The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-11-13

were the judge before whom the
} prisoner was tried. the prisoner him.
self and his daughter. who sat beside
him. When the time came for the
sentence TO be passed Sierra stood M
to receive II, but was so weak that
his daughter supported him.
Jose Sierra" said the judge, "do
you remember a man who once ston.
I ped at your hacienda and whom Won
endeavored to seduce from his al.
legiance to that government which
now exists, but was then struggling
for its exlstenceY
IL do"
And do you remember having given
him choice between accepting an
appointment under the Diaz govern
ment and a trial for treason, which
meant deathY
Il do"
"But the man escaped. You remem.
Der that, too, don't you?"
IL do"
You never knew how he managed
to pass the guards you threw around
your hacienda on every available
routeT'
IL did not"
1T would not have then been best
for you to know this, nor is it now.
but the assistance your prisoner re-
ceived at that time is Of great impor-
lance to you now. Had It not been
for that assistance another victim
would have been added to the one
Tor shooting whom you have Just been
adjudged guilty"
All this was puzzle TO those pres.
ent except the prisoner and his daugh-
ter. The judge spoke with evident
emotion. The prisoner seemed deeply
moved. His daughter as the address
proceeded wound her arms tighter
about her father. There was an i'm
pressiveness TO the scene that held the
audience spellbound. When the Judge
began to speak every one thought that
he was about to give another instance
than the one before the court why the
prisoner should suffer death. When
he entered upon the last matter he
mentioned all were thrown into q
state OF doubt as to what was coming.
I'VE are entering in Mexico" he
continued, "upon new age-an age
ushered In for the civilized world by a
former president Of the United States
at the close Of the greatest rebellion
the world has ever seen. For that in
surrection not drop of blood was
spilled after the surrender. l have
been given discretion by my govern
ment as to the punishment to be met
ed out for acts that occurred during a
period when every mans hand was
against every other man. 1t Is not
meet in this age, when universal peace
Is dawning for the world, that Mexico
should remain in barbarism. The acts
OF the troublous times through which
we have recently moved belong to n
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
nets of revenge.
THE finding of the jury is set aside.
You are at liberty TO 20 free"
BY his address the Judge attempted
% prepare the feelings of those pres
mt for what had neither been expect
III nor desired. But the temper of the
PEOPLE was revengeful and had for
Iges been used to Il different principle.
few applauded, but the majority
There were those present
Who had suffered at the hands of the
nan to whom this magnanimous treat
nent had been accorded. They had
'rought the accusation that they might
e revenged-might revenge the dead
hey loved. They rebelled against the
ecision. Cries of "Hang himw "Shoot
inn" use the machetew were heard,
nd movement was made by the
1ost active toward the prisoner. The
ndge arose and, raising his hand, en-
lined silence.
I'm striking this man." he said, "you
rike the girl who loves him"
He struck those we lovedv' some
he cried.
Let me tell you one thing more, that
hich L spoke of, but did not speak.
gu remember that / mentioned the
cape of one whom the prisoner would
I'VE sacrificed. am that person"
silence followed this announce
ent. That the judge had set aside a
ntence of death upon the man who
ID intended TO take his life filed
ose present with wonder He had
cured their attention. He went
ep further.
1 VIII tell You how I escaped. L
re my life to that GIRL" pointing.
he 1t was who gave me disguise
q drove me through her fathers
ards. risling her life for mine. Had
been discovered that the person sit
e beside her was the rebel they
re watching for she would have
nbtless been sacrificed. If you strike
n you strike her, and through her
i strike me, who have done my part
establish the governement under
ich we now hope for peace and pros
'ity."
he crisis had come and turned In
'or OF the judge. Those who had
POSED his decision stood looking sui