The National tribune., 1902-01-23

over. his face. The old man began TO
plead in a most piteous, wheezy voice.
We can't; the court has granted US
all the continuances we are entitled to.
The old man dropped into a chair, with
his stout stick between his knees, and his
gray head bowed.
Are you ready for the plaintiff?' asked
the Judge.
Three important witnesses are not
here, your honor.
Were they subpOenacd:'
Two were"
Did you issue attachments for them at
the first calling?
NO. SIR
"Your time is passed, Mr.. Pettis; I'M
less the defendant consents, you must pro-
ceed to trial. This. case has been on the
docket for two or three years.
I'VE don't consent" declared Judge
Lucas I'VE are ready for trial"
There being some questions of fact to
be settled, jury was impanelicd, and
the case proceeded Mr.. PettIs. was an
able lawyer. and proceeded to. put for
ward the best cause he possibly c0uld. lie
introduced patent filled out in due form.
which had the appearance of age. The
date of it was u months prior to the date
on Mr.. McNair'S patent from the Gay-
ernlnent. He then -intrGduced the clerk
of the Land Office, who swore he had
custody of the records. He was new
man, who had only been in the Land Of
fee one year The old clerk was gone.
The entry, which stated that the section
of land in question had been entered and
fee paid by Peter A. La Boone one year
previous to the entry of Mr.. McNair. was
in the records whea he came into the cf-
flee.
The clerk, Smith. who was in the office
at the date of La Boome's entry, had dis
appeared, and could not be found. La
Boone vas put on the stand and swore
he was the plaintiff, and then in a wheezy,
trembling voice stated he had entered the
land ON the date in question, but had
failed to get his patent recorded. .-r-,.-
On cross=examination he got consideFa-
bly, tangled,
the defense began to put in their evi-
dence.
Mr.. Van Loon and Mr.. McNair were
sworn.s Mr.. McNair stated that he had
entered the land, and at the time of doing
so the clerk had informed him, it was
clear. z, He showed receipts for the money
paid for the Hand
Mrssyan Loon then took the stand.
Were you ever an assistant in the
Land Officer
Yes. sir
sWhen?n as
'In 1916, and in 1916"
This covered the date Of Mr., La
1bDp1lne = fSIbIDStu tue.
"Do. you know Peter 4. Ia .BoOmeT
asked Judge Lucas.
Yes sir.s'
.Did he approach you in August, 1871,
and offer to pay your way home to New
sYes, sir"
What were tile consideFatioHs2''.
THAT 1 should swear that certain rec
ords on the court were correct, and had
not been tamDered with"
'.Dtl he write the numbers
''YeS. sir"
rs this the paper?' handing him the
date of La Boome's pretended entry and
the numbers of Mr.. La Boome's land.
Yes, sir; this is the paper
The sensation in the court room was
lowed by La Boone leaping to his feet,
clenching his fist and yelling:
Its liei It's all lie"
''Sit down. MIR La Boone"
Mr.. Van Loon continued his damaging
testimony, by stating that the entry which
La Boone claimed for his land had been
made by himself: that La Boone had en-
tered Il section Of land; that he recorded
il III the book, and recognized that the
section, township and range numbers had
been erased and others substituted. which
Were the same as those of Mr.. McNairs.
He was asked 20 examine Mr.. La B0ome'S S
patent deed from the Government. and
pointed out a place where it had been
scorched in smoking it, and pronounced
it 4 forgery.
Exnerts were placed on the stand. who
confirmed the opinion Of Mr. Van Loon,
and the decision was quickly given for the
dcfcndant.
That evening a miserable old man tot
tered down the lumber-strewn leyec, sob
bing:
"Oh, my land, my beautiful land; it is
lost, lost. LOST
4 few days later some boatinen cor
delling their keel-boat up the swift river
saw an object floating in the eddy 1t
was fshed out and recognized as Peter
a. La Boone, the famous Land-Piratc.
II was a gIoriOus Jnnc morning when
George McNair saddled his favnrite horse
and prepared To set forth SO bring Eunice
home. There was no need To wait now,
for lie who had been menace 10 the hap
pinesS of the McNair family WAS TO more.
Whether in a iit Of rage and dSappoint-
ment he had committed suicide. or acci-
dentaly fallen into the stream. no one
ever knew: bat there We're many pioneers
who breathasl more easily when he was
gone. No man-dcvuurinG tiger Of the
JunelcS was more dreaded than the hated
laud-rirate, with smoked titles.
Eunice could now come home. The
glad news spread among the children.
black as well as white and there was
general rejoicing Many Il pickaninny
who had hut faint recollection Of the girl
clauTcd it's little black hands at the as
SUraucc she would once more come home
How far dn YOU have To 20. GeOrgeI
his mother asked. Us the son was making
his last prcrarations for the journey.
1t is about 10 miles, mother: nearer
than the other rlIcc. and more secure
from Indians. We will he home inside
rhc week, and then we'll have no more
truHhic."
Mr.. Van Loon and the younger chill
dren We're getting ready to 20 to school
for. now that they were secure against
further raids. the pioneer school was
again Orened. The School-maSter had
grown thinner. simmer and more cadav
eroHs. His prominent nose and chin auf
his thin lips all indicated suffering His
ewes We're strangely bright and nervous
though he was silent and sad.
Checrfulness seemed never 10 have beer
any part of tn" schnol-rnastcr Gloon
had ever been his portion. He seemed on,
born to sorrow and tears. His ambitions
and homes had ail been crushed. Tall
not of sorrow until you have known tn
agony Of ambition. He had started il
life with the faircst prospects. full of hon
and jov. The glad sunshine Of Spring
time bathed him in glory. and hope eve
hung at his ears. breathing SwcctrS
promises. He would be a great man
The world would acknowledge him as
favorite son. His path was Strewn witt
forest flowers. ard he was almost read
TO excaim, 81 want no Sweeter Heavel
than this when there UDreSp :: gray yul