The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-09-28
I'm COIN TO SEE THAT THEIR PAPPY GETS
A SQUARE DEAL!


an these helpless little children are
the family Of that poor ragged feller
that IS locked up in the courthouse
over yonder. want every man Of you
who ever had mother or a sister or
q wife or daughter to look at these
poor, miserable, helpless, starvin' hu.
man bein's Men, the only hope an
strength that this little bundle Of rags
Is got in all this wide world is locked
up in that Jail over there, an you are
pantin' an yelpin' for his life!
Men, | don't know that man over
there in the Jail no more'n Adam; l
never saw him in my life till he came
up here today. l never saw bis wife
an' children till two hours ago, when I
found 'en down by the creek bank
cryin' an' waitin' for their pappy to
come home an bring 'em something to
eat. | brought 'em here an I'm goin'
to take care Of 'em! Ill tell you some
thing else I'm goin' to do; I'm goin'
to see that their pappy gets square
deal! There amt goin' to be 10 lynch.
In In Martinsburg tonight!'
Roberts voice reverberated in the
narrow streets and rang out upon the
night air as keen as the notes of a
bugle. AS he stopped talking to catch
short breath yell of approval went
up that echoed in the remotest parts
Of the village.
g The auctioneer saw the moment Of
his triumph, and his quick wit turned
1t to account.
Gentlemen" he shouted above the
roar Of voices. this woman an these
children are sick an starvin'. They
haven't got anything in the world but
their rags an that poor old boss. Now,
gentlemen, while talk I'm goin' to ask
the mayor an the county attorney to
pass among you with their hats an
give every one Of you chance to show
that the milk of human kindness is still
In your breasts
'sHurrah for Mart Roberts! Hip, hip,
hurrah"
fer once in his career Mart Roberts
could not hear himself talk, but he
talked on just the same. When the
noise had died away and the two off,
cials were passing the hat, Roberts
voice rang out again, louder, shriller.
sweeter than ever. Now he pleaded
with his audience, now he joked them,
| now he threatened and now he ex-
horted.
There's man Just dropped IN a dol
lar!" he exclaimed. "God bless you,
brother! That dollar has bought you
the brightest crown in heaven. When
you wear that crown down the glitter
In streets Of the New Jerusalem,
they'll surely take of their hats to you.
+, Oh, my friends, crowns in glory are for
sale here!'
The auctioneers iron gray hair was d.
sheveled, his face was aglow with perspi-
ration and his voice rose and fell in
sinxsong tune for all the world like that
OF a camp meeting shouter with the pow
er on him.
There were volleys Of frenzied applause
as Mart ratified on. He was hoarse and
almost exhausted. The mayor and the
county attorney dumped double hands full
Of silver In the woman's lap. The wagon
was driven away. while Roberts urged
the crowd to disperse. His crude elo-
ouence had its effect and in half an hour
Martinsburg had gone to sleep.
When Squire Riley opened court next
morning the halls and the stuffy little
courtroom were packed with people
James Darrow, the prisoner. was brought
in to be arraigned. Mart Roberts smii-
ing and bowling triumphantly. was a
the ragged mans side. Mrs. Darrow ant
her children were on bench In d corner.
The county attorney arose. looking very
solemn, and addressed the justice OF thu
peace He said: ''If 1t please the court
we desire to withdraw the complain
against this defendant. On examining
the books Of a matchmaker here we fint
that this watch found in the possession
Of this defendant was never the propert!
Of the late Henry Brumfield. There bein,
not tho slightest evidence against the de
fendant, the state asks that the case b
dismissed"
Mrs. Darrow sprang up with scream
and wrapped her arms around her hus
bands neck. She kissed his wrinkled, ye!
low face and said. 'Pappy. this is you
chill day."
In the cheering and the uproar that FOL
lowed Mart Roberts mounted tho squire
bench and. holding up the old silve
watch shouted:
. How much am offered to start it,"
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