The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-03-01
He was the tenderfoot. the Hyphsn

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through 1t and went on into a side
room, which was used as pool parlor
The room was filed with practically
every man in Rio.
After entering Hawkins shut the
door and locked 1t. while the prisoner
looked about him uneasiiy.
This is your watch, amt 1t. Con
ner?" Doc demanded. dra wing It from
the tenderfoot's pocket
There was no question about It A
dozen OF those present spoke up to
identify it. The prisoner looked from
one to another, as II uncertain Of what
to expect next.
court Is now In session." announced
Hawkins. seating himself upon chair
behind the billiard table.
Hawkins. who had been accepted as
judge, began the proceedings In m or
derly manner. He designated the Doc
as prosecuting attorney and appointed
counsel for the prisoner.
First there were introduced charac-
ter witnesses. Shorty. who was ex.
cused as foreman of the jury long
enough to testify, stated that the priS-
oner had come into the hotel, register
ed as Reginald McC. DePuy- Howard"
sand ordered room with bath.
After Shorty had been dismissed and
returned to his place among the jury
men roomer ut the hotel was called
to the stand.
He testified that he had gone into
the strangers room the night before
to borrow a cigarette paper and that
he found the other preparing to go
to bed. The prisoner-so the witness
swore-was attired in a pair of blue
pajamas.
After other damaging testimony the
prisoner himself was allowed to take
the stand. He conducted himself in a
self possessed. even smiling manner.
1t seemed that he regarded the whole
affair as kind of mock court
The doc walked up and down the
narrow space in front Of the witness
chair. his hands stuck deep down into
his pockets in the manner Of famous
district attorney he had seen while on
a visit to the eastern part Of the coun-
try.
Finally he stopped before the pris-
oner and assumed even a more threat.
ening manner.
do you deny that the watch was
found in your possession"
The prisoner shook his head.
"And you have heard the testimony
of Conner and the others who have
identified the property as belonging to
Conner" continued the doc. "You
have also heard Heavy Taylor testify
that you talked to him about Conner
only few hours before the time OF
the robbery and that you asked him
where Conner lived Do yon deny
| the conversation
Again the prisoner shook his head.
"Give the court your account OF
how you came in possession Of the
| watch"
"Well," the prisoner began. Il left
the hotel about twilight and went for
| walk around town. passed along
the road where Conner lives and saw
| him come out Of the house and stoop
| and put the key he'd locked the door
with under the front steps. I waited
about until after he had gone away
and then went on into the yard. got
the key and entered the place. went
on through his apartments
"His whatY' demanded Hawkins.
II went on through his rooms until
l came to one that l found the watch
IN. 1t was lying on the chiffonier."
Hawkins banged his fist upon the
table before him.
II fine you $40 for contempt OF
court" he announced. THAT makes
the second time you've tried to gel
| gay with the court in the last few
seconds
/ Il found the watch" the prisoner
repeated. "put it in my pocket and
left without disturbing anything else
In the room. I came on back to the
hotel and was intending to so to bed
when you gentlemen found me-"
"Umr' murmured the doc reflective
iy, slightly taken back by the prison
| er's frankncss. "And what arc you
doing out here. trying to disguise
yourself as cowpuncher in this
clowns makeup. anyway. and where
did you come from?"
| II came from back east" the Other
answered, "and Tn on the way to the
| ranch Of a cousin Of mine about thir
| ty miles farther on had an attack
of pneumonia this past winter. and
thought I'd just spend month or two
out in this. climate"
| "And what do you claim Is youI
| business?"
Il haven't any business just now
| | happen to have what money need.
"Oh. you have all the money yor
want, have your the prosecuting ut
tcrney put in. And 80. outside OF
/ your Unborn criminal propensities. y0r
didn't have any excuse whatever fol
taking the watch from Conner's
room, eh?"
None at ALL" responded the pris
oner, except that-it was-my owr
watch took from there!'
He looked at Conner, who was re
sartling him with narrowing eyes. an
odd look and sheepish grin coming
over his face.
Conner stole the watch out Of my
room at hotel in Denver little while
ago." went on the other, "and ! have
Just been able to track him down.
was in hopes that I'd find him wearing
it. so could have the satisfaction Ol
taking It off Of him. but he wasn't
and ! went around to his place ane