The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-11

( Jim Holden
Bess swayed back. although she has
steadied herself for the shock.
Tell us the particulars" urged one
OF the women. and Mrs. OHphaut offered
q chair.
We'll it was like this" ne began.
7 Ell heard the shot, so T took nay gum
and headed at once for the watertaul
near the railroad. I thought It was
just likely that Jim Holden was escap-
ing. and I wanted TO be on hand. Z
thought If it was he, he'd break for that
spot. Jhe same place where he started on
Lis other trip, the one that he took
with his pal"
How do you know it was the same
place." flashed Bess.
Barlow stammered, caught himself,
and replied quickly:
well, that's about the only place
where I can think Of that a freisht
slows down"
Bess made no reply and Barlow con
tinued with his story.
Just as I was looking around TO see
If there was anybody hiding, ] caught
motion near the old tree that stands
by the tank, and in a minute I made
out the form OF Jim Holden climbing
that tree. 1 don't know what for, but
he was climbing it all right
He saw me just a second before. 4
guess, for when I stepped up to speak
to him he tried to shoot me down i'm
cold blood. He missed. so he hit me
over the head with a billy. Tried to
XIII me. When I fell he kept on club
bling me. My head is all smashed ND
from the way ne beat me in that cow
sTdly fashion. When 7 came 90 he had
gone away on a freight
How did YOU know ne was beating
YOU in the CoWardly-way YOU describe
II you were unconscious all the timer"
interrupted Bess, her checks crimson.
and her eyes flashing angrily.
"I-I-weu- you see, I knew he wasn't
above doin' anything like that. Then
when 7 got up what do you think 7
found?"
He paused for dramatic effect while
everybody but Bess looked intensely
interested
"Weu ne had had the nerve to take
off my clothes while I was unconscious
and put his on me. There was I. an
innocent man, forced TO wear the stripes
Of infamy. The skuIking rascal! Think
Think of that man daring to attack a
/ laW-abiding citizen with mUrderous ln-
tent.
ladies. we cannot be too careful
while this ferocious man IS at liberty.
/ The town must make up a purse and
help lu running down and catching the
Internal sc0undrel who would rather
kin than eat"
Bess attempted no reply 20 this alb
surd speech. She only smiled a little
+ - herself
And YOU mean 10 say" broke IN one
/ OF the women, chat the escaped con-
I Wet presumed 10 change clothes with
you and put YOU fin prison stripes
That's it, cried Barlow. when z
came 20 I was lying there in the
stripes -of degra dalton, from which
every true man instinCtiveIy shrinks."
"The nerve OF him. exclaimed am
other OF the callers.
Think of IT, Think Of it," repeated
Barlow. Me in prison stripes. A man
who"
ct think they must have been very
becoming 10 you." Bess interrupted
quickly. ct think when Jim changed
clothes with you he put the clothes of
dishonor on the man shat should be
wearing them lu his place"
"T5u don't mean that l."
-'I mean" Be5s snapped. that as
long as you are so afraid OF prison
clothes you had better be a little more
careful what you do, AR. Barlow 10
would be very hum.liating for you 10
have to don such disgracefuI apparel
for ten or twenty years, but it IS quite
possible"
The man crInged in spite OF himself