The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-09-28

SQUARE DEALT
an these helpless little children are
the family of that poor ragged Teller
that Is locked up in the courthouse
over yOndcr. I want every man of you
who over had II mother or sister or
n wife or n daughter to look at these
poor. miserable. helpless. starvin' In.
man bcln'S. Men, the only hope an
strength that this little bundle Of rags
Is got in all this wide world is locked
mp In that Jail over there. an you are
pantin' an yclpin' for his life!
"Mcn. | don't know that man over
there in the Jail no mOrc'n Adam: |
never saw him in my life till he came
up here today. never saw his wife
an children till two hours ago, when
found 'Cm down by the creek bank
cryin an wntin' for their pappy to
come home an bring 'cm something to
eat. | brought 'em here, an I'm gOn'
to take care Of 'cm! I'll tell you some.
thing else I'm Goin' to do; I'm goin'
to see that their pappy gets II square
deal! There amt gOin' to he no lynch
in In Martinsburg tonight
Roberts voice rcvcrbcrated In the
narrow streets and rang out upon the
night air AZ keen as the notes of
buglc As he stopped talking to catch
n short breath n yell of approval went
up that echoed in the remOtest parts
of the village.
The auctloneer saw the moment of
his triumph. and his quick wit turned
II 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 l talk I'm gon' 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
"Hurrah for Mart Roberts! Hip, hip.
hurrah!"
The din of shouting was so loud that
for 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
clas were passing the hat, Roberts
voice rang out again, louder, shriler,
swceter than ever. Now he pleaded
with his audience, now he joked them,
now he threatened and now he OK
hortcd.
There's man Just dropped in 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 off their hats to you
oh, my friends. crowns in glory are for
sale here"
The auctionecrs iron gray hair Vas d.
sheveled, his face was aglow with perspl-
ration and his voice rose and fell in a
singsong tune for all the world like that
OF n camp meeting shouter with the pow.
err on him,
There were volleys OF frenZied applause
rs Mart ratified on. He was hoarsc and
almost exhausted. The mayor and the
county attorney dumped double hands full
OF silver in the womans lap, The wagon
was driven away. while Roberts urged
the CfOWu 10 OlSpefSe, Ills cruNe elO-
quence had its effect. and in half an hour
Martinsburg had gone to sleep.
When Squire Riley opened court next
morning tn halls and the stuffy little
courtroom were packed with people
James Darrow, the prisoner, was brought
In to be arraigned. Mart Roberts, smil-
Ing and bowling trumphantly, was at
the ragged mans side. Mrs. barrow and
her children We're on bench In corner.
The county attorney arose looking very
solemn, and addressed the justice of the
peace He said; IF 1t please the court
wo desire D withdraw the complaint
against this defendant On examining
the books of n matchmaker here we find
that this watch found I'm the possession
OF this defendant was never the property
OF the late Henry Brumheld. There being
not the slightest evidence against the de-
PENDANT, the state asks that the case DO
dismissed"
Mrs barrow sprang up with scream
and wrapped her arms around her hus-
bands neck. She kissed his wrinkled, yell
low face and said. "Pappy. this is your
chill day."
In the cheering and tho uproar that fol-
lowed Mart Roberts mounted the squires
bench and. holding up the old silver
watch. shouted:
How much am offered to start IT."