Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-12-31
The Governors
Daughter
ny Harold Garter.

pletic. sat gorging himself inside the
sheriff's house. Five and twenty
yards away the convicts waited N
their stockade for his inspection. The
great boiler. containing melted tur-
pentine. bubbled and hummed, and
from the vistas Of pine trees on every
side carts emerged, drawn by mules
and driven by TRUSTEES.
As the sheriff waited outside the
house a girl appeared on horseback.
us pepper through with his din
ner?" she asked. mo, don't disturb
him; he hates to be hurried when
he's eating. You're the sheriff, aren't
you?"
Eyes, madam" the sheriff answered,
removing his hat.
ooh, won't you please help meT
said the girl, clasping her hands. Il
do so want to see the convicts. I've
never seen a convict, and pepper
wouldn't take me along. 80 ! just
slipped away. Listen!"-as slow
snore came from within-"I guess he's
having his after.dinner nap, and he'll
be furious II you wake him. Won't
you please let me inspect the con-
victs?"
No true southerner could resist such
an appeal. They passed together
through the iron gates Of the log
stockade. into the court, in which
white prisoners and black stood list
lessly, serving their sentences In
company with several NANCY ours
and a litter Of pigs, as we'll as some
fowls, that ran squawking before the
newcomers. In the four towers at
either corner guards sat immovable
with loaded rifles.
Are these all?' asked the girl,
scanning the sullen groups with eager,
interested, and, 1t appeared, half
frightened eyes.
where's Jim Durgan" asked, the
sheriff, CURLY, of an old colored trusty.
Hes in dar, sheriff." the man an
swered
who is Jim Durgan?" the girl
asked.
He's what we call lifer,' miss"
the sheriff responded. Sent up for
murder five months ago. He was never
much good-drunkard and all that,
though a fine worker when he chose.
Got into a fight with another tough
character over some girl; both drew
and Durgan fired first. Many thought
he should have been acquitted, but
guess the jury sent him up on account
of his reputation. The girl was OF
quite q superior class; went to the
governor and begged him to intercede
with the pardon board; when that
failed, hired thugs to break into the
Jail and rescue him. That's him."
A tall, lean. sunburned man came
slowly out Of the Enclosure and looked
round inquiringly. There was some
dignity in his poise; he seemed diner
ent from the convicts around him.
"Oh, l know he has the markings OF
an honest man." cried the girl. impul-
sively. I'll go to pepper and just
make him intercede for him." The
man smiled scornfully and eyed the
sheriff with cold disdain. Wont you
take him up to pepper now?" she con-
tinued, clasping her hands. Hes al
ways in a good humor when he wakes
up from his nap. Oh, please do this
for me, and I'll do anything you ask
me-"
The sheriff looked dubious.
Hes a desperate character, miss"
he answered. Had to be put In irons
once"
I'm sure he'll give his word Of hon,
or to go quietly" said the girl. with
tears in her eyes. Wont you please
please do this for me?'
The sheriff placed his hand on the
prisoners shoulder. You're sure your
ma won't be mad about 1t, miss?" he
asked. well, I'll risk IT," they
passed cut of the gates together.
As the trio approached the front
of the house where the horse stood
tethered the girl looked back and gave
q loud scream.
Look, look!" she cried.
The sheriff turned with start;
every one turned, even the fat gov
ernor, standing at the door of the din.
ing room. There was scurry. q splat''
ter of dust, a vision Of q gailoping
steed bearing a girl and q man who
turned back to laugh insolently-then
nothing but an echo among the dis
tant pines.
."What in" began the governor.
."Your daughter" stammered the
sheriff.