Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18

me. though know you was all for justice
an that you meant to do your duty. But
you was cruel quick against me- Well,
thus 1t stands: the world thinks I'm a MUIR
derer, an my work in life is to prove l am
not An that 1 shall do with or with
out your help. sir. But If you believe the lie,
say so. an III know where be. If you're
my enemy still, declare it. Then If there's
got to be fighting, the sooner the better.
But think afore you throw me over
Twas because loved you when we were
boys, an because 1 thought that, when
you heard my story calmly, you'd come to
believe in me, that 1 let the past go an
saved your life. So now say how we stand
please, Mister Henry. If you'm against
me still, be honest and declare it. But 1
know you can't be. Bant human nature
after what I've just done for YOU
Vivian stopped his horse.
Its not a time for reserve, Dan. You're
right and I'm wrong. You've taught me to
be larger-hearted. ] II take your word, and
derness of proofs. From this hour / will
believe that you're an innocent man, and
thank you, under providence, for saving
my life
He held out his hand and Sweetland
shook it as if he could never let 60
God bless you for that! 1 knowed well
how 'twould be when you understood. An
l hope you'll forgive me for speaking so
plain; but was gall to me to know you
| thought me so bad. If you on my side
an my own Minnie at home, an my heart S
| own friend, Titus Sim-you three-then I'm
not feared for anything else. I'll face the
world an laugh at it now. But first 1
must tell you the meaning of all that's
happened today"
Here's the Pelican interrupted
Vivian you'll do well to come in and
have a wash while 1 send for the police
washing won't get it off. I'll be so
black as the ace of oaks for many a long
day yet; an maybe it's best so. Twas
that dead mans idea that 1 should bide
along with Jesse Hagan an pretend to be
a deaf an dumb niger, an lend Jesse a
hand when you arrived. A very good idea,
| too. So long as Dan Sweetland's thought
| to be a murderer, he'll be better out of the
way"
They entered the dwelling Of Jabez Ford,
while a negro took their horses.
Then Sweetland told his story from the
beginning. He started with the night be-
| fore his wedding. and gave every particu
| lar of his last poaching enterprise. He re
| lated how he actually heard the shot thai
| must have slain Adam Thorpe, and ex-
| planned how he returned to Hangmans Hut
put his gun into its case and then went
| home to his fathers house. His wedding
| arrest and subsequent escape followed. He
mentioned his ruse at the Kings Oven
| his visit to his wife and his escape from
Plymouth in the Peabody. He resumed the
| narrative at Scarborough. Tobago, and theI
| related what had happened to him after fly
| ing from the wharf.
II overheard Jesse and Jabez Ford talk
| lu8p III very QoiChiy tuH1DieQ TO II ina
you was deader If you coined to see the
Obi Man. I'd watched the old gray-hairei
devil dig your grave already. Then set t
work to save you. Maybe twas fool.
| trick, but / hadn't much time to thinl
about it, SO 1 bluffed, an went in so bold a!
| brass, an said as I wanted to take your
| life. Well, you may guess what Ford
thought Of that. A desperate half-naked
| savage soldier man was just the tool for
/ him. They let me help Jesse, an I make
no doubt that Ford meant to turn on me
| afterward, If ever he had to clear him
| self. He never smelt rat-he never saw
l was playing part-I was that bttel
against you. I axed the man an begged
him to let me kill you myself, an I thinl
/ he would have agreed to it: but Jesse sait
| that twas his job an he told US he WASH
gazing to have no pig KILN In his house, bu
ordered US to leave it to him. To the las
| he wouldn't tell me how he was going to d.
| it, So / had an anxious time promise
| you. Then twas planned that should be a
I black man. an the old chap gived me some
l stuff for my face an hands an neck-tust
| the color as you see. I've got the rest III
there in a bottle. Well, Ford he went off
| an Jesse told me what my part was to be
| Simple enough-only to hand you your run
| punch when the time came-nothing more
Twas all in that drop of drink. But h,
/ swore., 'twasnt when I axed him afort
| you comoe. And what he put In, or how
! he put 1t in. can't tell you. I only guessed
when he handed me the drink that deatl
| was In your bowl, because he was so par
ticker about which was yours an which
was Ford's. So said to myself, I'n chang,
| these here calabashes, an IL ones wronf
'un, let that crafty chap have It; an i
both be honest, no harms done You Sc,
how right ! was. When I seed Fore