The Mena weekly star., 1913-03-06

I
 to the colonel. T repeat. I respect bis
 dependence upon the law!" He whirled
 suddenly. sh-Yancy-Car-
 rlngton-I call upon you to arrest 1 John Murrell! 1 do this by yirtne of
 the authority vested in me as a iudqe
 of the United States federal court
 His crime-a mere tritie, my friends passing counterfeit money! Colonel Fentress will inform you that this is violation of the law which falls
 within my jurisdiction" and he Deamed blandly on Fentress.
 Its lie!'' 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 Tvrbervillel"
 Permit me to relieve your appre- hensions. It is Turberville who has received the appointment Would you like to examine my credentials ?-l nave them by me-no? I am obliged for your introduction It could not nave come at more timely moment" The judge seemed to dismiss Fentress contemptuously. Once more he faced the packed benches. Put down your weapons! he commanded This man Murrell will not be released. At the nrst effort at rescue he will be shot where he sits-we have sworn it-his plotting is at an end" He stalked nearer the benches. Not one chance in a thousand remains to him. Either he dies here or he lives to be taken before every judge in the state. if necessary, until we find one with cour- age to try him! Make no mistake 1t wtA best conserve the ends of jus tice to allow the state courts juris- diction in this case; and I pledge my self to furnish evidence which will start him well on his road to the gal lows!" The judge, tremendous pres ence, stalked still nearer the benches Outfacing the crowd, a sense of the splendor of the part he was being called upon to play flowed through him like some elixir; he felt that he was transcending himself, that his in spiration was drawn from the hidden springs of the spirit, and that he 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 1 say, go home and thank God for your escape! For the others his shaggy brows met in a menacing frown-'if they force our hand we will toss them John Murrell's dead carcass-that's our answer to their challenger"
 He strode out among the gun mug zles which wavered where they still covered him. He was thinking of Ma haffy-Mahaffy who had said he was still a man to be reckoned with. For the comfort of his own soul he was proving it.
 Do you know what servile insur- rection means ?-you men who have wives and daughters, have you thought of their fate? Of the mon strous scyagery to which they would be exposed? Do you believe he could limit and control it? Look at him. Why. he has never had a considera- tion outside of his own safety, and yet he expects you to risk your necks to save hisi 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 iap!acable as 1t is impartial, has put it's mark on him-the shadow in which he sits is the shadow of the .auows!"
 The judge paused, but the only ound in that expectant silence was Ae heavy breathing of men. He drew lis unwieldly form erect, while his
 oice rumbled on, aggressive and hreatening in it's every intonation. You are here to defend something
 aat no longer exists. Your organ zauon is wrecked, your signals and passwords are known, your secrets ave become public propertyI can
 ven produce list of your members;
 here are none of you who do not stand in imminent peril-yet under stand, I have no wish to strike at those who have been misled or coerced into joining Murrelrs bandl" The judges sodden old face g.om now with the magnanimity of his sel tinents. But l have no feeling
 mercy for your leaders. none for Mg' rell himself Put down your guns! you can ouly kill us after we hay. filled Mulrell-but you can't ki' ti this room and hour, on whose heac will the punishment fall?" He swung round his ponderous arm in Q. sweep ins gesture and shook fat but eN lressive fore-fng2r in the faces those nearest him. "On yours-aa y.irs--and yours!'
 Aeroes the space that separate. hem the jucge grinned his triumgi at his enemy He had known whe, Fetfess entered sLe room thet j
 c-d or sign from him would pre- .,.te 6 li9t. but he ka, < ION -ha
 fftr th,s word nor this siga wou given. Then cuite suddenly h
 'r,1e down the aisle, and foot D, ot Frni vi | ~sopnd hrsors s a4yau ?. < murdarons lighf r asd floa to juu ss G-oJd.,Ao.