The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-21

instead of standin' back like another an
leavin' things to come right what must I
do but take pity on Ned's face an his
youth, step forward to his side an take
his part an challenge Micky meself. l
was a fool" said Phil, ninging out
hand; but
There came a sound from the further
corner, and turning quickly we had sight
of Ned Brady leaning toward US, hand
on each knee, mouth open, and wonder
staring from his eyes, Like that he may
have been sitting for long enough, lis
tening and gaping; now he shuf1ed along
the seat, stopped and spoke.
Phil" said he, his voice shrill and
piteous Tin Gods name what are We
doin'? Is it." i
"Ah, go back to your place." answered
Cara, with a scowL Back, We fool!'
But. PHIL say. Phil! Would ye-'
go back, l say!
But, Phil
With an oath Cara rose, took Ned by
the shoulders and shot him back into the
corner, stopped over him and whispered
in his ear, came back and sat down be-
fore me. Bending forward, while Ned
watched and listened eagerly, Phil hur-
riedly went on:
AT first Micky wouldn't fight He had
no quarrel with me- he said. 1t, was
Ned THAI had insulted him, said-s he
twas Ned he'd fight. For answer
stripped him to the waist, stepped out
upon the floor, an give Micky's face the
back o. me hand. That reused him. The
ring closed in. Hammer an tongs we
fell to wi naked fists. At first Micky
had the best of matters, wi his long arms
an big weight. once he sent me sprawlin
across a chair; another time he just miss
ed blow at me chin that d ha broke me
neck. But he was sofa an 1 was hard,
he had strength an 1 had science; so, in
while, he tagged an l freshened. an
he was at me mercy. l toyed WI him,
an JlDed him; l tapped him here an
there, an laughed in his face; l led him
on till his guard got low, an his breath
came short an he lost his temper-then,
seem me chance, stepped in like a flash,
took him blow on the chin like the kick
of horse, an measured his six feet upon
the floor Boys, the clatter he
came down! Man, the hubbub was there!
Stretched out he lay as pale as a sheet,
wi blood on his lips. an not a breath in
his body. He's dead shouts this one.
He's murdered says that. Catch him.
says the rest, till we have his life. An
wi, that lifts coat an waistcoat, shouts
to Ned; then out into the dark an away.
An for an hour we ran, an for hours
we lay in a ditch; at last, towards
morning"
Just there Phil stopped. crashed through
the window: turned quickly and waved
a hand at Ned. Here's Larah," said he;
and to me, There's little more, but III
finish when we're started again."
l nodded. Ned gathered into his cor
ner. Phil crouched low In his. The
whistle shrieked. the brakes began grind
ing, slowly the train drew up. and there
upon Larah platform stood two policemen
by the doorway, whilst along it, from
I arrfa to tuvn fall. I'D
a sergeant with drawn slaves.
Then / looked at Phil They're COM
ing" said /.
"Who?"
THE police"
ALI" He sat upright, his face blanch-
ing and Tightening, made sudden dash
toward the father door; then, at sight of
black figures on the siding beyond, turn
ed and let fall his hands. Trapped" said
he; trapped, by God!'
He looked down upon Ned and upon his
horror stricken face. They're here"
said he; come. bear it like man. It'll
soon be over, an you needn't fear, any
way" He took Ned by an army, dragged
him across the carriage, dropped him on
the seat before me, and took his place in
the corner. Hold up he said, giving
Ned-that poor misery of a Ned-a shake
BE a man for once; be a man." He
looked al me- a emile tightening his face.
IAN up" said he II can't finish; but
youll see the rest in the paper. Good by
to ye." He laughed, turned as figures
darkened the windows. Jaw good morn
in to We. sergeant. Come, Ned boy. we're
wanted" And quick came the slick of
handouts.
Some weeks afterward / found the fin
ish of Pills story in the newspapers. AL
so / found details there which Phil had
omitted, and some which he had distorted.
Up to a certain point his story 10 me
kept sight of facts; afterward II entered
the region Of fancy. 1t was Phil himself
who had ben acucsed OF cheating: II was
on his own behalf he had fought: II was
when matters were going hopelessly with
him, at the hands OF Mlcky and Wig. that
Ned had striyen TO help him, had clutch
ed Micky's arms and tried 10 restrain
him. had unwitungiy held Micky tight
whilst Phil got home with that murder
Gus knife
Happily the wound was not mortal: 70
Phil lost his freedom for only three years;
and because OF hls youth and innocence
and VI some generous evidence rendered
by Phil on his behalf, Ned was admon-
ished ana set free.