Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-11

hair since his Incarceration. He has
allowed his muStache to grow and 1t
has turned up at the ends, giving him
a rather warltke appearance. He fon-
dies it persistently while he talks.
When he laughs the mustache turns up
toward his eyes and the spectator is
given a view Of wide expanse OF
white, uneven teeth. Persing is light
hearted, though at times serious, es-
pecially when he mentions the injustice
of keeping him in jail
why, / could get away If wanted
to- he said. "but / amt got nuthin' to
run fer. What makes me sore though,
is that i had to 'sociate with tough
man who wuz here a while back. He
wuz q burglar. they said. and six saws
wuz found on him. He wuz some COM
pany, but I'm tist as well satisfied to
be here alone. | don't like to DE In
tough company"
And Persing smiled disdainfully and
smoothed down his coat collar.
Regarding the stories as to his con-
duct with Mrs. Pratt, Pc sing said:
Always Joking; Never Kissed Her.
why, | didn't think nothin' of slap
pin er pinchin' her. ST and her and
me an the whole outfit used to have
fun knockn' around that way and no.
body thought anything bout it. Why,
Jennie was as much of a joker as ST
an we didn't none of us think about
foolin' around like that"
Did you ever kiss Mrs Pratt?'
well l should say not" and Persing
crla "Wbnt do
thing of that, Miny?'
And he turned to his sweetheart,
who smiled broadly.
Asked regarding the amount OF fly
poison that was, used at the Pratt farm,
Persing said that he had seen some in
the top of fruit can and another piece
in q saucer.
When told that, according to the evil
dence, Mrs. Pratt had used about six
teen sheets in ten days, Persing shook
his head.
Il dunno what become of it," he said.
That's kind of funny. amt it?"
Some of Their Letters.
The lovers shook hands at parting
and Persing agreed to allow the girl to
show some of the letters she had re-
ceived from him. He handed over one
which he had received from her shortly
after he was locked up. 1t was written
at Fonda July s, and was the first Per-
sing had received after he was locked
up:
Following is an excerpt:
II lust received your letter and know
it must be lonesome for you there IN
jail. / know you are innocent. or
course they think it is all bluff about
our going to be married, but they will
find out different, won't they dear? The
Fourth l couldn't help but think of
you and how we planned to go some
where. 1 staid at home and could not
enjoy myself! I can't help but worry all
the time. They tell me not to. but 1t
seems like 1 can't help it, The hens
Aunt Louisa set for us came off to-
day so l have some little chickens 10
take care of. Well, dear, l have got
me new dress. / was intending 1t for
q wedding dress If did not get around
to get another one. 1 did not want
to come into court, but l want to help
YOU all can. see by the papers Mrs
Pratt was taken to Jail. My heart ache
for her. have been working on tidl,
and have three done. have to do
something to pass away the time. To-
morrow is Sunday and lonesome day
II will be for me. Sweetheart, l Will
have to say goodnight. May God bless
Won and sustain you in your trouble.
NV PRAYERS are for you, darling. Your
.,,.aa+he,rt Nina"
One of the three letters Nina re-
ceiyed from Persing was dated April
25 while Pratt was lying sick unto
death.
A part Of it follows:
"Dear Friend: 1 can't be up there
(Fonda) Sunday for the boss IS SICK
and Il will try to get up there IN an
other week. / suppose you Will pc as
amounted when you receive this.
am too sleepy and tired to write much
tonight so goodby. From your friend,
Will Persing."
Girl Thinks He Will be Released.
Nina has confidence that Persing Will
he liberated soon. She is preparing ror
her wedding and has arranged with
friend of Persing's for a wedding sup
per. Persing's parents are mere slay
ing at this friends house. The ola
folks reside on a farm near 1utniie
Center, Guthrie county They WIN re-
main during the trial of their son II ne
is brought before the court after MIS-
Pratt's trial is finished.
Persing spends most of his time reao-
ing Mrs. Pratt appears anxious 10
avoid the public, but daily she walks
IN and from the court house, the
cvnosure of all eyes. She Is modestiy
dressed in black and wears an auto
hat. 1t appearance she mucn
the same as she was last June when
seen at her home after the funeral Oh
her husband.