Daily camera., 1901-07-13

that he could make that would excul-
pate the prisoner-not even tempo.
rary insanity. Self-defense could not
well be pleaded, Us there was not a
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, "in case / wanted to
have little confab with jim, and were
to bring couple Of other parties in. 1t
would be all right, wouldn't it? No
trouble-just n 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 white man gets hung for a.
KILN of greaser. Next thing they'll
be arrestin' us fer KILN coyotes. Yes,
I'll let you in any time that you want"
The lawyer walked slowly over to
the courtroom. He espied the defect
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?"
mo, no." she exclaimed. II no want
him hang-Senor Jim, he been good
to mel like heem mucho heap. SeeY
She drew from about her neck little
heart.
Did you want to marry Rafe Men
doza?"
"No, no. He too ole, en- he all time
drunk, en- cuss, en- he not nice-lak
Senor jim"
"Well, would you save Jim. II you
could? II you could do SO and not
have your folks bother you?"
Isl, senior, 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. "Wherc's Judge
Smith, the justice of the peace?" he
asl-a1 10 fn,tnI hn i'm ND in,
few words explained to him. The JUS
tees eyes twinkled, and he. too, as
scntcd. Back to the clerks Office went
the lawyer, and this time he came out
with piece Of legallooking 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.
Call 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 numbering Rafe
Mendoza" Inez looked appealingly ut
Jim's lawyer. He unfolded his long
length from his chair and arose.
IF the court please, we object to
Ihe witness testifying."
what ground?' snapped the district
attorney.
There's no rule of law, common,
civil or statute, that can make a wife
testify against her husband. The wit
ness is the wife of the prisoner"
This is trick" cried the district
attorney.
1T may be trick" grinned jim.
lawyer, but it's the trick that wins the
game. Here's the license, issued in
due form, and here's the certificate Of
Hon. Lumpkin Smith, justice of the
peace, who performed the ceremony
an hour ago. Imove for discha ye Of
the accused"
Motion sustained" said the judge
with alacrity. Enter the case as nolle
pressed, Mr.. Clerk"
That evening, under a safe escort of
cowboys to protect them from the
MeXicans. jim and his bride were safe
ly conducted to Los Cruces, where they
took the train back to the states. and
where they could live in peace and hap
piness on the old farm in faraway
Illinois.