Cañon City record., 1903-01-01
AN ANCIENT EDICT
forignaLl

were fEI.- Gl-f.c .c.-1. - t---t c-3sfss s.- e
decided by combat, and 1t was IA long
while before the jury system came into
use. In those days punishment was
very disproportionate to the crime
During the reign OF King Edward ~.
OF England young girl Of Yorkshire
WIS wooed by two lovers. the one
a young farmer OF her own rank. the
other the proiiigate son OF wealthy
merchant Robert Dangerfield the
farmer. held the principal place In
Mnrtory's affections, but Tom Ricketts,.
the merchants son. being heir to great
prospective wealth. was Il rival to be
dreaded. Ricketts, was great riIsea'
and at first never intended TO marry
the girl. but MarJory WIS well able
to take care OF herself. and the young
scnpeErace soon discovered that he
could only have her. II at all. after II
legitimate wedding ceremony. As soon
as lie came unto this condition Mar
jory. possibly In order TO tantalize
hIm. declared that sSe intended. af,o
all, To wed Robert Dangeriield-
Ricketts, by this tiIne was madly in
love and ready to commit any crime
10 ealu tar Girl one dark night he
stole sheep from one of his fathers
tenants. carried II 10 the cottage of his
rival and u thered II TO the doorpost
Robert ayso.se In the morning and was
astonlshed 10 and the sheep. which
with the simple faith OF that day. be
considered gifi sent him from
heaven Tom Ricketts, told the owner
that he had seen his animal in posses
sion OF Danserfield. The young GARNER
was arrested and thrown into prison
on a charge OF sheep stealing. Then
Ricketts, roue to the home of MArjory
TO tell her the news:
'DnnGeriielj has been sheep stealing.
He il In prison and Will be tried and
hanged. Do not waste more time. Mar
gerry. IN listening 10 men Of low de
gree. Set the day for our wedding
We VIII travel and see foreign lands,
and when we return | viii build cas-
tie for you TO ike In
Now. Narlory was no fool She
knew that Ricketts, was in earnest.
but she d.sfrus.ed him Furthermore.
she had n will Of her own and usually
took the opposite side from sheer OBJ
stlnacy.
Il won't marry you. Tom Ricketts,"
she said. III you build twenty castles
| am going TO marry Robert Danger
eeld.-
You mean II Robert 10 not hanged"
II will marry him whether he IL
banged or not
Aarjory visited nangerneld In prison
and asked him what she could do to
ave him. Her hover bade her go to
Bleckstun. = famous lawyer of that
name and ssk him n he could suggest
any way out OF the diniculty. Bieck-
stun famiiiarized himself with the case.
then questioned Marjory.
You say that you love the accused?-
- said
~ do
-And via marry him If he is nc
qaitteiT-
-Ye<. and n he Ia hanged"
what! Marry him in prison on the
eve OF executiouy"
u viii marry him at the foot OF the
gaiiows--
The lawyer bade her 60 and tell the
prisoner that there was hope for him.
but that his escape from death. II at
all. would be by hairs breadth.
Dangerncld was tried but the law.
yer did not appear TO defend him. The
evidence against him was SO strong,
the sheep having been found tethered
to his door. that he was pronounce
guilty and sentenced TO be hanged.
He offered to decide the matter by
combat with Ricketts,. whom he sus-
pccted OF having brought the misfor-
tune upon him. but Ricketts, declined
a.. -, A.. .N...
owner OF the sheep.
The day OF the execution was holi-
day. as all such days were at that time,
though Dsngeriield's neirhbors We're
plunged In grief. FOR he was much re-
spected among them. and they did not
see why he should have stolen one
sheep when he was the posscssor OF
sevcral hundred. Marjory went with
him To the gallows. and. seeing Tom
Ricketts, by the way among the lockers
on. she gave him scowi of defiance
and hatred. ON arriving at the place
OF execution she east a glance over the
assembled multitude and was aston.
ished TO see among them the lawyer
Blecksfnn.
When ali WAS ready and the hang
mnn was about to adjust the moose.
Marjory cried out;
Il claim this man in marriage"
There was the silence of surprise
among the spectators, thcn further as.
tonishnlt,t, when Bleckstun arose from
his seal and said IN loud voice;
And | claim him as free man"
'Who are your" asked the sheriff
81 am Edmond Blcckstun.'
for all knew OF the wonderful legal
wisdom OF the renowned Bleckstun.
"on what ground do you claim the
nrison,rg-