The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

shoulders and he came on at a sham
bling gait unwillingIy
No one spoke until he stood beside
the wagon. Then the leader of the reg
ulators, asked
--Whatd you run for"
Schurman stood silent From the box
of the wagon Lawton. who had remain
ed beside Anderson, answered the ques-
ton
I'll tell you what he ran for-be-
cause he ought to be standing here with
this moose about his neck: because be-
fore this trial is done he'll be sitting
in the prisoners box and Anderson II
be a free man"
u didn't mean TO do it. didn't want
to do it,"
Gradually he sobbed out a confession
He had QusrTeIed with his wife and in
a frenzy of rage had choked her to
death. The words were shaken out of
him by nervous sobs that made mis-
whole frame culver. lie ended with
groau. and threw himself forward on
his face
No word passed among the regulators.
They needed no signal. Four gathered
about Schurman, raised him, shrieking,
to the wagon bed. Lawton lifted the
moose from Anderson's neck. and hand
ed it to one Of them Then he sIipp ID
down from the wagon and through the
crowd.
1t was what he deserved, I know he
said TO Davidson later, but somehow I
couldn't stay and see it,
No ole noticed Tom as he stood watch
ing what was being done, or later as he
followed Lawton to the place where he
had tied the mare.
I'm not going back TO the house with
you he said. Let ne of at the cross
road, and III walk into town. must get
a story through to ST. Louis if I can.
The night editor Of the Gazette had
stepped into the telegraph room TO see
II any good stores" were coming. He
needed a scare head for the first page.
and the prospects we're not promising.
One Of the operators called over 10 the
telegraph editor just as he came in.
They're going 10 put Salem on here
for a 3,000-word story"
Three thousand Words" said the
night editor. I thought that murder
trial went upstairs an hour ago. Who's
a Salem ."
Davidson" replied the telegraph edi-
tor. Hes pretty sure man Must be
something broken out up there
Well, tell him TO start the story. and
Wen see how it reads, said the night
editor
1t starts off all right" he said. Bet
ter let it come. Put a scare head over 1t
If it pans out we'll, and tell the foreman
to start it on the last column of the first
page" Then he went back to his desk
and began reading proofs.
The sheriff came into court that morn
ing without his prisoner Five minutes
before the court convened. Anderson en-
tered escorted by two Of the farmers.
The prosecuting attorney addressed the
court
Your honor he said. i wish TO
withdraw the charge OF murder against
the defendant. and TO ask his acquitiaI.
Some unknown persons. taking the law
into their own hands. last night inflicted
punishment for this crime upon the chet
witness for the prosecution. after ha
had confessed his guilt I may add that
there is q witness. not vet summoned.
a coIored man. who saw the killing. and
who told Anderson what ne had seen as
he ran through the field coming from
Schuman's house. or the existence of
this witness nc one but the defendant
Anderson knew until two days ago or
the complexion OF the case might have
been changed"
Tom Davidson has two letters as
nementos of the Salem N Irder trial.
One is a letter from the editor OF the
Gazette" inclosing d check Tor 500 for
"a very brilliant piece of work" But
he prizes more highly the few words
laboriousIy worked out in pencil on a
bit OF wrapping paper, which brought %
him a message Of thanks from TIE man
who had stood before the regulators N
The Eight Of the far.ng torch on tina,
memorable aight. and quietly awaited
ne signal that was TO usher his soul
into eternity
(THE END.)