Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-10-02
By VAUGHAN KESTER

est obstacle IN the way OF its sane
toned manifestation Colonel Fen
tress comes here with that high sane
ton" He bowed again tremendously
to the colonel Il repeat, / respect his
dependence upon the lawi" lie whirled
suddenly. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
rington-I call upon you to arrest
John Mnrrell! / do this by virtue OF
the authority vested in me as a Judge
OF the United States federal court.
His crime--a mere trifie, my friends
passing counterfeit money Colonel
Fentress will inform you that this is
a violation of the law which falls
within my Jurisdiction" and he
beamed blandly on Fentress.
''It's liel" cried the colonel.
You'll answer for that later!" said
the judge. with abrupt austerity OF
tone.
For all we know you may be some
fugitive from justice!-Why. your
name isn't Price,"
Are you sure OF that?" asked the
Judge quickly.
You're an impostor! Your name
is TurbcrYille!"
Permit me TO relieve your appre-
tensions II 10 Turberville who has
received the appointment Would you
like TO example my credentials?-l
have them by memo? | am obliged
for your Introduction. It could not
have come at more timely moment.
The judge seemed to dismiss Fentress
contemptuousiy. Once more he faced
the packed benches. Put down your
weaponsi" he commanded. This man
Murrell will not be released. At the
first effort at rescue he will be shot
where he sits--we have sworn this
plotting Is at an end" lie stalked
nearer the benches. Not one chance
In thousand remains TO him. Either
he dies here or be lives TO be taken
before every Judge in the state. II
necessary. until we find one with cour-
age to try him! Make no mistake
II will best conserve the ends OF JUS
tice to allow the state courts turis-
diction In this case: and | pledge my
self to furnish evidence which will
start him well on his road 90 the gal
lows!" The Judge, a tremendous pres
ence. stalked still nearer the benches
Outfacing the crowd. a sense OF the
splendor of the part he was being
called upon 70 play flowed through
him like some elixir; he felt that he
was transeending himself, that his in
SEPARATION was drawn from the hidden
springs OF the spirit. and that ne
could neither falter nor go astray
You don't know what you are med
ding with This man has plotted to
lay the south In ruins-he has been
arming the negroes--it Is incredible
that you should all know this--to
such | say. so home and thank God
for your escape! For the others
his shaggy brows met in a menacing
frown-"if they force our hand We
viii toss them John Murrells dead
carcass-thats our answer to their
challenger"
lie strobe out among the gun muz-
zles which wayered where they still
covered him. He was thinking OF Ma.
haffy Mahaify who had said he was
still man to be reckoned with.
DO you know what a servile insur-
rection means?--you men who have
wives and daughters, have you
thought of their fate? OF the mon
strous savagery TO which they would
be exposed? DO you believe he could
limit and control It? Look at him!
Why. he has never had considera-
tion outside OF his own safety. and yet
he expects you TO risk your necks to
save his He would have left the
state before the first blow was struck
his business was all down river
but we are going TO keep him here TO
answer for his crimes! The law. as
implacable as II is impartial. has put
Its mark on him--the shadow in
which he sits is the shadow of the
gallowsl"
Tho judge paused. but the only
sound In that expectant silence was
the heavy breathing of men lie drew
cts unwieldIy form erect. while RE
voice rumbled on, aggressive and
threatening in its every intonetion
You are here to defend something
that no longer exists, Your organ
ization is wrecked. your signals and
passwords are known. your secrets
have become public property can
even produce list of your members:
there are none or you who do not
stand In Imminent peril--yet under,
stand. | have no wish 10 strike nj
those who have been misled or
coereed into Joining Murrells band"
The judges sodden old face glowed
now with the magnanimity OF his sen.