The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-07-13
CONTINUED from last weekly


air. The courthouse was filed to its
capacity within fifteen minutes after
the doors were thrown open. Every
man who had a rifle was forced to
leave Il behind with the sheriff's depu-
ties; company of the states militia
was there, and each member Of it had
q hundred rounds of ball cartridges
in his belt-the authorities were taking
no chances.
Amid a GREATNESS hush, the wheels
Of the law began to move. Caleb More
land quickly told what he had to say,
and backed it up with proof; he
brought out a perfect abb. The
Judge and the jury frowned and smiled
In the same instant Dale went for
ward and took his place. He pleaded
''N0t Guilty." A little later the state
introduced its evidence and rested.
The counsel for the defense, patri-
clan and soldier-like immaculate from
his toes to tine crown Of his head,
went eagerly 70 his feet. He had fully
prepared him self, and he delivered his
arglrer. With an eloquent and force
full swing. Ii was plain that the jury
was favorably impressed by the words
Of this man who never accepted a case
unless he was absolutely sure that his
client was in the right.
Major Bradley hinged his argument
on the mysterious third shot. If Dale's
h,,Ilok .hoA l1illor3 A do,,n poI mould
not Adam Ball have been shot squarely
or at least nearly squarely from the
front7 As 1t was, the Goliath had been
shot straight through the temples!
That third shot had been fred by some
hidden friend OF Dale's, the major de
clared. and It had been done for the
purpose Of saving Dale's life. Ball
had been In the act Of playing cow
ardly trick; he had killed a man in
North Carolina by just such trick
and he had boosted OF 1t.
The attorney for the state made
rejoinder that utmost favored the de-
PENDANT Then the court charged the
jury, and the twelve good men retired.
The jury was out not more than
twenty Minutes, but to Elizabeth Lit
uefOrd 1t was an age of torture.
The twelve snen filed slowly in and
faced the Judge, who turned austere
eyes upon them and asked:
Gentlemen Of the jury, have you
reached a yerdict?'
They had. Elizabeth Littlefords
head swan as she bent forward to
catch the foreman's words
"Not guilty!"
A wild shout rose from the leathery
throat of the happy BY Heck. The
Norelands and the Littlefords cheered
until they were hoarse. Sheriff Tom
Flowers had difficulty in quieting the
tumult. Bill Dale shook hands until
his shoulders aehed. The Balls and
their relatives, bitter with resentment
and hatred, stole out, were given their
rifles. snd went toward the big hills
with the eye Of the militia hard upon
them.
Then the Morelands and the Little
fords and the Hecks, with Dale and
his mining man Hayes, came out, and
they, too, started for the big hills.
Dale had hired horse and side
saddle for Ben Littleford's daughter,
and the two rode In each others COM
pany on the journey home. When they
were well into the mountains, Dale
drew his horse over close to that Of
his companion.
"As soon as can build and furnish
-" he began, when Elizabeth inter-
rupted:
Were ridin' too fast. We're too
much ahead o. the others. One o. them
Balls might try to pick you off with
his rifle gum"
mot much danger of that" Dale re-
piled. The Balls have already been
warned about sniping; your father told
them that their very name would be
secured or the earth If there was any
sniping. Besides. BY Heck Is acting
as advance guard somewhere ahead of
tis."
BE continued, "As soon as can
build and furnish a little house out
near the mine, want you to marry
me, Babe. WilI your
Elizabeth Littleford seemed not to
have heard.
"Will you. Babe?"
She faced him sadly. He saw In
her hazel eyes the same queer light
Of tragedy that he had seen there
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