The Van Buren press., 1903-08-08

and freedom and III put wings to MS
heels. My trusty revolver has ueen
taken. but would rather escape WIN
ont bloodshed will find place where
honest men are not accounted roSues'
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 ne
fairly swelled with official importance,
and puffed his cheeks until he resemDled
a cherub in their fatness
I'm here to arrest that hoss stealing
! Teller and take the crack roadster OF
/ Leonard & Co. back 10 EN-. Lord, what
nerve the thief had to unite that hoss 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
taken back to Joplin for trial-if he
lives TO get there and he winked at
the crowd that was gathering and in
creasing every minute.
Can you describe the man. asked
Lawyer Denison, stepping TO the 'front.'
Moo" said the deputy, but know
the hoss, and the feller that rode it is
the thief-he can't explain that away.
Wait a moment, my friend. You are
not Judge and jury in this case, and
have heard the prisoners story, that he
bought the horse from man who was
stranger TO him. He must be given
time to prove that Meanwhile, ca you
identify the horse?"
Yes, yes, fetch out the horse-he's 8
the evidence in this case. called ont 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 a bird,
That's him, an he's a beaut,"
bawled a loafer, who had not seen the
horse or its 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 a colt
"You are willing to swear that the
horse which is here is the same ami
MALI"
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. Eve 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 proportioned road
ster was a dingy brown instead OF a
bright bay He had not a white hair
in his coat, and the star in hi. 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 groomod 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 FOOLS errand am
| on, anyway? | 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 fred after him for luck
Andrew Denison's heart throbbed high
with dread and thanksgiying-hIs
namesake had escaped by very narrow
margin. A few weeks later he received
a letter from a distant state, II read;
Lawyer Denison; Your dislike Ci
lynching bees would have saved my life
even II my own devices had failed, Only
sure fool like that deputy would have
seen that the horse was doctored-a 1T
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 ruse, have sold the horse for a
goodly sum, which ! would gladly send
you. but dare not, My name is not and
never will be-Andrcw DenlsOn."
The lawyer tore the letter into shreds
and cast them to the winds Some.
thing tells me that have compounded
felony" he said to himself, "but even
so, better that than the death Of ono
criminal at the hands of Judge Lynch
But, what n roodly outside falsehood
hath Chicago Rccord-H Herald