Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-31
TIE SAGE BRUSH PARSON
BY A. B. w ARD.
tcopyriehs, 1905, BY ntsle. Brown csnps.y.,

SoAtkc0. 1tntteHueA OF tR9 july, ne S4-
claimed, IF you want to ana the real GRIM
fnal. there he sitsp' He pointed Rtraight
at Ike. If he'd stood up and walke.i ike
any other decent man and had taken has
own shots when they were fired at him, this
poor stranger would never have been Killed.
1t Is he. with his mean, delusiye. evasive
walk. who is responsible for the death Of
the unknown"
likes jaw dropped. He sat azhast Tne
court smiled. The spectators applaudeu.
Barker took his seat we'll pleased.
The jury brought in yefsltes of Net
guilty and the court went mer1i.y on with
the divorce proceeding of Richard Dale aGt.
Mrs Richard Dale
The case promised little for Dick from
the start. There were plenty Of witnesses
to prove that he acted of his own volitfon
He had declared openly that he was going
TO marry the woman, had himself invited
the guests, bought the liquor, engaged the
musicians gone for the clergyman. not one.
put two. SO great was his haste. The
snyster lawyer whom the widow had sum-
moned from Battle Mountain seemed to
have everything in his hands.
Then Barker took his turn. He obtained
from Vaughan and Haverford testimony
calculated to excite suspicion, but no more.
Then he called the widow.
She took the stand with brazen assur-
ance. She was ready to defy Barker him
self on this occasion
You will please relate the circumstances
attending the betrothal of the pair under
discussion" said Barker formally ION the
defendant, had he been drinking?"
Not to signify" responded the witness
In harsh, rasping voice. He took his
dram, sames all of EN-"
Who gave 1t to him?"
II did,"
Yes"
Can you produce the glass2"
She gave him quick look. why, no.
Twas Just an ordinary tumbler washed
up and put away with the rest Of EN-"
You cannot produce it?'-repeated Bar
ker.
No." she said again.
Barker paused. Il can," he said steadily
he beckoned to a young man at the op-
posate side OF the ROOM who brought to
him a paper parcel. This Barker unrolled
and displayed, SO that everyone could see
a dingy tumbler of ordinary, heavy make
When you got Red Mike to smoke strong
tobacco into this" he began peremptorily.
II never did no such a thing" She In
terrupted TREMENDOUSLY.
Silence" exclaimed Barker, and she cow
cred.
The bride was whitening under her rouge
and she nervously moistened her full red
lips with her tongue.
when you got Red Mike to smoke strong
TOBACCO into that glass so that there was
a hfm of nicotine which remained on the
Sides repeated the lawyer land when
you poured whisky into that glass for Mr..
Richard Dale, were you aware that you
were making yourself and your accomplce
lidDl lot criminal OnenSe?'
disturbance in the rear of the
room attracted attention from the speak
er. stout miner was graphing with
Red Mike. who succeeded, however,
in wrenching himself away and jump
ing out of the window. Half dozen men
and boys started In pursuit. Every
one crowded to the windows or stood up
on chairs to look. Not until a-report was
brought back that Red Mike had doubled
on his pursEers and lodged into some hole
which opened to receive him was order re-
stored. Then Barker again put his aues-
tion adding. Il suppose YOU did 1t as a
''Ye-es,' she answered with chattering
teeth. That's what 1t was IA joke.
He-he," she laughed Historically. Course
twas joke
A joke and the outcome of Joke the
court declared the marriage Dick went his
way and the designing women went theirs
An inquisitive group gathered around
Barker and asked to see the tumbler Ha-
verford and Vaughan were among them.
SO that is what they call a dopeT" said
Haverford, taking the tumbler and holding
1t up to the light.
That's what 1t was" replied Barker ct
made Dick very obedient.''
How did you ever contrive to get hold
Of such damaging piece Of testimony
Haverford inquired. Borrowed it, said
Barker cooily. THAT tumbler belongs to
Jack l mustn't forget to carry it back"
Then 1t wasn't the widder,s tumbler at
all?' called half dozen voices
oh, no, that tumbler's Jacks" said
Barker. II suspected some such trick l
knew Red Mike of old. The wilder knew
she was guilty, and when Mike gave the
thing away she cadunkered The widder's
q fool for all she thinks she's smart
is she member of the D. p II" An
quired Vaughan somewhat bitterly.
No, parson; we don't take incurableS"
drawled the lawyer.
He rolled up the tum bier and when the |
little company left the court house, fell
into step with Vaughan as they walked up
the street.
1--WE can't take in everybody" he con-
tinued. Not but what they all belong in |
the same category. l always wonder. when |
see a man. how soon he'll show his fool
spot. and what 1t is.''
you didn't hit mine said Vaughan.
You hit my principles.
BLESS your soul. that's what they inva- |
riably think 1t isl' The lawyer chuckled |
He felt that he had struck a new. rich |
vein.
II know wherein I'm fool" continued |
Vaughan sensitively.
How do you know demanded Barker.
you don't. Nobody knows that of himself |
founded the society as a sort Of bureau |
of information. And I'd learned how big a |
fool was myself and wanted a crowd to |
help get up laugh. That's what being a |
fool is for, In this dreary world
He gave Vaughan one of his sideiong |
cynical glances. Here we are, at Jacks"
he said lightly. II must go in and leave |
his tumbler.''
AS Vaughan moved on he heard quick |
steps. and Haverford overlook him
What do You think of Eureka justce?" |
he inquired.
Vaughan shook his head.
IT'S the one virtue they pride themselves |
on, here" continued Haverford 'Giving |
every man his due. seeing that he has fair |
play Isn't Barker a character? 4ou |
should have seen him come into court half |
seas-over, as I did the other day.
What does this mean?' the Judge asked. !
:" 'Whas the matter, judge? replied Bar |
ker.