The weekly examiner., 1901-06-15

CT little gold heart on chain, to rear about her neck. She wore it un- Ter 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 If Mendoza, and she had cried her eyes >ut at the thought of her testimony hanging "El Senor Jim" who had been 70 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 a rich son-in-law, who would have support ed him in iGleness 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 furtively 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 xnew 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 we'll be pleaded, as there was not 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.
 "Joe," said he, Gin case I wanted to have little confab with Jim, and were to bring a 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 a white man gets hung for a. killin' of greaser. Next thing they'll be arrestin' us fer killin' coyotes. Yes, I'll let you in any time that you want"
 The lawyer walked slowly over to the courtroom. He espied the deject- 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?"
 ssNo. no," she exclaimed. ''I no want him hang-Senor Jim, he been good to mel like heem mucho heap. See?' She drew from about her neck little heart.
 ssDid you want to marry Rafe Men- aeza ?''
 'sNo, no. He too ole, en he all time drunk, en cuss, en he not nice--lak Senor Jim."
 .s'Wel, would you save Jim, if you could? If you could do so and not have your folks bother you?"
 "Si, senor, yes, yes-I no want to hurt him-I like Senor Jim."
 "All right, you just wait here, and when come after you, you follow me. 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 a few words explained to him. The jus 10I la sented. Back to the clerks office went the lawyer, and this time he came out with a piece of 1egal-1ooking 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.
 "Ca1l 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
 Inez came slowly down the aisle and seated herself. She was sworn, and the attorney commanded:
 "Tell the jury now, what you know about Jim Griggs murdering Rafe Mendoza" Inez looked appealingly at Jim's lawyer. He unfolded his long length from his chair and arose.
 "If the court please, we object to the witness testifying.''
 What ground?" snapped the district attorney.
 ssThere's no rule of law, common, c.izzil stat11te. that ma Ike wife