Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-09-18

the world has ever seen. For that in
surrection not a drop Of blood was
spilled after the surrender. have
been given discretion by my govern
ment as to the punishment to be met
ed out for acts that occurred during
period when every mans hand was
against every other man. 1t Is not
meet in this age. when universal peace
is dawninS for the world. that Mexico
should remain in barbarism. The acts
of the troublous times through which
we have recently moved belong 10
dead past and should be buried with
that past. The act of which you have
been found guilty was repeated again
and again on both sides. That the
revolution has triumphed is no cause
for committing in the name of justice
acts OF revenge.
The finding of the jury is set aside.
You are ut liberty 10 so free"
By his address the judge attempted
TO prepare the feelings OF those pres
ent for what had neither been expect
ed nor desired. But the temper Of the
people was revengeful and had for
ages been used to Il different principle.
\ few applauded, but the majority
Erumbled. There were those present
who had suffered ut the hands OF the
man TO whom this magnanimous treat
ment had been accorded. They had
brought the accusation that they might
be reveaged-might revenge the dead
they loved. They rebelled against the
decision. Cries Of Hang him. ''Shoot
hnord
and a movement was made by the
most active toward the prisoner. The
judge arose and, raising his hand. en-
joined silence.
In striking this man." he said, you
strike the girl who loves him"
he struck those We loved"' some
one cried.
Let me tell you one thing more, that
which I spoke of. but did not speak.
You remember that l mentioned the
escape Of one whom the prisoner would
have sacrificed. l am that person"
\ silence followed this announce
ment. That the judge had set aside a
sentence of death upon the man who
had intended to take his life filled
those present with wonder. He had
secured their attention. He went a
step further.
u will tell you how I escaped. I
owe my life to that girl" pointing.
she il was who gave me a disguise
and drove me through her fathers
guards, risking her life for mine. Had
it been discovered that the person sit
ting beside her was the rebel they
were watching for she would have
doubtless been sacrificed. If you strike
him you strike her, ard through her
you strike me. who have done my part
to establish the GOvernement under
which we now hope for peace and pros
parity-"
The crisis HAD come and turned in
favor OF the judge. Those who had
opposed his decision stood looking sui
lenly on. while the others were won
over by his magnanimity and by
sympathy for the girl who had saved
his life The advocates of taking the
law into their own hands began TO
move away muttering, leaving only
those who had been converted to the
cause &c mercy. Those most sympa-
thetic gathered about the girl. whether
for her protection or in sympathy.
Then gradually the crowd melted
away and left the three principal par
Elephants in the drama.
COncia went TO the judge. took his
land in hers and kissed 1t. Her
father stood with folded arms looking
at vacancy. A short time before he
had been expecting death. he wa
now conscious only that his life had
I. !,
There is n sequel to this story, but
this is not the place for ii. Indeed.
the events narrated happened too re-
Gently for it TO be q finished romance.
one thing is certain. This renouncing
Of venge9 ace was brought about by
love.