The Dolores star., 1924-08-15
To Save a
Soul Was
Sandy's Idea
By JOHN PALMER
U3 lss., wes,ern Newspaper union)

"WHo might you be"
w Sandy McGregor stood in the
doorway of his shack. looking keenly
down at the trembling boy within.
Tall, grizzled, the epitome of strength
was Sandy, the occupant of the lonely
shack in the desert, twenty miles from
Sunrise.
For two years he had been dogGed-
iy washing gold from the stream, al
ways In hope of the great strike
which he had never made.
Every one In Sunrise respected the
gaunt. God-fearing old Scotchman,
whose word was his bond.
Sandy looked at the boy. "Ye be
Alex SMITH"
"Yes, I'm Alex Smith" faltered the
other. You know about me. | shot
and killed John Templeton. He cheat
ed me out of my wages and dis
charged me from his livery stable"
AYE, | know about that crime" an
swered Sandy.
81 didn't mean TO shoot him. I'd
been trying out a gun and II lost
my head. pulled 1t and fired. He fell
dead. I've been hiding for week.
Won't you protect me till the posse
thinks I've got awayT'
I'll protect ye," answered Sandy.
He let the boy bunk in his cabin,
and took him into the hills with
him the next day, where he would be
safe from visitors. He made him up
bunk in the little shack he had erect
ed in the gully. No one would come
that way.
Days passed. Alex worked with
will for his employer. At the end of
n week he went to him.
Il guess the posses given up the
job" he said. I'D better be hiking"
"Whaur d'yov think of going"
asked Sandy.
"Over the hills. I can strike the
railroad in four days. hop freight
and"
And live all your days with the
charge of murder hanging over ye, a
hunted fugitive?' asked Sandy. Man,
go down on your knees and ask Him
to give ye the strength to go back
and take your medicine"
Back to Sunrise" whimpered
Alex. "You-you're not going to give
me up"
'I'm not going to give ye up, but
want ye to give yerser up. Alex. A
man reaps whaur he sows 'Tis the
law. Give yerser up and trust to His
mercies."
81 daren't." whimpered the boy
They'll hang me-"
"On yer knees" said Sandy.
He kneeled beside him. 20 Lord"
he prayed. "as thou hast given
strength to the desert and the ever
lastin' hills, give strength now to this
thy servant that he may do what Is
right and surrender himself to the
sheriff."
Then ensued dOgged battle be-
tween the old man and the boy. For
two days they fought it out together
IF you go, you'll have yer life and
freedom" said Sandy. But yell live
yer life knowing you've committed
the sin Of murder. Yell never know
that peace of the soul that comes
from well doin'. Give yerself up and
trust in Him."
In the middle Of the third night
Alex slipped quietly from his bunk,
gathered his few things together, and
crept out of the hut. He glanced
fearfully at big Sandy as he passed
his bed. He did not see that the big
Scot was observing him through his
half-closed lids.
When he was gone, Sandy went
down on his knees and prayed that
strength might be given to the lad.
he prayed till morning-for Alex, for
himself, and for the world.
When he returned from work that
night Alex was In the hut.
1--we come back" faltered the
lad. II thought l could get away
with 1t. but 1t was as If a voice was
whispering in my ear, telling me to
return. I'm ready to start for Sun
rise in the morning."
GLORY bel" said big Sandy.
> He clapped his hand on Alexis
shoulder. "There'll be no need for
you to start for Sunrise, son." he said.
lie drew a folded newspaper from
his pocket and handed It to him. Alex
read with terror and amazement the
story of his crime.
The bullet had glanced off one of
Iempleton's ribs. inflicting only a
ui'Nai wound. After perfunctory
search the posse had returned.
fou-knewf" gasped Alex. "Why
did you-7'
ITO save your soul, ladd,ew an.
s"ered big Sandy. "Laddie, down on
yer knees!"