Catoctin clarion., 1910-01-20
HIS GOOD NAME,
Rx HARRY c ERNEST.


cation
Van Rustle was gentleman who
had struck streak of bad luck. lie
wore IA threadbnre suit. hat with a
hole In the top. and his trousers were
much fruyed Nevert heless he prided
himself that gentleman is always
gentleman even IN rags and his own
breeding would always be recognized
And II was recognized SO long as b,
lived where he had been born and
brought UP But Van -Rastle conciud
ed to try his luck In the wild west. and
when he came to that country. where
pedigree Is not considered, he found
himself on the same social basis as a
stage driver or Il 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 ID
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 few moments the
light had become Il square. In the cen
ter Of which was crOuching figure. 1t
rnwled into the cabin and had Its
hand on what few dollars Van Rastle
possessed when the matter came to a
crisis by Van Raste 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 you
been tryin' to rob this man for?
"Hain't | got right to plead guilty
or not guilty?" asked the prisoner.
"Oh, you been tried so many times
you know lot about law. don't you"
Reckon | pleads not guilty.
"How air you goin to prove sich rot
as thatY
81 don't need to prove 1t. You got
to prove that robbed him."
"Waal. that's easy Step up. Mr.
ivan Rastle," the witness supple
mented with some of his former pride
In his name.
whats that fust part Of itT'
cyan"
well. Mr.. Dan Hustler. tell how
this galoot robbed you
Il heard y step Without
"TIow didn't you know 1t wasn't a
painterY interrupted the accused,
Then my door opened continued
the witness. "and | saw the figure OF
the prisoner"
How did you know 1t was mer
He crawled in and had his hand on
my money"
His money, jedge! Jes' IS If mis-
able lookin coyote like that ever mad
any money!"
Mr.. Van Rastle WINGED.
IL ordered MIN to throw up his
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.
"rhen | marched him down here to
Empire and turned him In to the com
mittee"
II tole you. TON Baker" said the
judge sternly, "it was easy nun to
prove you done It,"
"Mightn't | have the witness" asked
the prisoner.
Have the witness! No. You got his
money What dyou want him fur"
~ wanter cross examine him."
-"Oh! More law talk, eh2 Well. go
ahead"
whats yer name. Dan"
"Peter Stuyvesant Van Rastle.'
"D'ye hear that jedge? 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 Jail. 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 sich case. Tom Ba-
ker. You was caught in the act"
"Who caught me! This yere rustler
saws hp caught me. but how you goin'
to believe him? Hain't my word g
good as hisn?"
The judge looked puzzled.
"Tom Baker" he said presently.
"what d you go and mix me all up
fur?"
Il didn't mix you up. iedge. jist
set you right. How do you know what
crimes he's committed?"
The judge looked at Van Rastle sus'
piciously
stranger" he said. ''hev you-hev
you
He paused He was trying to say
something that he couldn't get out
Then.a sudden thought struck him
TON Baker" he said. ''you go long.
And If ever you are brought up before
this we're court agin I'll turn YOU over
to the committee to lift you where the
grass IS too short fer yer toes to tread
on"
The prisoner went away jnbilant,
Van Rastle, .lismayed at the course the
trial had taken. stood irresolnte wheth-
er to make protest ar go to his cabin
without saving anything After all
bur he and the judge had left the room
the judge said to him.
dan Rustler. want to explain.
That Tom Bakers one the sharpcSf