Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-19


a. want to when I hain't kissed the
Book"
what I want you to do" said Red
ding, his sharp eyes bent on the gaunt,
coatless witness, "is to clear my clients
reputation Of all the lies you have told
to-day"
you'd better tell a straight story,
Thad," smiled the solicitor. az you
will. I'll forgive you for the way you
took me in"
I'm willin' to tell all I know" con-
aented Williams. II don't want no
trouble. I've got wife and six children
TO support"
Williams was then put under oath,
and confessed that sgd had said that he
had shot himself while trying to hold
his horse in check, the animal being
thoroughly frightened by the firing.
Thad showed the court how his friend
had evidently tried to hold the reins and
revolver in the same hand, and how il
had been discharged by striking it's
hammer against the pummel Of the
saddle,
~ wouldn't a-tred to testify ag'in
Fanshaw," he added, "if sgd hadn't
axed me to revenge his death"
When the witness had sat down amid
a storm OF Kisses from the rear OF the
room and in the crowded hallway adj
| joining, the solicitor rose.
"Your honor" he began, "the state
has not shadow Of a case, and / want
to ask you to dismiss it. When think
| how near I came TO using my efforts
| towards the conviction OF one of the
most prominent young men in this
state-when think how near came to
being the tool Of the uuprincipled
scamp on my right feel, | say like
thanking God for my escape. want to
| be the first to congratulate Mr.. Fan
shaw, to beg his pardon with all my
heart and to wish him all success in
the legal profession. TO which, under
stand, he is brilliant candidate"
The house beloved with applause as
the solicitor crossed over and grasped
Ronalds hand A look Of dissatisfied
ton clouded Capt. Wrinkles face, and
Col. Hasbrooke, with an incxpicable
expression. was seen worming his way
towards the door through the now
standing crowd.
The sheriff, when the case had been
formally thrown out Of court. spranG
upon bench and pounded another with
his walking stick.
Boys" he beloved. 81 drv' Mr.. Fan.
shaw into town in my turnout. an
want the honor O. takin' i'm back the
same way"
Ronald, in the midst OF a surgng
throng eager 10 grasp his hand. looked
over their heads and nodded TO Ratciiff
When the crowd was thinning some
what he found Dave at his elbow. Dus,
had accumulated on the rough fellow.
checks, and through it were the damn
tracks of tears. The hand he gave hi
brother was cold and quivered.
81 don't want TO do anything 'thou'
consultin' you. Ron" he began. 80
thought I would ak you about That
Williams"
What about him." questioned Ron
aid. mystfied.
Dave drew him ont OF earshot Of tn,
others.
~ don't think ] can ever respect my
self" he said, with n gulp, "if don
call i'm TO accoun. for the way he
done you. Ron, I Nave got 10 fight in
thar hain't no two ways aboutit. Tn
armed. an so is he. If ] don't turn NJ
home tonight. tell EN-"
His brother laid both of his hands o:
his shoulders.
I'D rather you would not. Dave" h
said. This must END the whole thing
You must not put Yourself into the jai
from which have escaped"
Ron, I'd ruther die than let tina
triflin' skunk"
But Ronald would not listen to him
and in a few minutes persuaded him t.
drop his desire for revenge.