Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-13

d. SsFW s%+3SSS ~S sSTTs~TTE fs
ton that, Mr.. District Attorney?
MANY : night; ahe passed by Egan's
saloon, whereI1 hung out, an slipped
some money into my hand. Instead OF
thankin' her, I'd invite the boys in an
leave her standin' 1t the curb.
Then l was sent up for breakin'
into Story's house. Do you think she
a s'ashamed Of her drunken, thievin'
brute of q SON? No. sir! She went
everywhere begin them to let me go
"Yes. an paid for n Of the. best
lawyers in the country. though il
didn't do no good. Then she worked
like a niger to bring me papers an
tobaccer an things to eat. An ulster
snarl at he" FOR not leavip' me alone"
The prisoner looked down at the
little limp figure.
That's what got me to thinkin'
What did i ever do for her except t.
make her life miserable an bring
shame on her? One day she tripped
as she was goin' out Of my cell, an J
caught her in my arms and kissed her
Then she smiled up at me through
her tears until
"Aw, YOU wouldn't understand. But
I did, an as soon az she a outside
the bars ! got down on my knees an
prayed-prayed, mind you--that she
might live until / was free 50 / could
work for her an show her how fell
about her now.
Every time she came after that she
looked thinner an older. Once wher
she didn't come at the regular time !
thougkt-the thing had happened. But
she came. AMI was happy.
"The day they let me so. we took a
trip to Coney Island. AM J felt like 9
kid. I guess she was happy or she
wouldn't have told ME. That Ede'man
had squeezed fifty dollars ont Of hel
as hush money. Told her he'd saneal
on me like he did before II she, didn't
cough up. ,E.
2"Thah, after be got the money, he
faxed ny that Lynn statement TO seef
ne in stripes because he was afraid
OF me. II I'd gone straight home the
detectives were ready to- pi1ca me.
But ! didn't. I went to the ~scoundrel
ar ordered him to hand back the
money. He pulled bis gun or me. an
I let him have mine right IN his grin.
min face. Then the cops came
Lord, when you're down you're always
downi
"Now you're goner send me back
now, when I was ready to do a. mans
work-now, when I wanted to slave
for her as she did for me
San you won't let mel" he shrieked.
pounding wildly on the rail. I'm 50
much scum an flth to be swept down
in the sewer where I belong. But what
about her. What's she ever done to
be punished? She amt got a bit Of
strength left nor a place to go nor q
soul to take care of her" 80
Turning to the Judge, he flung out
his wasted HAMS.
"Icn't send me away" he cried.
"pcn't you believe me? Just let me
work for her till-she dies, an then
you can do what YOU want with me-
I said l wasn't beggin' off. am, judge!
I am-here, On my knees.
Gimme q chance to prove I'm IN
earnest-only a year. What more can
I say! You're old yourself. Look at
her, Judge. Look at her old clothes
an worn-out face. I did 1t. I've kjl!ed
her. Her face will be before INC night
an day. L" Yin
The prisoner. threw his head on his
arms and leaned against the rail IL q
hrddled heap. The members OF the
jury, in various cramped attitudes
stared at the floor or out the win
dov,s. Throughout the court room was
deep silence, broken here, and there
by a spasnodlc sob.
Presently the little old woman tot
tered toward the prisoners box n
reached up her bony hands from I'M
der her shawl. AS. she felt his con,
vulsive grasp, she pressed her wasted
cheeks against his arm and CRIED soft
ly.
"Its all right. old lady" he muttered
hoarsely without looking up. Stop II
now. Don't take on-dont." s.
The whispering died away as the
Judge looked UP from the brief on
which he had been tracing patterns,
cleared his throat several times, and
frowned.
In accordance. with the verdict Of
the court" he commenced. and then
paused to cough. TN accordance with
the verdict-that is to say-in view Of
ex~tenuating circumstances sentence
is suspended"
There was a general shuf'ing Of feet
and chairs as the large audience rose
to depart.
In short while the Dom was empty
save for two figures at the dock.
Presently the man got up from hi
knees.
Come, mother" he said gently
wed better be goin' home"
a". L,-A- ~ ..