Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-06-14
PRICE OF FREEDOM.
ny rIRs. VI. L. nAYNE.

padlOcked cell in the board snduty, scafceI
good enough to pen a sheep in, but quite GOO
enough for a horse thief, and it held jim
Eiack. The sheriff and his deputy were play
ing poker, and Jim was watching then
Through his barred window, when a won
an walked init was Martina, Jim Flaek'
wife-and with one loving glance and
"nowdy" to her husband threw a loaf 0
bread on the table between the sheriff ant
his companion.
The sheriff drew a formidable knife from
the back Of his leather bells aud with two
sharp motions OF the blade Gus tae loaf inte
three pieces.
mary file nor shootin' iron there," b.
said; never lett a dull spot on tins blade
Mis- Flack, you're a prime good baker
Give Jim this loaf, dep"
Martina turned her back on the two men,
and like a fash her eyes telegraphed some
thing to jim, but his keen, handsome facs
gave not the slightest token Of response
The sheriff had his eye on him, and be
wasn't going to give anything away. He
was allowed to speak to his wife with the
two men watching and listening.
Flows the kids" asked the prisoner.
"Peart" Martina's eyes filed with tears.
She was picturesque in her youth and
strength, with her sunburned hair tumbfing
about her round, honest face. Her cheeks
g.owed with exercise and the heat Of the
day, and there hung around her that indie
Unable something that is the religion cs
women wholove. Shelooked at her } Jim with
longing and tears, but she could not talk
with those men listening. Even desperadoes
have their moments OF delieacy, but this
sheriff and MS deputy had none.
Don't whimper, little WOMAN, said the
sheriff, rudely, there az good lisa in the
sea as was ever caught. He-let"
You'll spoil yer pretty. eyes, Mis- Flack,"
said the leering deputy.
Jim Flaek 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 hrs being
cheated in a horse trade, and he had stolen
to get even, not remembering that two
wrongs can never make a rigat. Bot he
would not have kicked an enemy when
he was down, and his reverence for women
and children was inborn. He had hard work
now to control his temper. but at a look OF
caution from his wife he managed to main.
tam a sullen silence.
Eat the middle OF the loaf first" she
said, as she touched the bread, 1T are slack
baked, as you like it, Jim
" hen she had gone Jim took that section
of the loaf and broke it in two. 1t was well
the sheriff and his companion had become
involved in q quarrel over their game, other
wise they would rave heard something fall
from tie prisoners naul and roll noisily
on the floor. 1t was a so gold piece.
she bev sold poor Jmny's colt, > thought
Jim as he picked up the money. 1T hev
hepn baked inter the bread, an it means o
bribe-yes, it debut whether for the sher-
if or dep-or-hold on--mebbe both. Hellot
ii she amt writ somethin' on it then I'm q
sucker
The crooked white letters on the gold
piece had been written with a creased stick
after a method known in the ciyil war-just
a few words which, deciphered easily by
Jim. read:
"Jinny-Wi,c hes hill-to-night. dep"
lie understood. Martina would have lin-
ny, the finest and feetest mare in all the
country round. at Witches hill. and he was
to bride the deputy to help him escape.
That mare was Martina s-al she owned in
the ~world-eyeept the children-and it had
escaped coniseation at the hands Of the
ldN AN ftl HtbhSt tNEAts NiNA htttM ING NtIEl
iii Aai a personal dislike Tor him and could
not be bribed. but he had no fears of the
deputy. That officer would have hdrtered
his soul-hod it been of commercial value
for so and had felt the jingle OF many a
bride in his %uuclean palm.
That night. covered by a revolver in the
hand Of the deputy. Jim walked out a free
man. lie had no intention Of getting off
without paving over the money, but he rad
no confidence IN the man who was helping
Kim and was determined that he would not
pay the price until he was sure of freedom.
He mad promised the amount when they
reached Witches hill and mad given no init
nation OF being in possession OF any money
Arrived at the hill, they found jimmy
there ned 90 n tree. She whinnied with JOY
al tine sight Of Jim. There was no sign OF
Martina or { children, and for this he was
very thankful. for he could not have stood
the parting. Tie must ride for his life far
away, and 5 Cy must not know where, til
his escape lew over. He commended her
good sense and vowed in his heart to live a
strai glt life Tor her sake thereafter.
He had placed his hand on Jnny's bride,
Wien the deputy collared him.
PAY up, man. pay up, or III save you
from d hanging. rgNt now ana lere. lion I
risk my life for nothing. Saell out and be
quic, ii you've got 1t.
He cooked his revolver just as Jim drew
out the gold piece. The next moment on'
quick shot sent Jim Flack Keeling into tn,
dust, but it was not the deputy who free
it. The sheriff had tracked the two mer
to their rendezvous, and now put up hi
gun and said;
See ef that Jail breaker is dead an,
done for!'
Hes dead enough" answered the DEP
uty, turning Jim over and shaking Wit.
fear.
Chen wen bury him like a soldier wher
he fell, and he'll tell no tales. Much 10
good for such c%arrion. Get to work
They dug a shallow grave and laid JI
in it. The gold piece wa, made tributar
to military law-tle sheriff took H.. Vie
their work was finished the deputy waite
for orders.
Take the mare and ride for your life. an
see that YOU 20 clear OF the state-the Ia
Their you ride the safer you'll he. And don
come back here till | send for you
The going of the deputy made no stir. an