heap. See?
| She drew from about her neck little
| heart.
did you want to marry Rafe Men
doza?" ~ ..-.
"No, no. He too ole, en- he all time
drunk, en- cuss, en- he not nice-lak
Senior jim" a....s
"Well, would you save Jim, if you
could? If you could do so and not
have your folks bother you?''
Isl, senior, yes, yes-I no want to
hurt him-I like Senior jim"
"All right, you just wait here, and
when come after you, you follow me.
I will fix things so your folks won't
know about it, until it is too late"
The lawyer went, into the Office of
the clerk of the court. where's Judge
Smith, the justice of the peace?" he
asked. He found the justice, and in u
few words explained to him. The JUS
tees eyes twinkled, and he, too, as
sented. Back to the clerks Office went
the lawyer, and this time he came out
with piece of legal-looking paper in
his pocket, bearing the signature of
the clerk. He went upstairs and got
Inez-she came willingly. Together
the three made their way rapidly to
the Jail. The girls father and his
friends were in the shade of the court
| house on the other side.
Together they went in the Jail to
Jim's cell. A few minutes later they
emerged again, all their faces wreathed
in smiles.
Court reassembled, and the case of
the state VS.. Griggs was called. De-
fendant pleaded not guilty.
"Call the first witness for the
state" said the court.
"Inez Gonzales, Inez Gonzales, come
inter COURT" bawled the bailiff. The
prosecuting attorney settled himself
in his chair. There was breathless
silence. 144
Inez came slowly down the aisle and
seated herself She was sworn, and