The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-01-07
HIS GOOD NAME.
BY HARRY c. ERNEST.


wore threadbare suit, hat with a
hole In the top, and his trousers were
much fiNyed Nevertheless he prided
himself that gentleman is always a
gentleman even in rags and his own
breeding would always be recognized.
And It was recognized SO long as be
lived where he had been born aud
brought up But Van Rastle conclud-
ed to try bis luck IN the wild west aud
when he came 20 that country. where
pedigree is not considered, he found
himself on the same social basis as a
stage driver or a cowboy.
Van Rastle was prospecting on Clear
creek. 10 Colorado, or. rather he was
digging for mine he thought he had
struck. One night while sleeping ID
The little cabin be had thrown togeth.
er for temporary protection be was
awakened by the sound Of footsteps
without Presently be saw where his
door was a streak Of perpendicular
light and knew that the door was be-
ing opened. In a few moments the
light had become a square. 10 the cen
ter Of which was a crouching figure It
crawled into the cabin and had its
hand on what few dollars Van Rastle
possessed when the matter came to q
crisis BY Van Rastle ordering him to
throw up his hands.
The next scene was a western court
room. the Judge sitting on the typical
dry goods box. The prisoner, an III
favored young man with a crafty eye.
stood apart. The judge addressed the
prisoner:
Now, then, Tom Baker. what you
been tryin' to rob this man forg7
"Hain't got right to plead guilty
or not guilty7" asked the prisoner
ooh. you been tried 50 many times
you know q lot about law. don't your
Reckon / pleads not guilty"
How air you goin to prove sich rot
as that?r
II don't need to prove It. You got
to prove that robbed him"
"Waal, that's easy Step up, Mr.
Van Rastle,r the witness supple |
mented with some OF his former pride
in his name
whats that fust part Of itg'
"van.p
"Well, Mr.. Dan Hustler, tell how
this galoot robbed you
Il heard a step without
"How didn't you know It wasn't q
painterY interrupted the accused.
"Then my door opened, continued
the witness. "and / saw the figure Of
the prisoner"
How did you know it was meT
HE crawled In and had his hand on
my money"
"His money. Jedgel Jes' Is If a mis-
able loaixin coyote like that ever had
any money!
Mr.. Van Rastle WINGED
y ordered him to throw up his
heads He did 90, and, grabbing him
BY the collar
ledge he's got TO prove ! bad
coat oni haiu't got no coat and nary
collar to my shirt"
~rhen I marched bim down here TO
Empire aud turned him in TO the com
mittee."
Il tole you, rom Baker, said the
judge sternly 1T was easy 'nuG e
prove you done fl"
"Mighn't have the witness z asked
the prisoner.
"Have the witnessl No You got his /
money What d'you want him furg
n wanter cross examine himD
"Ohl More law talk, ehs Well, 60
ahead
whats yer name, Dang'
fFeter stuyyesant Van Rastle,'
"D'ye hear that Jedgel BE admits
he's BY occupation a rustler
Then followed questions as to the \
witness age place Of residence IL. !
deed everything the prisoner could
think Of Finally the judge stopped
the questioning with
You. Tom Baker shet up! Yer
thinkin you air a-runnin this case IL.
; Head o me. How many times you been
in jatgo
"s'pose hev been Ii jail. iedge
Didn't you never read any stories 10 {
the newspapers tellin how an inner
cent man went 20 jail because one o
bis pals turned states evidence and
swore him awayg
''This hain't 40 sieh case. Tom Ba-
ker You was caught ID the act"
who caught me2 This we're rustler
says lie caught me, but how you goiu' .
to believe him2 Hain't my word s
good as hisn" q
The judge looked puzzled. Is
tom Baker. he said presently
"what d you 50 aud mix me al up
furga
4 didn't mix you Up. 5edge | jist
set you right How do you know what /
crimes he's committed 2" II
The Judge looked At Van Rastle sus Z
piciousig
stranger" he said. ''hev you-hev Z
you
He paused He was trying 70 say z
something that be couldn't get out
Then i Sudden thought struck him
TON Baker" he said "you 80 long Z
And If ever you are brought up before
this yere court agin III turn you over
to the committee 70 lift You where the
grass 8 too short fer yer toes to tread
on
The prisoner went away jubilant
Van Rastle. dismayed at the course the
trial had taken, stood irresolute wheth
er to make protest or 50 TO bis cabin
without saying anything After Ell
but he and the Judge had left the room