River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-08-06

honest men are not accounted rogues,
and will write you from that point-re-
member, as a namesake, If not rela-
tive, / demand your protection"
Early the next morning a deputy
sheriff from Joplin put in an appear
ance. He was new to the Office, and he
fairly swelled with official Importance,
and pulled his cheeks until he resembled
a cberub in their fairness.
I'm here to arrest that boss stealing
Teller and take the crack roadster Of
Leonard & Co back to 'em. Lord, what
nerve the thief had to unite that boss in
its stall and ride off with him? In broad
daylight, too, and folks that seen him
thought he were takin' him out for air.
in. Here's my orders and credentials
TO get the animile and have the feller
lives to get there" and he winked at
the crowd that was gathering and in
creasing every minute.
"Can you describe the MANI" asked
Lawyer Denison, stepping to the front.
Moo" said the deputy, "but I know
the boss, and the Teller that rode it is
the thief-he can't explain that away"
wait moment, my friend. You are
not judge and jury in this case, and l
have heard the prisoners story, that he
bought the horse from man who was
a stranger to him. He must be given
time to prove that. Meanwhile. can you
identify the horse?"
eyes, yes, fetch out the horse-he's
the evidence in this case" called out an
authoritative voice from the crowd.
Read a description of the animal
first" commanded Lawyer Denison, in
cool, curt tones.
"Certes. Here it goes. a red bay,
black name and tail. white star in his
forehead-high stepper-gets over the
ground like bird"
That's him, an he's a beaut,"
bawled loafer, who had not seen the
horse or it's rider. The heart of Andrew
Denison sank within him. To gain time
he began to badger the deputy
"You are positive that your descrip-
ton of the stolen horse is correct?"
Sure. Got it from the owner, the
man that raised him from colt"
you are willing to swear that the
horse which is here is the same ami
maI?"
"Sure. That's what I'm here for
we've had pointers. Why, the star on
his forehead will be evidence enough
won't it?"
Bring out the horse" ordered the
lawyer, turning to the keeper of the
Jail. 1--WE will see if the identification
is complete. Keep back'-to the
threatening crowd, the prisoner has
not yet been proven guilty"
A murmur of admiration burst on
the air as the proudly stepping horse
was led forth, also howl of derision and
chagrin. The finely proportional road
ster was a dingy brown instead of
bright bay He had not a white hair
in his coat, and the star in his forehead
was not ever so family visible. His
name and tail were of the same uniform
pale brown, and he gave no evidence of
having been carefully groomed during
the season. His shape was good, and
there was speed in his apparent action
these were his best points.
"Well I'll be hanged" said the dep
uty, what kind of a FOOLS errand am
1 on, anyway? l never saw that horse
in Joplin or anywhere else. You can
give the stranger his nag for all me. I'm
takin' the next train home myself"
The prisoner was free. He did not de-
lay for thanks or parley, but, mounting
the waiting horse, was off like the wind.
A shot was fired after him for luck.
Andrew Denisons heart throbbed high
with dread and thanksgiving-hi
namesake had escaped by very narrow
margin. A few weeks later he received
a letter from distant state. 1t read:
Lawyer Denison: Your dislike of
lynching bees would have saved my life
even if my own devices had failed. Only
a sure fool like that deputy would have
seen that the horse was doctored-a lit
tie powder had changed bay to brown
and erased the telltale star. | feel GER
tain that you were mind reader enough
to know the truth and humane enough
to save me for relations sake. Pardon
the Tuse. 1 have sold the horse for a
goodly sum, which I would gladly send
you, but dare not. My name is not and
never will be-Andrew Denison."
The lawyer tore the letter into shreds
and cast them to the winds. Some
thing tells me that have compounded
a felony" he said to himself, "but even
so, better that than the death of one
criminal at the hands of Judge Lynch
But. what a goodly outside falsehood
hath' Chicago Record Herald.