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

| wen, Colonel Brumticlu says mat
watch belonged TO his boy. who was
killed by a thief"
| Good hGavcns" monncd the prison.
: er. Here. listen 20 me. I'm a stran.
! ger, AN | don't know soul in the
town I'm trnvclin' from Illinoy to
Kansas My wife an children are
down thar on the creek bank in wug.
ON shakin' to death with the ngcr.
This here's all mistake, friend"
"Whcrc IL your wife an children att"
asked the nuctiOnccr.
"Down thar by the ford on the creek
down thar starvin' to death, man.
An their pnppy locked up in this hole
for murderer! Great goodness! I
don't kCcr for myself but poor Lily
an the babies
"DOn't worry about your folks he
said. "Don't you want u drink Of wa.
| ter2"
Roberts handed n tin cup through the
bars. and the prisoner drank as though
he were furnished
"Whats your namcy" tho auctionccr
asked.
| Jim DHrrOw.
| "YOu'll need a lawyer"
IL amt done nothin'- thank you"
said barrow, handing back the cup
AN, besides. amt got cent In the
world except this 81. an the man that
bought my watch will want that"
"Man to man, now" said Roberts
"no lying - did you kill Brumnclds
bOy?"
The prisoner drrw himself up. looking
the nuctionccr in the eyes. and reptile J.:
AS God Is my judge. no. I Meier
heard of Brumield or his boy or any.
thing about amy Of this tin ten min.
| utcS ngO"
81 believe you. an I'll stand by ypu."
said Roberts.
AN my wife an babies"-
"Ncvcr mind. now" said Roberts.
1--WE will take care Of them. You keep
| stin upper lip"
Roberts rode TO the ford with farm
or who went that way. Twilight had
settled down when hc reached the place
where the movers family was campcd.
Near the rOndsidc the auctlOnccr saw II
hickcring liallI and heard the frcirul
cries of an infant. Coming closer no
saw an old wagon covered with n rag
Gcu piece OF canvas. Nearby an AMI.
maj that might once have been horse
was tcthcrcd TO II sapllng A woman
sat near the campfire holding the fret
ting baby In her arms. Lying on tho
ground and on strips Of bcdclothing
were the three other children. The
woman was trying TO quiet the infant
and occasionally she glanced toward
the road
Good eVcnln', num-" said Roberts
Are You Mrs. DarrowY
Eyes. sir"
Your husband
My gracious, what's happened TO
him" cried the woman, now standing
erect and holding the child close TO her
breast.
Roberts stammcrcd at first and then
blurtcd out, Hes been arrested
"Arrcsled?" She repeated the word
Ia n bewildcred tone.
Eyes; he's been accused Of stealth
watch"
where IN hc?" she exclaimed, nut.
ting the baby on the ground.
well, don't get frightened now,
mum; don't get frightened" said Rob
erts. Hes locked up, but
Locked upw she gasped Locked
up! Why. man. locked up, you say.
Don't they know he's pretty nigh dead
with the ager?"
The woman caught up her apron and
held 1t to her eyes. The babies cIung
to her torn skirts, whining piteously.
Locked up" she mOhned over and
over again. AN tomorrow's his chill
day.
Roberts put the woman and the chill.
drcn into the wagon. hitChcd up the
b0ny horse and started for the village.
On the way he tried hard to urge the
miserable horse out of snail.likc gait.
The mother continued to sob and
monn, and the children all cried at
once, while the horse crept along rs
though every step would he its last.
Roberts saw men hurrying along,
and once a party Of horScmen. utterlng
loud curse, passed him at gallon.
Finally when the outlandish rig had
turned n corner into the main thor.
oughfarc OF the village Roberts saw
the glare Of fire on the public square
and heard volleys of cheers and yells.
As the vehicle passed group of men
Roberts heard one say, I'VE can't do
anything till after midnight; the sher.
ms on the lookout"
10 this another replied. Wen get
him as soon as the crowd gets worked
up right"
Roberts pounded the old horse and
drove into the throng of men that had
gathered near the auction stand. The
county attorney and the mayor were
on the box side by side. The mayor
was haranguing the crowd and beg
Cling the people to go to their homes
and let the law take it's course. Some
OF the listeners cheered for the mayor;
others jeered at him. Roberts drove
the staggering horse close to the speak.
er's stand. and. leaping from the seat,
he tore Off the tattered wagon cover
that hid the woman and her children
from view Mrs DarrOw'S face was