Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-06-23

| " about the grim incident OF theu jun
new. He had taken the seat beside the
! driver and presently he said, in a low
| tone; 'Drlver, who killed Indian George?
II didn't see nobody kill him." replied
Rock in a confidential tone.
"Of course, you didn't; but what do
YOU think? l think that man Yves, as
YOU call him, shot the Indian
| stranger" drawled Rock solemnly,
my lob is driving horses, not thinking
When a man forgets his job and goes to
thinking, trouble begins had my lesson.
! over on the Big Oak Flat road, coming
down Priests Hill with full load OF
/ tourists, got to thinking about something
that wasn't any Of my business, and In
stead Of making the turn l drove straight
of the road and landed the whole outfit
in the tops of a bunch Of bull pines In the
gulch. That's the place they call Grid
| ley's cut-off' to this day But don't let
| that discourage you. You keep right on
thinking; 'twon't disturb me bit
Gridley's manner was gravely respectful,
| and there was no hint of asperity in his
| tone. The passenger smiled, being man
| Of discernment and some humor, and re-
lapsed into thoughtful silence. The result
| Of his meditations was a resolve to stay
over a day at the little settlement at the
end of the days journey, and observe the
further development OF the case. He was
lawyer, and therefore interested.
AT the stage lHe
eager listeners to their story, and none
of the reticence which characterized Rock
Gridley, and the little community was soon
buzzing with the news that Yves Lee had
killed the notorious Indian vagabond,
Lame George. Not one OF the tourists had
ventured to make direct assertion that
Yves was responsible for the Indians
death, but the fact seemed to be taken
for granted by the gosslpers OF the hotel
porch.
After the departure OF the outgoing
stage in the morning there was q general
movement of the village population to-
ward the stage company's harness shop,
which was also the office OF the districts
sole representative OF the law, and up
holder OF the peace and dignity Of the
State OF California, Judge Bruce, who
exercised the functions Of coroner, notary,
and committing magistrate.
AS the Judge, decorously deliberate, left
the hotel to go down to his office, the in
terested tourist Joined him, and began
questioning him as to the methods Of pro-
cedure He learned that the inquiry
about to be held would be virtually an
inquest, but II cause for believing that
crime had been committed should ap-
pear, II would become a preliminary hear
ing Of the case against the person accused.
SO far It was all plain to the Eastern
lawyer, although II seemed to him a crude
now?' he asked in all simplicity
The which," said the judge in a pug
zled tone.
The homicide. the prisoner. don't
see him anywhere"
OH responded the Judge, as II light
had been thrown upon a dark subject.
You mean the man who killed the Indian!
He will be along pretty soon; he lives
quite few miles away, you know"
DO you mean to say he is at large?
Isn't he in jail or even under arrest?"
1t was the judges turn to be shocked,
and he obviously was when he turned an
amazed face to the tourist, and blurted
out: In jail! Put a man in Jail for
shooting a drunken Injunl Never heard
OF such thing in all my life No, sir,
Yves Lee isn't in jail, firstly because we
haven't any JAIL and don't need none; and
secondly, because that's him coming over
the bridge not more'n half an hour late
The big mountaineer's swinging stride
soon brought him into the group in front
of the harness shop. He had attired HIM
self In his store clothes" even TO neck
tie and boots. his hair and beard were
carefully combed, and his rudy cheeks
had distinctly soapy shine. The pre-
ternatural gravity of his countenance. as
sumed in recognition OF the official impor-
lance OF the occasion, lasted until his first
"Howdy." when It was shivered and scat
tered in ripples OF good nature even as
the placidity OF pool is broken by cast
stone
Yves Lee shook hands with everybody.
explained that the walk OF twelve miles
had consumed an extra half-hour, because
he had stopped to roll out OF the road a
half-ton boulder that had fallen near Alder
Greek, and proposed that all hands take
a drink before opening court. The Judge
stole furtive glance at the disappearing
countenance OF the tourist, and declined
with severe dignity.
When Yves and the others returned
from the store, the court was opened and
a coroner's jury selected by the Judge.
ROCK Gridley and the men who had
brought the body OF the Indian were
chosen. because. as the Judge explained.
they knew many OF the facts in the case
and that would save taking much testi
mony
The only witness called was Wesley Lee
lie told how Lame George and another
indian entered his cabin and demanded
whiskey, being already drunk and ugly.
now he refused, and they threatened him.
one with a pistol and the other with an
axe now he tried to get to the corner
Where MS rifle stood, and was assailed by
the Indian with the axe: how he closed
In and seized the fellow around the hodx,
and used him for a shield and missile ana
hurled both the Indians through the door
into the road Then Wesley's story be-
S.Ahic TRUE nazy. Inc Indian with the
pistol Inquired in it rather vaguely: but n
was clear that the mountaineer secured
ms rifle and followed the drunken red
skins out OF the cabin
me In1un with the six-shooter was
yelling and shooting" testified Wesley
ana the fellow with the axe. Lame
George, he was talking about coming hack
anu kllllng me some other time You
know them lnJuns, judge, and You know
Sneg re meanern pizen when they're
Lame George was sure bad. DRUM, or
SOBER said the Judge; but what this |
court wants to know is whether his dr,nL9
en- companion shot him while nourishing |
= pistol with malice aforethought and in
tent 10 do bodily harm, or whether Won |
him, Wes?" ''u Shoot
NOW l wouldn't want to swear that |
aIu, responded the witness meditativelv |
pulled up on him with my Wincbester
Dut was kinder hurried like. ana
snouldnt be surprised II l shot inst a |
eetle too far to the right. OF course I'm
sorry, Judge" N0u'se' IN
me court inquired II the Jury desired
% ask any questions or hear any mora avi-
renee The jury allowed that II had all
ne evidence necessary, agreed that Lame
Ieorse dead was an improved red man
lecided that nobody knew who killed bin,
,.u naNarued the guess that his compan-
ol was guilty being VIGOROUSLY a worth
H ss NaSabond. The formal verdict was
NAT pistol shot was the cause OF death
n