Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-17

figure. The only touch Of the western
In his dress was the gray slouch hat
worn straight and firmly set upon his
brown hair
"a pretty bit Of grazing land" he
was saying to the sheriff as he looked
out over the level prairie, dotted here
and there with an adobe shack and Oc-
casional herds Of cattle.
The sheriff, q brawny, blue shirted
young fellow Of thirty, with unkempt
hair and mustache, uncrossed his boot
ed legs, Strengthened out one Of them,
pushed his hand deep into the pocket
Of his corduroy trousers and yawned.
As his coat was thrust back with the
movement the butt of his Al caliber
"gun" might be seen. Without reply
Ing, he drew out large silver watch
and studied 1t absently.
The small boys among the group Of
hangers on In front Of the steps were
beguiling themselves tossing ball, and
the prosecuting attorney, a young grad
uate from the east who had come up
from Pueblo, called out:
"Here you are, Johnnie! Give US a
catchw
The small boy who had the ball grin
ned sheepishly and threw 1t at him.
Harder; harderw said the young
lawyer cheerily. That's no way to
pitch a ball. Throw 1t in this way"
And the bows hands were scorched as
he caught the return.
"Say, kin you pitch curveT he
asked. Lets see you do It."
"All right" said Hardy, rising good
naturedly and taking of his coat
Here you 60. Hold on" he added.
"You couldn't catch 1t II did. Here,
Mr.. Hackett; 90 out there and let me
throw you few curves"
The others laughed ut this, for Hack
EFT, the senior counsel for the defense,
also up from Pueblo for the trial, was
an enormous middle aged Hoosier, six
feet two In height AMI weighing go
pounds. He had u mass Of crisp black
hair and wore black br0adcloth frock
coat and trousers, low turned down
collar and ready made tie. He was
slow moving and ponderOus. though
forceful and shrewd In his profession,
deliberate Of speech and anything but
an athlete.
"Here, I'll catch you" exclaimed the
Junior counsel, Blake. somewhat
lanky, powerfully built westerner, ris.
ing and depositing his rough brown
sack coat beside Hardy's.
Gee. you've got muscle" he added,
rubbing his hands after the first pass.
"Hurruyw yelled the small boy. THAT
was corker. Git on to them curves,
Clarencew he cried In worshipful ad-
miration.
"Wouldn't mind little Of that exer-
else myself" said the judge, rising In
terestedly and hesitating on the steps.
"Why not have q little game while
we are waiting" said Hardy. half jok-
ingly. "Come on, sheriff"
Moved by a common impulse the lit
tie group frightened up, threw away
their cigar ends and moved half apollo
getically into the sandy square. At the
left of the courthouse and adjoining 1t
was small open field Of well trodden,
dusty grass, where a scratch ball game
was played occasionally and where
horses were tethered during court. One
Of the small boys was dispatched for
suitable bat and ball and catchers
glove, and by the time the sides were
arranged he came racing back with
them, highly excited, followed by sew
eral other small boys.
No one had the slightest idea Of be-
ing drawn into u game when he left
the steps, but the reaction had worked
insidiously. The trial had been par
ticularly exciting one. and those who
had followed it were tired after the
three days strain in the III ventilated
courtroom. The sympathies Of all had
undoubtedly been with the prisoner, nj
though the state had been vigorous In
| its prosecution and the Judge had con-
scientiously done his duty. Murder
had been committed at jamestown
Creek few months previously. though
a change of venue had been obtained
to Fort Morton. the prisoners own
town. Copperthwalt had always been
q quiet, law abiding ranchman. He
was under thirty years Of age, big,
broad shouldered and swarthy. diff
| dent in manner and somewhat slow OF
speech, though he had been slowly and
| thoroughly angered in a quarrel over
| bunch Of cattle. Six or eight steers
had been branded twice, one mark
over the other. and the dispute arose
over this. Duke, the victim OF the
shooting, had borne bad reputation,
and the village street was usually more
or less uneasy during his infrequent
visits. He had killed his man and had
| been known to boast Of 1t several times
IN Flynn's saloon. After this last quar-
rel hs had sworn to shoot Copperthwait
on sight. The quarrel had occurred In
the morning. That afternoon Copper.
thwait had just left the Eagle hotel to
mount his mustang tied to the hitching
post in front, when Duke happened to
turn the corner.
"Here comes Duke" bystander ex'
claimed. Copperthwait started and
caught sight of his adversary. Duke
stopped short and put his hand behind
him, and Copperthwait, quick as o
flash, fired once and put bullet be-
tween Dukes eyes. He had offered nc
resistance to arrest and now was In
the rough little Jail near by while the
twelve good men and true deliberated
In the hot back room under the tin roof
of the courthouse.
I guess my hands are a little too
soft to play" said the Judge good ma
turedly, feeling qualm US to the ap
propriateness of his Joining actively In
the sport "but I'll be umpire II yor
want me-"
The two teams were quickly formed
the Comanches against the Sisux. Tht
Sioux won the toss and took the feld
and the Comanchss were struck out II