Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-01-05
TO receive II, but was SO weak that
his daughter summarized him.


him a choice between accepting an
appointment under the Diaz govern
ment and trial for treason, which
meant deathT
Il do"
But the man escaped. You remem-
Der that, too. don't your"
IL do"
you never knew how he managed
t. pass the guards you threw around
your hacienda on every available
reuter-
II did not"
ut would not have then been best
for you to know this, nor is 1t now,
but the assistance your prisoner re-
celved at that time is Of great impor-
lance to you now. Had 1t not been
for that assistance another victim
would have been added to the one
for shooting whom you have just been
adJudged guilty.
All this was a 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 a
state Of doubt as to what was coming.
I'VE are entering In Mexico" he
continued, upon new AEGEAN age
ushered in for the civilized world by q
former president of the United States
at the close OF the greatest rebellion
the world has ever seen. For that In
surrection not u 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 O
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
Of the troublous times through which
we have recently moved belong to
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 at liberty to go 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 different principle
A few applauded. but the majority
grumbled. There were those present
who had suffered at the hands of the
man to whom this magnanimous treat
ment had been accorded. They had
brought the accusation that they might
be revenged-might revenge the dead
they loved. They rebelled against the
decision. Cries of Hang him. "Shoot
him" use the machetew were heard, |
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 ! spoke of. but did not speak. |
You remember that | mentioned the |
escape OF one whom the prisoner would |
have sacrificed. l am that person
A silence followed this announce
ment. That the Judge had set aside
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 o
step further.
81 will tell you how | escaped |
owe my life TO that girl" pointing.
'She 1t was who gave me disguise
and drove me through her fathers
guards. risking her life for mine. Had
1t been discovered that the person sit
ting beside her was the rebel they |
were watching for she would have
doubtless been sacrificed. II you strike
him you strike her. and through her
you strike me. who have done my part
to establish the governement under
which we now hope for peace and pros
perity."
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 OF 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
hand In hers and kissed II. Her
father stood with folded arms looking
at vacancy. A short time before he
had been expecting death. He was
now conscious only that his life had
been spared and he feared nothing.
There Is n sequel to this story, but
this IL not the place for It. indeed.
the events narrated happened too re-
Gently for II TO be finished roma nee.
One thing Is certain. This renouncIng