Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-08-20

on finding herself the focus OF so many
eyes. the negro was brought forward.
She had seen the face of the robber
who entered her room. and whom she
had beaten on. In a dim light only, but
its every feature was indelibly upon
her memory. The sight OF that face
again stilled her beating heart and
Gained every nerve. Her level gaze
sought his eyes. but they would not
meet II. Once, once only. they rested
on her face. No pity. no mercy. was
there. II was the face OF Judge and
an executioneT. She had not spoken
when shrieks broke the stiffness and
negro woman, who had come across
the cotton field. plunged into the light
and. falling, clasped the girls knees.
| The woman was almost breathless
with excitement and exhaustion. She
had run from the distant cabin where
the negro had been seized. He was
her boy. and came but seldom TO this
plantation, and then only to escape the
consequences OF crime elsewhere.
Don't do Il, missy-foI Gods sake!
II warn't him! No, 10 God. II warnt
him! he been dere all night! Say Il
warn't him, honey-yo' mammy's hoy,
honey! An she nussed you an yourn!
Yo' sisters died, In my arms! Speak
missy! Tell EN- quick, honey, Il
warn't mammys-mGmmy's boy"
The girl reached down and rested
her hand on the head OF the old wo.
man. Her face was white and her
voice barely audible.
Hush. nanny" She looked intent.
ly on the brutal face Of the prisoner.
who had been brought closer. A shud.
der shook her form, but she did not
turn away her eyes. The words she
spoke then were inhudible to any OF
the group except her father. lie start.
cd violently.
Child! Child" he cried. a look OF
fear on his face. Remember what you
are doing"
What does your daughter say, col
onel?" asked the leader.
The planter paused and looked on
the girl. whose struggle TO be calm was
apparent to all. He waited In vain.
That this is not the man" he said
. at length.
The amaEement OF the crowd was
, evident. though there was no immedi.
ate response. The members drew
slowly into little groups. The leader
sat his horse thoughtfully regarding
! the girl.
If she's sartin. thar amt nothin'
, for us to do hut turn him loose and try
! ag'in. My young frien'-are you sartin
that this Amt ther man who went into
+ yo' room tonight" The girl looked
5 appealingly towards him. the negro
+ woman patting her hand and moaning.
: II am certain" she said. and her
white face was not turned away. The
old man gazed steadily into It and
lifted his hat
Every man in the party read the
meaning OF his action and every hat
was lifted as the woman and girl with.
drew.
Colonel" he said, when they were
gone. under this statement OF tn case,
we can't do nothin' but turn tn man
loose. In a courthouse, II she went
thar. as you wouldn't have her. 20
daughter would acquit tn prisoner
Public opinion wouldn't indorse any
VI lcHCt Ou buI part bbgbt uuNlt hlhts
The negro was being united. his
hands extended for the purpose. when
the man who was working at the knot
paused. looking intently at tho pris
oner's wrist He called the leader and
whispered 10 him; and as he whispered
the negro sought to draw the wrist
back under the rough shirt sleeve.
In tn struggle. colonel" said the
leader. coming now to where the IA
Their stood thoughtful and depressed. his
eyes bent on the pickering fire. did
go daughter say anything erbout Ell
wound she made? Try an remember
please. sah-it may save her comm
" lack"
None whatever. The pistol she
s held was seized and would have beer
h wrenched from her but that In he
desperation she succeeded in Wait
J. Wait" he cried. rushing forward
10 There must have been a wound! Lool
lr for a wound on his wrist"
d The negro's arm was seized and. Il
s spite OF a frantic struggle on his par
It to conceal Il. the print OF the girl
teeth. where they had sunk into tn,
IL flesh. became visible. He would hav
d. cried out but a hand was laid owe
y his mouth until gag had been found
G. Stay here, colonel" said the leade
a as the party mounted and rode ava.
L. with their prisoner. We won't nee,
e. no help!"
Ie The planter remained. He waite,
d. sadly By the fire until Peter extir
- guished II and then passed slowly 4
W the house
s. Through the still open window h
ne saw his daughter on her knees. cor
vulsed with the agony Of remorse 70
ID her first lle Her Nanny" bendin
n. over her, was poWerless to comfort