Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-11-21

I
hanging "El Senior jim" who Lad beer
so good to her, and WHO got in trouble
on her account. But, then. the truth
was, she did not see Kafe with th'
knife. He might have had it in hi
hand as he started toward Jim, bu
she did not see II.
The next day the courtroom wni
crowded. Old Gonzales was ther'
with all his relatives and friends t'
get his revenge for the loss of rici
son-in-law who would have support
ed him In idleness the rest Of his days
Rafe had lots of friends, also, wb'
wanted to see the cursed gringo pun
ished. And lnez was there, also, hel
eyes red with weeping. She sat in th'
courtroom and glanced furtively q
Jim. Once their gaze met. and sh'
found no anger in the honest biu'
eyes. Her own fell TO the floor.
Jim's lawyer noticed all this. III
knew that on the facts there was NJ
power TO save Jim. The girl held hi
life in her hands. There was no plei
that he could make that would excul
pate the prisoner-not even tempo
rary insanity. Self-defense could no
well be pleaded. as there was not +:
sclntilla OF evidence to support II.
The minor cases were disposed Of
and the noon hour approached Cour
was adjourned until two o'clock, anc
IL was announced that the case Of th'
state vs. James Griggs, murder, woulC
be taken up. The sheriff led Jim to hi,
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.
Joe" said he, "in case wanted 10
have little confab with Jim, and were
to bring a couple Of other parties in, II
would be all right, wouldn't III Nc
trouble-just little talk"
"Sure; yes. I'm mighty sorry for
Jim. It's bad case. This here coun-
try is mighty nigh gone 20 the devil
when n white man gets hung for a.
KILN Of n greaser. Next thing they'll
be nrrestin' us fer KILN coyotes. Yes,
I'll let you In any time TINT 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.
"Ines." he said, do you want senor
Jim hangedT"
mo, no." she exclaimed. "I no want
him hang-Senor jim, he been good
to mel Ike heem mucho heap. See2"
She drew from about her neck little
heart.
did you want to marry Rafe Men.
doza?"
mo. no. He too ole. en- he all time
drunk, en- ouss. en- he not nice-lak
Senior jim"
well. would you save Jim. n you
could2 II you could do 30 and not
have your folks bother you2"
"si, senior. yes, yes-I no want TO
hurt him-I like Senior jim"
"All right, you just wait here, and
when l come after you, you follow me.
| will AZ things so your folks won't
know about II. until II 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 n 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 InRde 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
,tate." said the court.
liner Gonzales, Inez Gonzales, come
inter courtl" bawled the bailiff. The
attorney settled himself
IN his chair. There was u breathless
silence.
ineE came slowly down the aisle and
'eated herself She was sworn, and
he attorney commanded:
"rell the jury now. what you know
bout Jim Griggs numbering Rafe
Mendoza" lneL looked appealingly at
Inns lawyer. He unfoldcd his long
ength from hls chair and arose
III the court please. we object 10
he witness testifying."
What groundP" snapped the district
attorney.
There's no rule OF law, common,
ivil or statute. that can make a wife
estify against her husband The wit
less is the wife OF the prisoner"
This is trick" cried the district
'ttorney.
ut may be trick" grinned Jim's
nwycr, but it's the trick that wins the
anne. Here's the license. issued In
ne form, and here's the certificate OF
Ion. Lumpkin Smith. justice OF the
eace, who performed the ceremony
n hour age. Imove for a discharge of
he accused"
Motion sustained" said the Judge
tth alacrtty. Enter the case as nolle
rossed, Mr.. Clerk"
That evening, under safe escort oi
owboys to protect them from the
leNicans, Jim and his bride were safe
conducted TO Los Cruces, where they
'ok the train back 60 the states, and
here they could live In peace aud hap
mess ON the old farm in tnraway
linois -
There Is a Class of People.