The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-12-15


] ought to he able TO talk to western
men In n way they can appreciate. and
II there's anybody here that's not
western man--he couldn't understand
our style anyhow-he'd better go where
he's needed. for out west you need
only western men-like Brick wilcox.
for instance"
At reference to the well known Incl
dent of Alizzoo's attempt to drive Will
lock from the cove there was n sudden
wave of laughter. none the less hearty
because Mizzoo's face had flushed and
his mouth had opened shecpishly. But
at the recurrence Of Willock's name
the crowd grew serious They felt the
justice Of her claim that out west only
western men were needed: they ex-
cused her for thinking Brick a model
type. But let any one else hold him
up before them as model!
Lahoma's manner changed IL grew
deeper and more forceful
Men. ! want to talk to you about
this case. Will you be the jury? Con-
slider what kind of man swore out that
warrant against Brick-the leader of a
band of highwaymen, And who's his
chief witness? You don't know Mr..
Gledware | do. You've heard he's a
rich and influential citizen In the east.
That's true. But I'm going TO tell you
something to show what he is, and
what Brick Wilcox is-just one thing,
that's all I'll say about the character
of either. AS TO Red Eimball. you don't
have to be told. I'm not going to talk
about the general features of the case
as to whether Brick was ever high
wayman or not. as TO whether he kill
ed Reds brother to save me and my
stepfather. or did it in cold blood: as
to whether he held up the stage or not.
These things you've discussed You've
formed opinions about them. want
to tell you something you haven't
heard Will you listen?"
At first no one spoke. Then from the
crowd came Il measured impartial
voice: I'VE got lots of time"
She was not discouraged by the in
timation in the tone that all her speak.
ing was in vain and plunged into the
midst Of her narrative.
"One evening Brick came on de-
serted movers wagon. He'd travelled
all day with nothing to eat or drink.
and he got into the wagon to escape
the blistering sun. In there he found
a dead woman. stretched on her pallet
He had great curiosity to see her
face. so he began lifting the cloth that
covered her. He saw a pearl and onyx
pin at her throat. 1t looked like one
his mother used to wear. So he drop
ped the cloth and never looked ut her
face. She had died the evening before,
and he knew she wouldn't have wanted
any one to see her then. And he dug
a grave in the sand, though she was
nothing to him, and buried her-never
seeing her face-and covered the spot
with a great pyramid Of stones and
prayed for her little GIRL was her
little girl. The Indians had carried me
away. You'll say that was little
thing; that anybody would have bur
led the poor. helpless body. Maybe so.
But about not looking at her face
well. I DOM know. 1t was a little
thing. of course. but somehow 1t just
seems to show that Brick Wilcox
wasn't little-had something great In
his soul. you know. Seems to show
that he couldn't have been common
murderer. It's something you'll have
to feel for yourselves. Nobody could
explain 1t so you'd see If you don't un
derstand already"
The men stared at her. somewhat be-
wildered. saying nothing In some
breasts a sense of something delicate,
not to be defled. was stirred.