The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1906-12-11
A Coup in Mexico



, cell. and the gang OF Mexicans filed out
to exult In the coming downfall OF the
hated gringo. All except Inez-she sat
In the courtroom and refused refresh
ment and repulsed her peoples ad-
vances, alone In her sorrow
Jim's lawyer walked over to the
sheriff's office.
joe" said he. "ln case I wanted TO
have little confab with Jim, and were
to bring a couple OF other parties in,
1t would be ali right, wouldn't it? No
trouble-just little talk"
Sure yes. I'm mighty sorry for Jim.
It's bad case. This here country is
mighty nigh gone to the dogs when a
white man gets hung for a-killin' of a
greaser. Next thing they'll be arrestin'
us for killin' coyotes. Yes, I'll let you
In any time that you want
The lawyer walked slowly over to the
courtroom. He espied the detected lit
tie figure sitting in the far corner. her
head in her hands. He walked softly
to her.
"Inez." he said. do you want Senior
Jim hanged?"
mo, mol" she exclaimed. II no want
him hang-Senor Jim, he been good to.
She drew from about her neck a lit
tie heart.
did yau want to marry Rafe Mem
doza?"
mo, no! He too ole, en- he all time.
drunk. en- cuss. en- he not nice-lak
Senior jim"
Well would you save Jim IL you
could? If you could do so and not
has. foIt.
81, senior, yes, yes-I no want to hurt
him-1 like Senor jim"
"All right; you just wait here, and
when l come after you, you follow me.
l will fix things so your folks won't
know about it until it is too late"
The lawyer went into the office of
the clerk of the court.
Where's Judge Smith, the Justice of
the peace?" he asked.
He found the justice, and in a few
words explained to him. The Justices
eyes twinkled and he, too, assented.
Back to the clerks Office went the
lawyer, and this time he came out with
a legal-looking paper in his pocket,
bearing the signature of the clerk He
went upstairs and got Inez-she came
willingly. Together the three made
thSh way 10 tIle jail. ne girls
father and his friends were in the shade.
OF the courthouse on the other side.
Together they went in the jail to
Jim's cell. A few minutes later they
emerged again, all their faces wreathed
in smiles.
Court reassembled and the case of
the State VS. Griggs was called. De-
fendant pleaded Not guilty
la ,A
said the court.
'Inez Gonzales, Inez Gonzales, come
into COURT bawled the bailiff.
The prosecuting attorney settled him
self in his chair. There was a breath
less silence.
Inez came slowly down the aisle and
seated herself She was sworn, and the
attorney commanded:
Tell the jury now what you know
about Jim Griggs numbering Rafe Men.
doza."
Inez looked appealingly at Jim's law
yer. He unfOlded his long length from
his chair and arose.
IF the court please, We object to the
witness testifying.
What ground?" snapped the district
attorney.
civil, or statute, that can make a wife
testify against her husband. The wit
ness is the wife of the prisoner"
This is triek,' cried the district
attorney.
1T may be trick grinned Jim's.
lawyer, but it's the trick that wins
the game. Here's the license, issued in
due form, and here's the certificate of
the Hon. Lumpkin Smith, justice of the
peace, who performed the ceremony an
hour ago. l move for discharge Of the
accused"
Motion sustained" said the judge.
with alacrity Enter the case as mol
pressed, Mr.. Clerk"
That evening, under a safe escort of
cowboys to protect them from the
Mexicans, Jim and his bride were safe
ly conducted to Los Cruces, where they
took the train back to the states, and
where they live in peace and happiness
on the old farm in far-away Illinois,
Illustrated Bits.