The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-01-14
HIS GOOD NAME.
sx HARRY c. ERNEsT.

ciation.
Van Rastle was gentleman who
had struck streak of bad luck. he
wore a threadbare suit. a hat with u
hole in the top. and his trousers We're
much frayed. Nevertheless he prided
himself that gentleman is always Il
gentleman even In rags and his own
breeding would always be recognized.
And 1t was recognized so long as he
lived where he had been born and
brought up. But Van Rastle conclud
ed to try his luck in the wild west. and
when be came to that country, where
pedigree is not considered, he found
himself on the same social basis as
stage driver or cowboy.
Van Rastle was prospecting on Clear
creek. in Colorado or. rather, he was
digging for mine he thought he had
struck. One night while sleeping In
the little cabin he had thrown togeth-
er for temporary protection he was
awakened by the sound Of footsteps
without. Presently he saw where his
door was streak of perpendicular
light and knew that the door was be-
ing opened. In a few moments the
light had become square, in the cen.
ter Of which was crouching figure. 1t
crawled into the cabin and had its
hand on what few dollars Van Rastle
possessed when the matter came to
crisis by Van Rastle ordering him, to
throw up his hands.
The next scene was western court
room, the judge sitting on the typical
dry goods box. The prisoner, an Ill
favored young man with crafty eye.
stood apart. The judge addressed the
prisoner:
Now, then, Tom Baker, what yon
been tryin' to rob this man forT"
"Hain't | got a right TO plead guilty
or not guilty?" asked the prisoner
ooh, you been tried so many times
you know lot about law. don't your
Reckon pleads not guilty"
How air you goin' to prove SIGH rot
as thatF'
81 don't need TO prove it. You got
to prove that robbed him."
"WaaI, that's easy. Step up, Mr.
ivan Rastle," the witness supple
mented with some of his former pride
in his name.
What's that fust part of it?'
Van"
We'll. Mr. Dan Hustler, tell how
this galoot robbed you"
Il heard step Without
How didn't you know it wasn't
painter?" interrupted the accused.
Then my door opened" continued
the witness, land | saw the figure of
the prisoner"
How did you know 1t was meP'
He crawled in and had his hand on
my money"
His money, jedge! Jes' s if a mis-
able loollin coyote like that ever had
any money"
Mr. Van Rastle WINGED.
81 ordered him to throw up bis
hands. He did so, and, grabbing him
by the collar
"Jedge. he's got TO prove | had a
coat on! hain't got no coat and nary
collar to my shirt"
Then ] marched him down here to
Empire and turned him In to the com
mittee."
81 tole you, Tom Baker," said the
judge sternly, ut was easy 'nuff to
prove you done it."
"Mightn't | have the witness" asked
the prisoner
Have the witness! No. You got his
money. What d'you want him fur2"
81 wanter cross examine him"
"Oh! More law talk, Ell? Well, 60
ahead"
whats yer name. DanY'
"Peter Stuyvesant Van Rastle."
Dye hear that, tedge? He admits
he's by occupation rustler."
Then followed questions as to the
witness age. place Of residence-in-
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 In
stead o. me. How many times you been
in jail?"
"S'pose hev been in jan, jedge.
Didn't you never read any stories IN
the newspapers tellin' how an inner
cent man went to jail because one o
his pals turned states evidence and
swore him away"
This hain't no SIGH case, Tom Ba
ker. You was caught in the act"
"Who caught me? This yere rustler
says he caught me. but how you goin
to believe him? Hain't my word .
good as hisn?"
The Judge looked puzzled.
TON Baker" he said presently,
what d you go and mix me all up
fur?'
II didn't mix you up. jedge. jist
set you right. How do you know what
crimes he's cUmmittedT
The judge looked at Van Rastle sus-
piciously
Stranger" he said, "her you-hev
you
He paused. He was trying to say
something that he couldn't get out.
Then sudden thought struck him.
TON Baker" he said, you go long.
And If ever you are brought up before
this yere court ag'in I'll turn you over
to the committee to lift you where the
e. q
on"
The prisoner went away jubilant.
Van Rastle, dismayed at the course the
trial had taken, stood irresolute wheth-
er to make a protest or ge to his cabin
without saying anything. After all
but lie and the Judge had left the room
the Judge said to him
Dan RuStlcr. want to explain.
That Tom Bakers one the sharpest