Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-27


sibe. And he arrived within few
minutes of DR. Sullivan. his red beard
ed overseer and the cuprit. who had
spent the night in heavy irons. which
he still wore
The doctor led his brother magis-
trate aside. and Tom. raising his lack
luster eyes for once. watched them
walking arm in arm in the sunlight
for several minutes before entering
the courthouse. Ginger stood by and
told the cOnStablpS the kind Of man
IOm was. Tom heard him without
word or a look. The Constahles agreed
that, whatever else he was, he was
evidently a sulky brute. Tom heard
them, too, but sat doggedly in the
strong sunlight, with sullen eyes upon
the two magistrates. whom he instiuc-
lively knew to be deciding his fate
before the case began. Not word
had he spoken since the irons had been
clamped upon his limbs and clasped
about his soul.
Not word did he speak in the JUS
tiCe room within. His attention. how
ever, was engaged ut the outset by the
extremely moderate tone in which the
charge was preferred against him. DR.
Sullivan, put on his oath. gave a per-
fcctly true account of what he had
himself seen and heard in the small
hours of That morning. He even adj
mitted. in response to question from
the bench, his impression that his son
was the first to raise hand and add
ed Of his own accord hope that that
circumstance would he taken into due
consideration on his servants behalf
Tom could hardly believe his ears
lie was still lost in wonder at this cX-
traordiuary intcrcesSion on the part of
Or. sullivan. of all men, when Mr.
Strachan addressed him in tone no
less element and benign.
You are charged" said he. with
very grave olIcnse. which you do not
attempt TO deny. in the ordinary
course | should feel compelled to com
nit You To another court, and your
lighteSt punishment would be Il term
! in the chain gang. even if you were not
sent straight away to Norfolk island.
1t is your good fortune. however. to
have been assigned to Il humane and
mcrCiful master. who has spoken for
you as am bound To say | should not
have done in his place. lie has mag
unanimously made the most of the one
slender point that might he urged in
your favor. He has begged me To deal
with you here and now. He is cener-
OuSly anxious to give you another
chance, of which. for your own good,
would eXhort you to take grateful ad-
vantage. Meanwhile you have not me
to thank, but DR.. Sullivan entirely. for
the ridiculOuSly inadequate punish
ment which | am about to order you
You will be taken into the yard. and
you will receive fifty lashes with the
cat o nine tails"
At these words Tom turned very
white and opened his lips as if to
| speak. but shut them tight without a
syllable. His logged eyes cleaned,
his handouts ratified and his leg irons
| clanked together as the cOnStahles took
| him by. either arm and led him with
out murmur from the room.
Did | say too muchE" asked Mr.
Strachan, biting at Il chcroot, when the
magistrates were left alone
| Not one word" replied the doctor
| cordially. Il am infinitely obliged to
| you for saying what you did-for .hc
constabes' benefit particularly. They
seemed to see nothing wrong"
| Mr.. Strachan shook his head.
1T was distinctly irregular, doctor.
\ clearer case for quarter sessions I
| have never heard
| Perhaps not; but then | should
have lost a most competent groom.
and now, thanks to you, l shall keep
him"
Are you sure he will be worth keep
| ing after thisf" asked the Anglo-In-
dian, sucking at his cheroot, which
was but a shade darker than his with
I cred face.