The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-09-17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MI. i,aWhon I'M was weary from
vigorous shaking, his back was sore
from repeated slaps. his neck was
chafed by the collar to which 1t had
long been stranger. but his state of
mind was one of most excellent salts
faction.
A man who has been sentenced to
twenty years of hard labor In the pen
itentiary and who comes forth free
and In the full possession of his health
at the end of Ave is certainly entitled
to some felieitation. That was pre-
cisely what had happened to Mr., Daw-
son. He had killed his man under
what appeared cold blooded circum-
stances to an intelligent jury. He had
pleaded self defense conventionally,
but the testimony was such that there
seemed no doubt of his guilt True,
there had been no eyewitnesses TO
tho slaughter. Those who testified
merely told of threats he had made, OF
his bad reputation. of the peaceable
character Of his victim. The defense
had called no witnesses.
"'Tnin't worth WHILE" Mr.. Dawson
had said to his attorney. "'Twould do
more harm than good for any of me
friends to testify to the gentleness of
me disposition. Snapper Grlflind have
had me dead In another wink II
hadn't jerked the trigger when l did,
and that's straight. He begun the
trouble and kept pushin' II on, while
tried me levelest to reason with him.
He'd been dopln' with somethin', |
think, but he didn't wigglc "A wlggle
when he pointed his gun. He was
himself MI right, and there's some
comfort In KNOWN IT, for Id hate like
blazes to feel that the only man l ever
killed wasn't responsible for himself,
Eve got Il mighty tender conscience,
whether you know II or not, and It's
perfectly comfortable now. I'll take
whatever the court gives me, and !
won't whimper II whimper."
The first night he slept In the peni-
Tertiary his attorney was delivering In
the leyee district message TO his
friends. "lIump yourselves TO get Van
Altren elected governor" was the bur
den OF 1t. The levco gang did not
know exactly what to think. but they
were sufficiently well acquainted with
Mr.. Dawson TO accept the instructions
In good faith.
Mr.. Dawson's message was entirely
responsible for their action, To the
contrary, 1t was only an important
drop In II tolerably large tub of politi-
anl ctt1a tihnip apnHtdnta haH
done them dirt'-quite by chance,
certainly not by intention. lie had al.
lied himself In moment of mistaken
wisdom with the Prohibitionists. They
were engaged ~ hesitatinG and grum
bling and scowling when Mr.. Daw
sons message came. throwing the bal
anec over TO the Van Altren side. Side
wheel Dawson never did anything
without good reason, but what hi
reason was In this particular instance
they could not conjecture. They were
still In the dark on the day when Mr.
Dawson Unexpectedly and triumphant
ly returned.
Say" said he after the first wave
of welcome had passed and he was sit
ting .fortably In the rear room at
Muggsy Kcllys place with II number
of old and tried associates about him,
I'm OWN you boys lot for the way
you helped old Van to tho puddln'. l
was n bit leary you wouldn't get next
to what | was up to, but 1t didn't cost
nothn' to try"
1--WE didn't get next; we amt next
yet" candidly observed Mr.. Kelly. as
Van n particler friend of yours"
Mr.. Dawson smiled NO" he re.
Piled, "but he's got reason for belicvln'
me when | tell him l shot Snapper
Griffin cause Snapper Griffin was dead
set on giyin' mo the long trip and for
no other reason"
eve believe that" said Mr. Kelly.
1--WE knowed your story was true, but
we couldn't do nothIn'"
Course you couldn't. If any of you
Ind stuck your mugs into the game,
I'd have been queered TO the limit
gle, and then Van couldn't have
reached me even If his gratitude was
twice as long"
"Thcn Van was OWN you some
thin" Mr.. Kelly and the others look
cd at Mr.. Dawson with common ex-
preston of curiosity and admiration
mingled. you've got us In the air,
Sidewheel. Take us down or we'll
bust"
Mr.. Dawson laughed this time and
rubbed his hands together. Sure, I'll
take you down." he said. "'Twon't
take me long to do 1t either Muggsy,
do you remember little job we had
Bayside when
when you was out all night and got
nothin' but pair of red eyes and n
TT of sickness and stink of gas" Mr..
Kelly put IN. Eyes, / remember | al
most lost me faith in you that time"
"Yesp Mr.. Dawson chuckled I'm.
moderately. II was to divvy what l
got from the place-that dead easy
place with the open cellar windows
you spotted one Sunday afternoon
when you was strolling home from
church. was to divvy, and l got
nothin' but He suddenly assumed
n reflective attitude. his hand upon his
smoothly shaven chin, his gaze upon
the ceiling.
But whatY Mr.. Kelly spoke with
the sharpness OF long starved and
desperate lnqulsItlyeness.
"But-gratitude. 1t was the rummi-
est go of me life. followed the lay
just as you'd give 1t to me. l went
through the first floor first, gatherln'
up stuff worth maybe tenner of hun
dreds. II I'd quit right there, I'd
well, I'd be lookin' forward to fifteen
more years of it stead of bein' here
with me future before me bright as
paste. But everything was so nice and
quiet just says to meself IN tour
the next floor So piles me stuff by
the grand exit. where | can pick 1t up
when | strolls out, and climbs the
stairs.
"And the first thing | know I'm tax
In part In high life tragedy drama,
'Twasn't no supe part either; twas the
role Of the hero that drops IN when
he's least expected. and saves the whole
cheese. I opens the first door comes