Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1921-12-28
The Fugitive"
From Justice
By CALVIN HENDRICKS.

Copyright. 1921 Western Newspaper Union
1--WE are looking for good candi-
you"
The speaker was one Of q group Of
a dozen husky miners, rough, red
shirted, lacking all the formality Of
the average committee" but repre-
senting not only the Drawn but the
brains and enterprise Of Lucky Gulch.
Ransome Jordan's eye glowed for
moment, he threw back his head in his
characteristic bluff and Independent
way.
Boys" he said, and his full, clear
voice was broken from some intense
emotion. 81 thank you, butt cannot
accept"
That was the way that RansOme
Jordan turned down what his friends
called the chance Of his life.
"Ransome, dear, why?" were the
words that greeted him as the wife
who had overheard all met him at the
doorway, and that was the hardest
part of it all.
Don't ask Nancep he pleaded.
"See here, it is you who made me what
I am. The boys have helped, don't
know why"
"Who could help It'll" gently MUIR
INJURED Nance, stroking his great
brown hand caressingly.
snow they want me to be mayor.
A man of clear record, who will make
IL n <I<
Office
"Is there a better one than you !"
cried Nance, her eyes sparkling with
pride. SIS theye a man who has made
Lucky Gulch clean and respectable as
you have done? What is it, Ransome
what is troubling your"
cit is-no, can't tell even you ~ de-
clared Jordan 'At least not now
not yet. Nance, do you trust me?"
ITO the death-and after!"
eff 1 go away-away toto pay
debt, to clear the books, to take my
medicine like a man SO that when
come back and can look every man
in the face and say honestly l owe
the world nothing, what will you say"
"RansOme," she said resOlutely
"how soon shall l help you pack up
for your Journey"
And thus began the pilgrimage Of
Ransome Jordan. One evening the
train to Easton, a little New England
town, halted to let off the pilgrim.
Several times he passed under the
red lamp Of police station. Finally
he entered the place, asked for the Of
f1cer in charge, and was shown into
the captains private Office.
II am from the West" stated Jor-
dan without ceremony. II have come
to give myself up as q fugitive from
justice. My name is Ransome Jordan.
Did you ever hear 1t beforeT
A strange smile crossed the face Of
the official.
"Why, yes" he began, but Jordan
went on with his story.
Zone night In q drunken brawl q
friend of mine named Prescott in
suited and attacked me. / resented
him with knife thrust. heard later
that he died. It was self-defense, but
1 have come back to clean the slate.
whatever the law may say"
II have heard Of you'll" cried the Of
fetal. arising and wringing the hand
of Jordan with strange fervor. Come
this way"
He pointed at a large oil portrait.
william Prescott still lives. He Is
Judge Of this court, and after that
night you refer to became a reformed
man."
II
In a great aspiration of Joy and re-
lief.
do you recall nothing further Of
that night?" asked the official, a queer
expression on his lips.
Little but flight, despair. I recall
a fire, and plunging into its exciting
whirl, hoping fate would blot me out"
'Again-come with me-" invited the
official.
He led the way to the street and to
the outskirts of the town where a
large building stood.
"The fire you speak Of" he said,
destroyed the old structure Of the
DOrothea Sisterhood. That night a
brave man by means Of plank span
ming two roofs saved every soul In
the building from death. You never
heard of it? Srangei See," and Jor-
dams guide pointed to neat column
surrounded by an iron fence, and bear
ing broad metal plate plainly visible
In the white moonlight.
Il will read the inscription" said the
official. In grateful memory Of Ran
some Jordan, Hero, who lost his life
after saving fourteen imperiled wom-
en-. He was true man T.
"And that was meT' gasped the pet
rified Jordan.
THAT. was you," responded the Off,
cial, reverently lifting his cap. "Held
!. in loving memory, because you disap
peared amid the flames and 1t was sup.
posed you had persisted"
SO the pilgrimage ended, but its
echoes, now made public. reached
Lucky Gulch ahead Of Jordan's return
And when he appeared cheering
deputation of welcoming friends
knew he would now accept rightfu'
honor.
A patient loving little woman
clasped her arms around his neck as
he stepped from the train.