The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-16

III time comes, answered the frsl
speaker.
-Ay. he'd best not have taken rs /
hand. Says he. when with the rest ol
& beaks be sentenced Tim aud JEFF,
The pouehing rascals shall be stopped.
if ! have TO do it single-handed
Well, he'll be single-handed tonight
anyways, for he's no groom wi him. So
he can try what he's good for wi three
0y MS. Ell. Jack II
Hen find it tough job, I'm think
ing.
is t wire right, Bobg7
Surely His mare steps high; but
I've lowed for it, and she'll catch beau
tifully. It's past Il now he Oughtn't 70
be long.
Hist. mate; there's wheels. Nov
fort Come on.
The three men went out quickly, and
Jim, following to the door, saw them
leap into the road and hide in the hedge
on the opposite side; then he stole down
10 the gate, out Of mere curiosity, to
watch what their game was In few
minutes the ring Of hoofs grew louder,
and a high-wheeled dog-cart spinning
round a corner came rapidly down the
lane. 1t was occupied by one figure
only, the red glow Of whose cigar
cleaned in the frosty air; and just as
the scent Of it reached Jim he saw the
horse suddenly pluge and stagger for
ward. The wire-snare had done its
work. the animal fell heavily, and the
driver thrown of his balance by the
shock, shot out INTO the snow. Before
he could rise the men were upon him
but somehow be managed 10 oshake them
clear and struggle to his feet. He faced
them boldly, aud met their rush with 3
right handler which sent one TO the
but the other two closed in upon
him.
Jim looked on with languid interest.
Evidently it was some magistrate way
laid by three men who had score TO
settle against him. 1t was no business
Of his anyway, and though three to one
was hardly fair he was not going to in
terfere. The gentleman fought we'll.
he was, and again sent an as
sailant backward with well-got-in
blow. But the odds were too heavy
and the cudgels told. He began to
stagger and give ground and a blow on
he head beat him down. "Give It
him, lads, 4 We swing fort, cried the
ailest Of the three villains, jump
ng upon him, mad and blind with
age.
A ray Of moonlight fell upon the up
uned face Of the fallen man; it was
hat Of the gentleman who five years
go had talked with Jim in the lane.
n an instant be was over the gate and
It the men like tiger-cat. and so sud
len was bis onset that they gave ground.
hen seeing he was alone they rushed
{ him with oaths and threats. Weak
rom want Of food and half dead with
old, poor Jim had never chance. For
few seconds he held up doggedly |
gainst the shower Of blows; then, feel |
ig he was done for, ste,ped suddenly. |
ing hi arms round the senseless !
quire, and with one last effort man
ged TO roll into the dee,i ditch, keep
lg himself uppermost. The brutes
lmped down and sirove to make him
lose his hold Of their victim; but
unned ard blinded with blood. be
ung fiercely to Hugh Boynton, shell
ring his body with his own.
The world began 10 spin round-an-
her and another heavy blow-a chim-
g Of far of bells--a hollow buzzing--
d then black night foreverl
Next morning they were found to-
'ther in the trampled, blood-smeared
tch-one living, the other dead.
Hugh Boynton often wonders, as he
oks at the white cross which he put
over nameless grave, who his pre-
ryer was. But the recording angel
II one day tell how Jim the Tramp.
e "out-aud-out bad lot. gave his life
: the man who once spoke kindly 10
NJ Chambers Journal