The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-05-08

Oh tHe tulu iun tIp. IpbitSiJ, 10 ttZZIc |
the minds Of the poor and inflame
the lusts of the criminal
"Do we believe that snch things are
the Tecrees Of a Just and loving God
who created this world? These things
are not the result Of his law. but the
results Of the violation Of law"
The speaker paused. drew close to
the jr, and then in low. inlpassiOnetl
tone, d us If he were talking to Il
fathc' go story of Woodlands life and |
the events which drove him to madness
on the T. night OF his crime In
iastc~ "f 4 'loIuence he described
the ma:.n ,,.>..'t ball and drew in som
Der. heartbrrakins contrast the deso!a
ton and .le">~ir Of Il proud and sens
man m = desperate by want and
he r :, who had given his blood
country and his daily life in III,
..:n ministry to the homeless and
fl endless.
Il do Lot ask of your honor" he
cried in ringing tones. ''tlIe repeal of
the law against theft-thou shalt not
steal. only ask the suspension of
its penalty on this heartbrokcn man
until we can extend it to his opprcssorS
as WE'LL until its thunder shall ais"
echo through the palaces Of the rich
thou shalt not steal.
"rhe man who has fallen was weak
and poor. The man who demands his
life is rich and powerful. ! ask for
heartbroken man another chance. !
ask this court to suspend all sentence
against the poor bruised and bleeding
spirit that lies in tears 1T our feet
today"
The Judge wheeled In his armchair.
cleared his throat and looked out OF the
window to hide from the crowd
tear that had stolen down his furrOwc1
cheek.
He turned ut length to Biveny law
ycrs and quietly asked:
''rhc state insists on the enforcement
Of sentence without mercy|'
| "Absdlutely." was the sharp answer.
This is your desire. Mr.. BivensT'
the Judge asked with some severity.
EYES," the tnancier fierccly replied.
| Nuu SCt you SsiS lAdI w" "iC -
Christian. Well. see to it. Your Mas
ter says:
"'IIe that saith l love God and
hateth his brother is liar Henry
Woodman. stand up! The Judgment
Of this court is that sentence in your
case he suspended so long as you obey
the law.
"And I may say to you. Henry
Woodman, that my faith is profound
that you will never appear in this
court again. And If you ever need the
help of friend you'll find one if you
come to me. You are free man."
Stuart hurried the doctor out OF the
crowd. He had important work yet
to do. He determined that no story
Of the scene should ever be printed in
a New York paper. He would save
Harriet that too.
AS the court adjourned Bivens ours
ed his lawyers In a parOxysm of help
less rage Then he suddenly threw
his hand to his forehead. staggered
and sank to tho floor.
A doctor who was near rushed to his
side and lifted his head into his wife's
arms
what is it? Has he tainted, doc
tor?" she whispered, glancing toward
the door through which Stuart had
just passed.
"Hc has had stroke OF paralysis.
madam. fear" was the answer.
Stuart's appeal to the New York y"
pers in behalf of Harriet was success.
full For week he bought ever.
morning and evening edition and read
them eagerly. Not line appeared L"
darken the life of his little pal.
Bivcns' illness shook the financial
world. The men who had prOfesscd
their friendship most loudly to his face
now sharpened their knives for his
wounded body. Every stock with
which his name was linked was the
target Of the most savage attacks.
The tumbling of values in his securi
: ties carried down the whole market
from five to six points in single day
The great palace that had few
nights before blazed with lights and
{ echoed with music. laughter. song
, and dance and clinking glasscs, stood
7 dark and silent behind Its bristlinl
iron fence.
Within the darkened pnlace the
doctors were supreme. In his grea,
. library they held consultation after
consultation and secretly smiled whel
, they thought of the figures they woulf
| I,sc 1icOu n
: details, but all agreed on the mail
3 conclusion-that the only hope was
J. that he shauld quit work and play fo
!. several years.
When they made this solemn an
. nouncement to Bivens. he smiled TO
: joke. How could he play? He knew
= but one game, the big game Of th
man hunt. He told his doctors h
would 30 to Europe and see II ther
were doctors ever there who kne;
= anything.
The shaking. miserable little igur
:. staggered up the gansplank Of.
. steamer. He made brave show G
:. strength to the reporters VIII
:. swarmed about him for an !ntervie'
and collapsed in the arms of his vii
on reaching his staterooms.
He had forgotten his resentment Q
account Of Woodman in the present
= Of the Great Terror. whose shade
. had suddenly darkened the world.
: The young lawyer had said goodl
to Nan with a sense Of profound r
:. lief. From the bottom of his soul
= thanked God she WAS going away.