The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-01-28
An Adroit Judge.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
[originaI.l

bad man at heart, but be had been
obliged by Captain General Weyler to
do great many cruel acts.
A number OF those who had suffered
under Sanchezs rule when the war
closed went to live in Havana. San
chez had been In the tobacco business
before the war and at the close re.
turned to that business. He wished
only to live peaceably and earn Nv
ing for his family. But those who had
felt the effect Of Weyler's iron rule.
administered through his subordinate.
were not minded that the ex-governor
should escape without punishment
One day a man was found murdered
in the streets Of Havana, and a wit
ness came forward who swore that he
had seen Sanchez commit the act
Judge Antonio Herrera presided at
Sanchez's trial In the witnesses the
Judge recognized Cubans who had been
active IN the revolution. Nevertheless
a good case was made against the for
mer deputy of the mercIless Weyler
The jury brought Ia verdict OF guilty,
and II only remained for the judge to
pronounce sentence.
Miguel Sanchez, stand upF'
The prisoner arose, pale and trem-
bling. He was supported by bis daugh-
ter. a dusky Spanish girl with liquid
eyes bordered by long lashes.
| Miguel Sanchez said the judge,
"do you remember me-"
Il do.p faltered the prisoner.
when did we last meetT
~ ordered your arrest. You were
brought before me, aud sent you to
prison.
What we're your words on that oc-
casion|
Il don't remember"
II do You said: The crown of
Spain demands your influence to put
down the revolution or your life.
give you two days. in which to
choose"
The Judge paused a moment. The
courtroom was dealthly still except
I for the sobs OF Dona Maria Sanchez
do you remember some months lat
er, after had got away from you-it
was through the connivanee OF one
near your person-that you we're be-
Hieging the town or G.. where you had
me. backed BY a number OF revolution
lists. surroundedY
II dor
'sYou found a nut too hard for you to
crack. You cared little for any one
within the town except myself One
evening a note was put into my hand
by one who slipped away and was lost
In a crowd before could mark him
The note was from ron. You asked
me to meet you without the walls.
promising me safe conduct. You
limited that the crown was ready to
pay me a good price and give me an
important pest In case | would abJure
the revolution and throw my influence
on the other side sent man made
up 10 represent me- what became Of
himg'
Sanchez stood with bowed head.
Again there was silence except for his
daughters sobs.
Il win tell you.' continued the Judge
'He was arrested and was about to be
shot when be succeeded In convincing
you that he was not the person be ap-
peared to be. He was permitted to re
turn to me as messenger with anoth-
err safe conduct and further Offers
The judge paused again. This time.
besides the sobs OF Dona Maria. there
were mutterings among the ex-revolu
tionists who had secured the prisoners
conviction.
what have you to say" continued
the judge. sin explanation Of your
treaeheryT'
The prisoner raised hts head, looked
ut the Judge and said:
Nothing
Something lighted In the eye Of the
Judge that had not been there before.
He sat regarding the prisoner, who
was still looking fixedly at him. Then
the Judge broke the silence.
"you have this to say. You were
simply a machine to carry out the or
ders OF butcher. What you said were
the words OF General Weyler. What |
you did were bis acts. =
The pailor OF the prisoners cheek |
gave place to tinge OF color Dona
Maria looked up at the judge with
new expression.
ct is /, not a tyrant, who judges
you now, as was Judged. And this
Is MY decision. The revolution is ac-
complished. 1t is not for me, a Judge /
Of the court. to dispense vengeance.
This case has been trnmped up against /
you by those who wish to be revenged 1
upon you for acts of which you we're
only the tool They might as well I
strike an ak and 4eave the headsman
who welded 1t untouched. Sentence
is suspended indefinitely. Meanwhile.
Miguel Sanchez, you are permitted TO
go where you Will"
The sudden reprieve was too much /
for Sanchez He reeled and fell into
the arms Of his daughter He did not
see the look that passed between that
daughter and his Judge, look that
seldom sits on the human countenance,
for only extraordinary conditions can
call forth such an expression.
IN one part Of the Judges address he
had spoken Of having escaped through
the eonnivance OF one near the govern
or's person. That person was Maria
Sanchez. There were but two persons
in that courtroom who knew the secret
of the judges lenieney, who knew that
be ana nonA Marin bad ever met.