The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-07-29

matter OF form, and soon over, and the
sooner the better: for the prisoners
/! must be safe in the county Jail before
night. But the justice before whom
| arrive before 10, and the Squire fretted
and fumed.
By 5 O'Clock the space about the
store was crowded as II for a farmers
picnic. Every available place for hitch
ing. for rods up and down the road,
tering into the Hartswick grounds.
The morning. however. was eventless
until shortly after 9, when a strange
hush came over the multitude-a hush
so instant and complete that those
! within the house noted It and looked
out. Squire Hartswick even ran to the
porch. An unfamiliar buggy was on
the driveway, and the woman by the
d~river,-there could be no mistake
was Rose Hartswick. The Squire
rubbed his eyes,, and fumbled for his
spectacles. Then he hustled out to
meet her.
"What Toes this crowd mean. father?
Quick; what's happened?" She leaned
far over in her eagerness.
'How did you get here? What are
you here for?" he blurted out almost
brutally.
II came because I was needed. Now
tell mo what you're doing. Tell me-"
There was a dangerous light In her
eyes.
Go to your room, Rose; III see you
ed toward the barn.
"Father!' she Vailed commandingly,
but he did not stop or turn. Then she
saw her mothers face at a window, and
ran quickly up the path.
~"Rosie-why, Ros!e!"
hanpaned 2' - IN
"Tho sherin's here. and they are go
ing to a a trial"
What for?"
"somebody broke into the store, and
they've arrested Jim Farthing and his
father"
What proof nave they got?" She
was fairly shaking in her excitement.
"They found the goods In Mr.. Earth
mg's barn"
aThe goods stolen from fathers
store?"
"Yes; and they found Karl's stamp
"Where's the sheriff? 1 must see him
this instant"
"IIe's in the dining room-but, Rose"
But she had disappeared into the din
ing room where toe sheriff was making
preparations for the coming trial.
Are you the sheriff, sir?"
81 have that honor, madam he re-
piled Importantly.
Then you'll allow me to attend the
trial. I have important evidence"
You'll have to speak to The Judge,
madam
"All 1 ask is to be allowed to re-
main in the room;w will you allow that?"
"All right; sit right here. Well be
ready in a minute He placed a chair
Tor her ear the window.
There was a commotion in the front
hall: the Justice a arrived-a f1orid,
stout old gentleman, with a stern eye.
Squire Hartswick, who wal with him,
stopped short when he saw Rose. then
strobe over to her angrily.
This ain't no place for yov," he
OILY mon here. Go to your room at
once"
II shall stay right where I am.
father" she replied calmly.
"What?-what's that? Indeed. you
won't stay here; I forbid It."
You have no authority" She looked
at him cody. and settled back in he,
wen see about that. Here. sheriff.
conduct this lady out where she be-
Il told her that she might stay here,
and n may unless the Judge orders
differently"
Squire Myers. are you going to al
low women spectators In this court?
I don't care to have my daughter here
during the trial."
81 have important testimony. very
important testimony" she said
let her stay" The old man
dropped into his seat with a look on
his face Of mingled wrath and appre-
hension.
The justice took his place at the
head Of the dining room table, and ar
ranged half a dozen sheep bound vol
umes before him.
Let the prisoners be brought in.".
he said.
There was a moment Of silence. then
the entrance Of the sheriff, the three
prisoners and the six deputies. Jim.
erect and alert. cast q curious glance
his eye fell on Rose. A tide Of color
leaped to his face and ebbed as
quickly, leaving 1t deathly pale. Rose
gave no sign: h sat motionless and
impasslve. Then the group seated it
self at the end Of the table opposite
the Justice.
The trial, like all rural hearings,
was to be an informal affair. The
charge was to be brought against the
prisoners. each was to have a chance
to speak for himself, and then the
justice was to bind them over to, app
pear at the next term Of court. He
announced in due form the nature Of
the three cases. The first would be
that Of James Farthing. charged with
breaking and entering the postofice
in Sugar valley, and causing the death
Of Karl Keichline. the postmaster.
lcontsnued Next Wsskl
-- -
Ignorance Aids Appetite.
From the Washington Post.
Merrill e. Gates, secretary OF the
board Of Indian commissioners. was de-
scribing the splendid work that his
II 5000 ,f- see
losis scourge which at ono time threat
ened to make the American Indiansex-