The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-01-27

Tnere was a moment of tense 81
1ence, then a broad-shouldered man in
the IA rank pushed his way through
the line in front, took two steps for
ward and stood attention. The war
den and the prison officials stared.
The prisoner who stepped forward
was known as John Gregory.
Il am Peter Halsbury," he said,
quietly. II would like to speak to my
father when he returns"
Thatsafternoon father and son con
versed for a short twenty minutes in
the visitors room, but while they
were bidding each other an affection
ate farewell, the Law was busy. The
warden of Entwala penitentiary com
municated the fact Of the resurrec-
tion of Peter Halsbury to the author
tiles, and those authorities were busy
looking up records to see If Peter
was wanted for some other offense.
And the Law did not seek in vain.
Peter Halsbury had slipped twice
from the path of virtue, but for the
first slip he did not pay a penalty be-
cause the Law was not familiar with
his whereabouts. Thus it came to
pass that same train that took old
Halsbury west to die. carried his son
to the county seat to stand his trial
for an offense committed two years
previous.
The attorney for the people who
conducted the prosecution Of Peter
Halsbury made a brilliant effort in
stating the case to the jury. The
crowd in the courtroom shuddered
as they listened to the remarkable
manner in which retribution followed
the evildoer.
'"This man." cried the attorney, "has
been a fugitive from justice for two
years. But justice is su~refooted and
tireless, gentlemen. Emerson has
said that crime and punishment grow
upon the one stalk and the hand that
plucks the M will surely gather the
other. Halsbury's case is an example.
He was an inmate of Entwala peniten-
tiary under the assumed name of
Gregory, but by a curious little hap
pening, one Of those little incidents
that upset the best plans of criminals,
his real name became known, and he
was dragged to the bar of Justice"
The courtroom applauded the effort
Of the prosecuting attorney when he
%ool> h3c cno< of%or dorordipu a vor-
dict Of guilty, but the prisoner sat
grim and defiant. The presiding judge
asked If he had any defense, but he
shook his head sadly. An attempt to
defend himself seemed q mere waste
of words to Peter Halsbury at that
moment. The jury retired and in three
minutes returned with a verdict Of
guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced
to four years Imprisonment.
In the little corridor where the SEN
fenced prisoners waited before being
conveyed to the Jail, an inquisitive Of
ftcer who had listened to the trial In
quired how the authorities had dis
covered Halsbury's real name. and
the prisoner told the story Of his
fathers visit.
II don't mind four years." he said,
''but II my old dad knew ! got it
through owning up to my real mans
for the sake Of q twenty-minute chat
with him. It would about end him."
The officer took out his tobacco pouch
and passed some Of its contents to the
prisoner as they moved forward.
There's no need to, tell you to
keep your mouth shut about me Civ
ing you this tobacco" he whispered.
You're made Of good stun II you have
slipped a cog"
And the heart of Peter Halsbury
was comforted much By the sur
ance.