The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-11-27
AN ANCIENT EDICI



 were very curious At first eases were decided by combat and it was a long while before the jury system came into use. In those days punishment was very dlsproportlonate to the crime. During the reign of King Edward lV. Of England a young girl of Yorkshire was woOed by two lovers, tho one a young farmer of her own rank, the other the proHigate son of a wealthy merchant. Robert D0ngcracld, tho farmer. held the principal place in Mariory's affections. but Tom Rickotts, the merchants son. being heir to great prospective wealth. was rival to oe dreaded. Rlckctts was great rascal and at first never intended to marry the girl. but Murjory was well able Co take care of herself and the young scapegracc soon discovered thut Inc could only have her. If at an, after legitimate wedding ceremony. As soon as he came unto this condition Mar jory. possibly in order Co tonialize him, declared that she Intended after au. to wed Robert Dangerheld.
 Rlcketts by this time was modly In love and ready Co commit any crime Co gnln the girl One dark night De stole a sheep from one of his fathers tenants, carried it Co the cottage ot his rival and tcthcrcd it to the doorpost Robert awoke In the morning and was astonlshed Co find the sheep, which. with the simple faith of that day, he considered gift sent him from heaven. Tom Ricketts told thc owner that he had seen his animal in posses sion of Dangcrdeld The young farmer was arrested and thrown Into prison on a charge of sheep stealing. Then Ricketts rode Co the home of MorJory Co tell her the news:
 "Dangerdeld has been sheep stealing. He Is in prison and will be tried and hanged. Do not waste more time, Mar gery. in listening Co men of low de- gree. Set thc day for our wedding. We will travel and see foreign lands, and when we return l will build a cas- tle for you to live in.'
 Now, Marjory was no fool She knew that Rlckctts was in earnest but she dlstrusted hlm. Furthermore, she bad a win of her own and usually took the opposite side from sheer ob- stinacy.
 "I won't marry you. Tom Ricketts, ' she said, ''if you build twenty castles. [ am going to marry Robert Danger field"
 "You mean lf Robert Is not hanged
 "I will marry him whether he Is hanged or not"
 Mariory visited Dangcr1eld Iu prison and asked bun what she could do Co save him. Her lover badc her go Co Blcckstun. famous lawyer ol that uame. and ask him if hc could su-se, | uny way out of thc difficulty. Elyca stun famlliar'zcd himself with the case then questioned M1riory.
 "You say that you love the gceused' be said.
 "I do."
 And win marry him if ls Is oc- quilted"
 "Yes. and 1T hc Is hanged
 "What! Marry him n prison on Che eve of cXccuuouF'
 "I win marry him at Che foot of Che gallows."
 The lawyer badc her go and tell Che prisoner that there was hope for him. but that his escape from death, il at all would be by a hairs breadth.
 Dangerheld was tried. but thc law yer dld not appear to defend him. The evidence against him was so strong, the sheep having been found tcthcrcd to his door. that he was pronounced guilty and sentenced to be hanged He offered Co decide the matter by combat with Rlcketts. whom hc sus- pected of having brought thc misfor- tune upon him. but R.cketts declined on the ground that be was not the owner of the sheep.
 The day of the execution was holi- day. as an such days were ut that tmc though Dangerdeld's nc.ghbors were plunged In grief. for be was much re- spected among them, and they did not see why be should have stolen one sheep when he was the possessOr of several hundred. Marjory went with him to the gallows. and, seeing Tom Rlcketts by the way among Che lockers on. she gave him a scowl of defiance and hatred. On arriving at Che place Of execution she cast a glance over the assembled multitude and was aston lshed to see among them the lawyer Bleckstun.
 When all was ready and thc hang man was about to adjust Che moose, Marjory cried out:
 "I claim this man In marriage
 There was the silence of surprise among the spectators, then further os touishmcnt when Blcckstun arose from his seat and said Ina loud voice.
 And ! claim him os a free man..
 .'V,ho are yous" uS',rd ,hc slcr'G
 "I rm Edmond HIccss.uu."
 There was a huu iu ,Ic assembly, ..- aI knew of ihp wonderful legal
 .sIom Of Che r.uown,d Blcckstun.
 -9l what a-uJ-I GO you claim the
 Is1Gor;'
 .Ua.cr un cl'ct or a.e most gracious lal.sty EW- Edward " which com.
 ads that when a mau is t9 hc exc. utcd f-r crime if aIr woman shall de ......H H... ....rssfa.... H.s shall hH