The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-08-15
PRICE OF FREEDOM.
ny MRS. N. L. RAYNE.

through his barred window, when WON
an walked init was Martina, Jim Flaek !
wife-and with one loving glance and
"bowdy" TO her husband threw a Loaf o.
bread on the table between the sheriff and
his companion.
The sheriff drew formidable knife from
the back of his leather belt and with two
sharp motions of the blade cut the Loaf into
three pieces.
ssNary file nor shootin' iron there, hi
said; never lett a dull spot on the blade
Mis- Flack, you're prime good baker
Give Jim this loaf, dep"
Martina turned her back on the two men
and like flash her eyes telegraphed some
thing to Jim, but his keen, handsome lace
pave not the slightest token OF response
The sheriff had his eye on him, and ht
wasn't going to give anything away: ID
was allowed to speak to his wife with the
two men watching and listening.
Flows the kids?" asked the prisoner
''Peart" Martina's eyes filled with tears
She was picturesque in her youth ana
strength, with her sunburned hair tumbline
about her round honest face. Her cheeks
plowed with exercise and the heat OF the
day. and there hung around her that lnde
Enable something that Is the religion OF
women wholove She looked at her jim with
longing and tears, but she could not talk
with those men listening Even desperadoes
have their moments Of delicacy, but this
sheriff and his deputy had none.
Don't whimper, little woman, SAID the
sheriff, rudely, there's as good tlsh IN the
sea as was ever caught. He-he
You'll spoil yer pretty eyes, Mis- Flack,
said the leering deputy.
jim Flack doubled his brawny fist and
there was murder in his heart as he heard
the men chatting his wife. True, he had
stolen horses, but that was his only crime,
and it had come about through his being
cheated in horse trade, and ne had stolen
to get even, not remembering that two
wrongs can never make a right. But he
would not have kicked an enemy when
he was down, and his reverence for women
and children was Unborn. He had hard work
now to control his temper, but at look OF
caution from his wife he managed to main
tain sullen silence.
EAT the middle of the loaf first" she
said. as she touched the bread, sit are slack
baked, as you like it, Jim
When she had gone Jim took that section
of the loaf and broke it in two. 1t was well
involved in quarrel over their game, other.
wise they would have heard something fall
from the prisoners hand and roll noislly
on the floor. 1t was $50 gold piece.
"She hev sold poor Jinny's colt, thought
Jim as he picked up the money. 1T hev
been baked inter the bread, an it means a
bribe-yes, it debut whether tor the sner.
if or dep-or-hold on--mebbe both. Hello.
1,e - . m bap M
sucker"
The crooked white letters on the gold
piece had been written with a creased stick
after method known in the civil war-just
a few words which, deciphered easily by
Jim, read:
"Jinny-Witches hill-to-night. dep
He understood. Martina would have jim
ny, the finest and heetest mare in all the
country round, at Witches hill, and he was
to bride the deputy to help him escape.
That mare was Martina sail she owned IN
the world-except the children-and it had
escaped confscation at the hands OF the
law by her proven right. Jim knew the sher-
if had personal dislike for him and could
not be bribed, but he had no fears of the
deputy. That officer would have bartered
his soul-had it been of commercial value
for 500 and had felt the jingle of many
bride in his uncean palm.
That night, covered by revolver in the
hand of the deputy, Jim walked out free
man. He had no intention of getting off
without paying over the money, but he had
no confidence in the man who was helping
him and was determined that he would not
pay the price until he was sure of freedom
He had promised the amount when they
reached Witches hill and had given no init
nation of being in possession of any money
Arrived at the hill. they found jimmy
there tied to tree. She wn1nnled with Joy
at the sight of Jim. There was no sign of
Martina or the children, and for this he was
very thankful, for he could not have stood
the parting. He must ride for his life far
away, and they must not know where, till
his escape blew over He commended her
good sense and vowed in his heart to live
straight life for her sake thereafter.
He had placed his hand on Jinny's bride,
when the deputy collared him.
"Pay up, man, pay up, or I'll save you
from hanging, right now and here. don't
risk my life for nothing Shell out and be
quick if you've got it.
He cooked his revolver just as Jim drew
out the gold piece. The next moment one
quick shot sent Jim Flack Keeling into the
dust, but it was not the deputy who fired
it. The sheriff had tracked the two men
to their rendezvous, and now put up his
gun and said:
"See eff that Jail breaker is dead and
done for!'
"He's dead enough" answered the dep.
uty, turning jim over and shaking with
fear.
"Then we'll bury him like soldier where
he fell, and he'll tell no tales. Much too
good for such carrion. Get to work"
They dug shallow grave and laid Jim
in it, The gold piece was made tributary
to military law-the sheriff took it. When
their work was finished the deputy waited
for orders.
''Take the mare and ride for your life, and
see that you go clear of the state-the far
Their you ride the safer you'll be. And don't
come back here till Ysend for you"
The going of the deputy made no stir, and
he never came back to tell what he knew
Martina lives in her little home and waits
for news of Jim. Her patient eyes have
Il L.. NJ xar1x,