Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-01-26
HIS GOOD NAME,
az HARRY c. ERNEST.


Van Rastie was gentleman who
had struck streak Of bad luck He
wore a threadbare suit. bat with q
hole In the top. and his trousers were
much frayed Nevertheless he prided
himself that a gentleman IL always q
gentleman even tn rags and his own
| breeding would always be recognized
And 1t was recognized 20 long ~ be
lived where be had been born and
brought up But Van Rastle conciud-
ed to Try his luck In the Wild west and
! when be came to that country. where
pedigree Is not considered, be found
himself on the same social basis ~
stage driver or q cowboy.
Van Rastle was prospecting on Clear
creek, In Colorado, or. rather. be was
digging for a mine be thought be had
| struck One night while sleeping in
the little cabin he had thrown togeth-
er for temporary protection be was
awakened by the sound Of footsteps
| without Presently he saw where his
| door was a streak of perpendicular
HIGHT 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 q 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 4 western court
room. the judge sitting on the typical
dry goods box. The prisoner. an III
favored young man with crafty eye.
stood apart The judge addressed the
prisoLer:
Nov, then, Tom Baker. what Jon
been tryin' to rob this man for?
~Hain't got right to plead guilty
or not guiltyY asked the prisoner.
"Oh, you been tried 30 many times
you know q lot about Law. don't your
Reckon pleads not guilty."
"How air you goin' to prove sich rot
as thatY'
Il don't need to prove it 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 it?'
"van"
"Wen, Mr.. Dan Hustler, tell how
this galoot robbed you"
Il heard a step without
How didn't you know 1t wasn't .
painter?' interrupted the accused
Then my door opened" continued
the witness. '.and saw the figure Of
the prisoner"
"How did you know It was mer
HE crawled in and had his hand on
my money"
Ills money, jedge! Jes' 3 II a mis-
able lookin' coyote like that ever had
any money!
Mr.. Van Rastle WINGED.
Il ordered him to throw up his
hands. He did 50. and, grabbing him
by the collar
"Jedge. he's got to prove had
coat on! l 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
Il tole you, Tom Baker" said the
Judge sternly. 1T 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 d'you want him furT
Il wanter cross examine him"
Xy~yl
| ahead"
whats yer name, Dan"
"Peter Stuyvesant Van Rastle."
'D'ye hear that. jedge? He admits
he's by occupation rustier."
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 l 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 awayT
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 g
| good as hisnT
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, jedge. 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.