The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-08
BEFORE THE SQUIRE.
BY rRANK H srAuTFER.

desk. lie WAS cACucdDlc lOI rittplHS.
He was we'll advanced in life, the day
was hot one, and he had tired his
brain in an effort to untangle the ac-
counts Of the Township Assessor
sHallo Squire, some one said.
"Hallo, yourself, cried the Squire,
fiinging up his head, rubbing his eyes,
and adjusting his glasses.
His visitor was asturdy, br0wn-faced
girl Of IA, with fluffy, black hair,
bright eyes, and a res0lute mouth.
She was very self-cOntaineG in her
manner and while there was no re-
sentiment in her composition, it was
evident that she was one who would
stand up for her rights
"What do you want?" asked the
Squire.
''Law," was the crisp reply where
upon the Squire struggled to repress a
smile.
81 want my pony" the girl added.
"Your pony.n repeated the Squire.
II haven't got your pony Why do
you come to me?"
"YOu're the Squire, are you not?'
the girl asked. my pony was stolen
last fall The gypsies have her in
their camp at Cove Creek. ] saw her
there this morning"
Squire Barlow suddenly became
interested in the face, voice, and posi-
tive ways Of his young visitor.
s'What is your name2' he asked.
"Rosie Watson, sir, she said.
30, you are the blacksmith's
daughter, observed the Squire.
Eyes, / remember you now. We'll,
why didn't your father Gomez"
ut is my pony" the girl said.
"And mY-my-c
Eyes, admitted the Squire. He
laughed softly to himself, spread out
his onicial docket, and made few
entries. "You saw your pony this
morning." he asked.
'sYes, sir At Cove Creek, by the
covered bridge, just outside the gypsy
camp. She was grazing on the banks
of the stream, stated Rosie
"POnies may look very much alike, .
suggested the Squire.
'sAh, but I'd know Dollie among a
thousand ponies, - declared Rosie, her
brown face aglow "Shes dark
bay, with black points, a star on her
forehead, white fetlocks, and a faint
dash Of white on her breast"
The Squire was busy writing. lie
stopped and read aloud to her the
complaint and the description.
"Can you add anything?" asked
Rosie.
"Why, Of course, little dear" re-
piled the Squire, in his farherly way.
"Then add" suggested Rosie,
"that the pony is ten hands high"
That was promptly interlined, and
then the Squire gravely asked: "R0sie
can You swear that you know the
pony to be yours, and that you be-
lieye the gypsies have her2"
eyes, sir, can;" Rosie said de-
terminedly, and without a moments
hesitation.
'gTake this book, the Squire said.
cit is the Holy Bible Suppose you
swore TO what is not true?"
II would be aperiurcr " was Rosie's
answer.
s.And what would be the conse-
quence?n
"My soul would be lost unless God
f0rgave me the dreadful sin"
'Yes, child,n the Squire said, with
moistened eyes "YOu seem to know
what you are about"
He administered the oath, and
then said, ''Kiss the book"
She looked at him with wonder
ing glance. and then pressed her lips
to the book in an awed, reyerential
manner
s'What will it cost9" she asked, in
her matter-of-fact way.
Don't bother your head about the
cost, the Squire said. "Wait a bit, "
he added, seeing that she was about
to 90. He hurriedly filed up a blank
summons, folded it, handed it to her
and said: Il suppose you know
where Constable Finn lives?"
20, yes, 2 replied Rosie.
Take that to him at once, the
Squire said. "It is a warrant for the
head Gypsys arrest The hearing
will be held at o'clock this after
noon. As YOU are the complainant
YOU must be present at that hour. "
The time and circumstances Of the
hearing were noised about the village,
and when o'clock came, the Squire's
Office was crowded. The Gypsy sat
on a rough bench, with an unl.ghted
clay pipe ID his mouth. lie was
dirty unshayen. sullen-lo0king He
did not wear a vest. and his corduroy
breeches were fastened at the waist
By a greasy leathern belt. behin0
which the haftof q knife was visible
s.The plaintiff here. this little girl,
claims that y0u have a pony which
belongs TO her. Squire Barlor said,
bis eyes on the GYPSY who replied.
ssShe hasn't ans claim on IT, 1T Is
mine"
"Where did FCu get the ponys
asked the Squire.