The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-11-05

jestice the burned critter had the gall
10 tell me that he stole the things in
his sleep! You may remember that !
axed the Lord to have mercy ON his
soul and sentenced him to states pris-
on fur life. / thought l was big
enough to do it and that he orter be
made an example of, but tong comes
The supreme court and revarses my de-
eision and sends Jim back for new
trial. That's him over in lie box,
and he's lookin' jest a bit meaner
than when he left yere.
cit was my idea that Jim Hoke
mowed his gait as 4 court and that
whatever he said went, but I've dis
kivered that I'm only second fiddle.
Its surprise party on me, but, as l
said a little while ago. I'm goia' to
take back seat. Jim Watkins. you
car now stand up. I'm ordered to an
HuI your sentence and give yeu new:
txiaL The vardict is that YOU never
stole nuthin' tall, and the sentence is
that you go free. That's my way OF
gittin' back at the higher court, and il
they don't hike it my resignation is all
ready to hand in. Yes. Jim: you ar.
discharged from custody. but if was
you wouldn't so to braggin' and
stepsfn' high. On the contrary, I'd
took mighty humble and git out Of
town as soon as possible. While I'm
Jedge Hoke can't tech you. but as
soon as court is adjourned and be-
come Jim Hcke OF the Red Deg saloon
ag'in IN owe you one and pay it as
soon as can reach YOU.
We've got another case this morn
In, and, hayin' duly crawtished and
cleared the docket, FL give my atten-
ton to Jim White. He's sittin' over
we're on my right. He's the COM
plainant in this case, and he's tryin
his durndest to look like an abused
man. Over thar on my left side is One
Legged Pete. who's half greaser and
half American and one of the meanest
critters to be found fur 4 hundred
miles around Neither one of 'em is
wuth plantin' over six inches deep. and
arter the trial this court hopes to sec
the pair run outer town on gineral
principles.
"This we're court. as IS known 20
most of you, OWLS the Red Dog saloon
across the creek. 1t ar needless to
add that drinks, poker and various
other things ar dispensed over thar
fur cash, and the reputashun OF Red
Dog ar second to none in this woolly
west. Last night was busy time nj
the Red Dog. This court had to help
wait on the bar, chuck three men out
of doors and pop another, and when
midnight come he went to bed tired
out. He had just got to sleeD when a
critter gallops up on bronclho and
pounds ON the door and yells ehat he
wants jestiee.
"'Who is it? sez I.
"tJim White sez he.
"'What's she hullabaloo?
"'One Legged Pete has stole my
wife
.'Waal, go'n steal some other crit
ter's wife
Eyes, but dtNn his hide, he wanted
jestice, and he wouldn't be satisfied
till got up and agreed to hey One
Legged Pete arrested. He was arrest
ed this mornin', and thar he is. I've
talked with him, and I've talked with
the woman. and I've also had my nose
in the statoots fur an hour or more.
Now, then. fustiy. RS the woman went
away wiliin'ly with the prisoner he
didn't steal her; secondly, under the
statoets OF this territory a woman
amt property and can't be stole; third
". any critter heFin' such a humbly
wife as she ar orter be willin' to pay
$50 to hev her stole: fourthly.. Jim
White was right thar when his wife
Jumped On the lioss behind Pete and
r;s away. FIe had rifle beside him,