Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1901-06-28
n The p
Prosecution
OF Mrs. Outlet

I was on a visit to my friend Dave
at his mountain home and was stand
Ing one day In the courtyard at Lexby,
the county town, discussing the posi-
bilities OF his reelection to the posi-
tion OF commemorative attorney when
down the street came at a long gallop
an old follow mounted on n thin. eve
necked sorrel colt whose long rusty
tail whipped between his legs at every
jump. Up to the courtyard gate he
clattercd and, dismountlng, flung the
rein over the post in utter disregard
of the large printed notice posted on
II that no horses were to be hitched
there. Through the turnstile and up
the walk he came swinging.
II believe that's old Outlet from
Jacksborough," said Dave. Hes a
man Of influence up there and dead
against me-always is. wonder what
he wantsY'
tie had not long TO wait, for the old
fellow strobe up TO a group and said,
"Whar's the commemorative attOr-
ney3"
Il am the man. said Dave. TWhat
can / do for you, Mr.. Dulletf"
~ wants you to put my wife In the
pen'tentiary," he said.
"Whatl' exclaimed Dave; then re-
covered himself. What do you want
that forT'
"She's forged my name, and she's
got to 60 to the peu'tentlary," said he.
"Well, tell me about It," said Dave,
seeing the gravity OF the situation, and.
turning, he led the way into his Office
and offered chairs.
"Well. it's this way: My oldest gal
Sairy is been a-wantin TO marry a fell
Ter named Torn Hackle for gwlne on
two years. and l wouldn't let her."
"WhyT" said Dave in a professional
tone. drawing a pen and paper toward
him.
"Cause Torm's on tother side"
said Outlet.
"Oh!' said Dave, writing down some
thing. go on"
"Well, l wouldn't let Torn come over
on our side. / sont him word eff he
did to look out. And Sairy she got
kind OF sick and peaked, and my old
woman she wanted me to do 1t then,
and / wouldn't, cause l had to sign
the docklment. Then she got kinder
wOrser, and my wife she wanted me to
60 for the doctor. SO day before yis-
tiddy | went down for the doctor, aud
he said he'd come today, and l staid
at Jim higgins store all night and
yistiddy a-waitin for him, and when ]
got home last night my wife she said,
PWhars the doctOrY And I said: He's
A-cOmln. HOw's SairyT And she said
She's lone got well. She's got all the
doctor she wanted. She's done married
Torn Hackle.' How did she done It,,
sys I, and ! amt signed the license?
says ]. 4 signed your name for IT,,
says she. And l said, You has done
commit n pen'tentiary o%ffense, and ]
kin put you in the p~en'tentiary for 1t,
says ]. And she bet me a dollar she
hadn't and ! couldn't. And l says, 4
bet you So l kin, and l WILL says /.
And now l are gwlne to do 1t. / kin
do It, can't II"
Dave reflected, while the old noun
talneer sat still, perfectly passive.
well" he said slowly, "there are not
a great many precedents." The old fel-
lows face hardened. "But, Of course
he added. forgery is a very serious
filing. and. ahE" The old fellows eye
was upon him. How long have you
been marriedY' he asked.
Twenty year come next month"
Dave wrote 1t down.
wife always been good wife 10
your
Amt got no fault to find wild her
all now. when she forged my name
an
Ever have any trouble with herr
Never at all. 'cept, Of course, fights
like all married folks has"
Dave wrote 1t down.
''IDdustriOusT"
Got no fault TO find wild her about
dat"
Help you save what you got?"
Amt a hard workiner, saviner
'oOman on the mountain"
How many children she got?"
"Nine-eight Twin. / don't count that
one"
rHow many deadT'
-Four"
Dave wrote laboriously.
wife good TO ear
jog as good as could be. Nursed
'em GaltbfuI."
"Slt up With 'em when they were
gickT
Never went 10 bed at al; never took
her clothes or
go bard WITH herr
Went Mighty ha.d. specially whep
Jobpny died. He was named after
ms."
Dave wrote silently.
go hard with your
fright sort o. bard"
Fsort Of lopesome after tbRt5v
"Mlgbiy lopesome,"
How old your youngest orc ROW.
r. wire op Q; that,e Billy"
Ford og bis mofherT
we7'l heaT her out Of bis sight