The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-10-02

~ =
often from the face he studied to the
marshars badge upon the other's
breast.
Yes, yes: you'll be all right" said
| the old woman. patting his arm. IF
you don't get to cuttin' up ag'in and
havin' folks shootin' ut you. Son told
me about you. sir. while you was lay.
in senselesS on the floor. Don't you
| take il as meddeSOme fer an old wu-
man with a son as big as you to talk
about it. And you mustn't hold no
erudge ng'in my son for havin' to
shoot mt you. A officer has got to take
up for the llws-it's his duty-and them
that acts bad and lives wrong has to
suffer. Don't blame my son any, sir
| faint his fault. He's always been
good boy good when he was GROWN
up and kind and 'bedient and well be-
| haved Won't you let me advise you
sir. not to do so no more? Be good
man and leave liquor alone and live
peaceably and cody"
| The black mittened hand of the old
pleader gently touched the breast OF
the man she addressed. Very earnest
and candid her old, worn face locked
In her rusty black dress and antique
bonnet she sat. near the close of
long life, and epitomized the expert
ence of the world Still the man to
whom she spoke gazed above her head.
contemplating the silent son of the old
mother.
"What does the marshal say?' he
asked Does he believe the advice is
good? Suppose the marshal speaks up
and says If the talks all right?'
The tall man moved uneasily. He
| fingered the badge on his breast for q
moment, and then he put an arm
| around the old woman and drew her
close TO him.
81 says this" he said, looking square
~ into the eyes of the other man. that
If I was in your place I'd follow it. 1t
I was a drunken, desperate character,
without shame or hope. I'd follow 1T.
If | was in your place and you was
in mine I'd say: Marshal, I'm willin'
to swear If you'll give me the chance
1 a
glefoot and the gun play and won't
play boss no more. I'll be a good
citizen and go to work and quit my
foolishness. So help me Godn That's
what I'd say to you if you was mar
| shall and was in your place"
Hear my son talkin'," said the old
woman softly Hear him. sir. You
promise to be good and he won't do
you no harm. Forty-one year ago his
heart first beat ag'in mine. and it's
beat true ever since"
| The other man rose to his feet. trying
his limbs aud stretching his muscles.
Then" said he. IF you was in my
place and said that and was mar
shall I'd say. Go free and do your best
to keep your promise.
"Lawsy." exclaimed the old woman
in a sudden fiutter ''ef | didn't clear
forget tIat trunk of mine. | see a
! man settin' it on the platform jest as
[ seen sons face in the window. and
it went plum out of my head. There's
eight Jars of homemade ounce jam
in that trunk that | made myself.
wouldn't have nothin' happen to them
/ jars for a red apple
Away to the door she trotted. spry
and anxious. and then Calliope Cateshy
spoke out to Buck Patterson:
/ II just couldn't help it. Buck. | seen
her through the window a-eomin in.
She never had heard word bout my
tough ways. | didn't have the nerve to
let her know was worthless cuss
bein hunted down by the community.
There you was lynn where my shot
laid you. like you was dead. The idea
struck me sudden, and just took your
badge off and fastened it on to myself.
/ and I fastened nv renntation on to YOU.