The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-08-21

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 OF. in dim light only, but
it's every feature was indelbly upon
her memory. The sight Of that fac"
again stilled her beating heart ana
Gained every nerve. Her level gaze
sought his eyes, but they would not
meet It, Once. once only, they rested
on her face. No pity, no mercy was
there II was the face Of judge and
an eyocutinner She had not spoken
when shricks 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 GREATNESS
with excitement and exhaustion. She
had run from the distant cabin where
the negro had been seized. lie was
her boy, and came but seldom to this
plantation, and then only to escape the
consequences OF crime elsewhere.
Don't do It. missy--for Gods sake!
1t warut him, No, 70 God, 1t warnt
| him! he been dere all night Say 1t
warn't him, honcy-yo mammy's boy,
/ honey An she nusscd you an yourn'
Yo' sisters died in my arms, Speak.
missy Tell EN- quick. honey, it
warnt mammy's-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
~ 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 inaudible to any or
the group except her father. He start
ed violently.
Child. Child" he cried, look oil
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 amazement OF the crowd was
evident. though there was no immedi'
ate response The members drew
slowly into little groups. The leade!
sat his horse, thoughtfully regarding
the girl.
III she's sartin. thar amt nothin
for us to do but turn him loose and try
ag'in My young frien'-are you sartir
that this aln't Their man who went into
20 room tonight" The girl looked
appealingly towards him. the Negro
woman patting her hand and moaning
81 am certain" she said. and hel
white face was not turned away. The
old man gazed steadily into it anc
lifted his hat.
Every man in the party read the
meaning of his action and every ha
was lifted as the woman and girl with
drew.
Colonel" he said, when they wert
gone, under this statement Of tn case
we cant do nothin but turn tn MAJ
loose In a courthouse. II she wen
thar, as you wouldn't have her, yo
daughter would acquit tn prisoner
Public opinion wouldn't indorse an,
Whence on our part, Boys, unite him!
The negro was being united hi
hands extended for the purpose. whel
the man who was working at the kno
paused looking intently at the pri'
oner's wrist. He called the leader an
whispered to him; and as he whispere
the negro sought to draw the wris
back under the rough shirt sleeve.
On tn struggle. colonel" said tn
leader coming now to where the Il
Their stood thoughtful and depressed hi
eyes bent on the pickering fire, "di
yo' daughter say anything erbout {
wound she made? Try an remembe
please, sah-it may save her comil
4" back"
None whatever. The pistol sh
& held was seized and would have bee
h wrenched from her but that I'm h,
desperation she succeeded in Wal
j. Watt" he cried, rushing forwar
10 There must have been a wound! Loo
lr for a wound on his wrist"
ID The negro's arm was seized and,
8 spite of frantic struggle on his pa
1t to conceal 1t. the print of the girl
teeth, where they had sunk into Il
lie flesh, became visible. He would hay
d. cried out but hand was laid ov'
~ his mouth until gag had been foun
e, stay here. colonel" said the lead
a as the party mounted and rode avn
H. with their prisoner. I'VE won't nee
c, no help"
he The planter remained. He watt
d. sadly by the fire until Peter exit
es guished 1t and then passed slowly
w the house.
Ia. Tbrouuh tho still nnan window