The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-10-02
Redeemed
BY WALTER JOS. DELANEY

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! Copyright, 1919. by the Western News.
| paper UntoA)
They had rounded up Jim Marsh at
last, and they were stern, relentless
] crowd. He had been pest and
I, troublesome customer generally, a law
| and order influence was in the air,
and his audacity in coming straight
back to the vicinity of his msde.
J meanors showed an incorrigibility
that BODIED Ill for reformation.
They were four in number. in tenn
| porary camp, and Jim had hailed one
| Of them casually in the dark away
from the camp fire. Instantly the
man had recognized him, had grabbed
leveled revolver.
Hands up!" he had ordered, and
thus Jim was led within radius Of the
blazing logs. Every man there was
promptly on his feet, hand at the hip
pocket, but Jim coolly shrugged his
| shoulders and said:
| II won't try one to four, seeing that
you all have your shooting irons with
! you and me none"
That's the last horse you stole,
| see" observed the leader Of the
group.
Correct" nodded Jim promptly.
j Hes Judge Elston's daughters horse.
| was on my way to return him 10
her"
general cry of der1sion greeted
this announcement.
+, Don't believe me, Ell? Well, don't
blame you, but it's the truth. I got
mixed as to the exact road to Derby,
or you would never have had the
pleasure of stopping me. You look as
il it was that"
"You are precisely right" came the
stern reply of the leader. cite him to
that tree yonder, men. 1t will be two
| hours before re move on for Chip.
| perton."
| "For where" queried Jim sharply,
a culver of concern in his tones.
For Chipperton. Where did you
suppose we were going to take your"
''To Derby. Wasn't it there the
crime was committed? OF course it's
| Jail for me, maybe hanging, but let 1t
be at Derby, men,"
Eyes, it will be hanging" said the
leader, "and to make sure of it we
won't trust your case to a Derby
milk-and-water jury. Your class Of
| thievery has become altogether too
common in this county Of late, and
! we vigilantes are going to act"
Jim looked crestfallen. Reckless,
cool and Boosting character that he
was. as two of the men proceeded to
tie him to a tree Jim regarded them
j anxiously, almost pleadingly.
"See here, fellows" he spoke. Il
to Derby I've very important mes
sage Maybe it means life or death,
| to deliver to Mrs. Mabel Tuthill.
Can't you take me to Derby by way
Of Chipperton? Come, now! Just let
me have half dozen words with the
| judges daughter"
you're keen, Jim, but it won't work
in this case. You're just about slick
enough to get that tender-hearted
lady to plead for you. No, it's Chip
perton, straight and quick, and the
Jury sets at daybreak."
"And the jumping OF scene before
i noon, so say your prayers"
i The leader came up to him finally,
| a lighted cigar in his mouth. you're
too slippery customer to trust with
! free hands. Jim" he said, 'but we
want to treat you right II you're
hungry, one Of the men shall feed
you. What you want?'
II had good meal less than an
hour ago." responded Jim. There's
one thing you can do for me, though"
whats that?'
IF you have an extra cigar, light 1t,
put ii in my mouth, and I'm sure I'd
enjoy It,"
4, "Sure," nodded the other, and. see
/ Ing the captive safe and comfortably
disposed, he returned to his follows.
"Why, he's gone!" yelled one Of the
men, as they got ready to resume their
I. journey.
"Yes, and the horse. tool" echoed
another, and then speedily they
mounted and started out to try and
pick up the trail Of the fugitive
i They came upon him four hours
later, mounted upon the stolen horse
and facing away from Derby, and
Mrs Tuthill by his side. The men
touched their hats to her but sur.
rounded jim.
"We'u have to taAe this man FOL
stealing your horse" began the
leader.
! ''That is not my horse" responded
Mrs. Tuthill. II have Just given It Il
him Mr. Marsh went away on hiIn
two months ago and has returned
after executing mission which hal
resulted in lifelong happiness for me. ,
a. (.lv 49, ~