Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1901 — FOR HIS HONOR [ARTICLE]

FOR HIS HONOR

«T? U'FLEAK of fortune made FlorJSsl ence Early an inmate of the gray house in front of the Washlng- • ta« County jail. The sheriff, a burly nun of 40, had his mother and a cripson of 8 years living with him. '‘He old mother was continually afraid, •wa4 the helpless boy needed teaching. Tfce aheriff advertised in the papers of She State for a companion and govA teacher’s agency sent Flor•eßce Early to Hl verdale. The sheriff start'd at her when he 'JWtVr at the railroad station. He believed she had not been well fed; His Ltatpiiise was to take her into the Ijrst -oHtiajg toowse and feed her up a little. -fl She was tao much of a lady for that, •shad he bundled her into his buggy in -'Awkward silence. Ek»re**’e improved so much In a few • days that he was sure about the eati■< He gave her the piece of steak ■■oeart the bene as his most delicate at <c*ti«n. When he grew less shy be ifooked into liar face and met the steadiest pair es eyes he had ever seen. The sheriff knew humanity. He look•ed »t her, and felt that when he was oMJsgM to go away at night ho could ■sleep, knowing that the old mother and -delicate Willy had a stay and comfOrt. One day he took her Into the Jail. It ■was a fearful place. One .story was ah»v<* ground. In this were kept the iprisoners held for minor offenses; in the other, a veritable dungeon, was • »»a cpnflmsl for a capital offense. He was the son of a wealthy farmer sad accused of the murder of both 'father and mother on the evidence ■that lie had had a dispute with them the day before the foul ileed. Johnson Martin's was the strongest. ■ most remote cell of the dungeon; he was allowed to see no oue. and the sheriff himself carried him his food. Oh the day the sheriff showed Flore»ce Early through the Jail she met she Jailer, a man with a settled, stubborn look. Finally the sheriff led the way down the dark, close stairway. Had, Hnloekihg a heavy door, ushered •her into a dark corridor. He lighted a .’ lattara and led Florence to the far end of the passage, paused before a barred i grating, and called, tn a voice not un'kliul. ‘"Johnsen, hero’s your pew jailer.” .Florence started. Some one crawled :fr> the Imrs. “For the love of God, Torrence, how Ifong Is (his to last?” / “There te nothing now this morning, John. I have to be away until late to- ■ xiigtet. This lady will give you your • dinner and supper.” There was no word In reply. The hbrrlff returned to the doorway. •“Miss Florence," be said, "I must go over to Berlin township after a man. T cannot be back before midnight. 1 want you to take care of Martlti.” Ah bout later he was gone, and she ’had (tee key and bis Instructions. Miss Early was reading aloud just xtefare dinner, when the servant came to t«dl her setup ,<»ue wanted to see her. Site I>tind a .rough man In the hall, pervotis and awkward. “They aay sheriff’s gone over to Berlin. miss. How long wl|l lie have gone?” • , *‘A few hours," replied Florence, tersely. The man looked at her, nnd whisper •d Quickly: “I’m a friend of his’n. I come to tell film ail McValgh township's coming Co night after Martin. They’ve loyat ed Aden's hired girl, and she says she •aw Johnson about 7 o’clock that night aml not half a mile from the farm.” Florence Early felt an awful chill at her heart. Then the stdong, kind face of the sheriff came before her. With an Effort she replied: 1 “If you have a horse and know the way, ride to Berlin for your life. You shall be well paid. Don’t lose a minute, living him here; I will keep the man until he comes."

Kite wo>nt to dinner calmly, and after wards gathered up some delicacies*and added them to the meal for Martin. Rhe threw a light shawl over her head. The jailer was in the hallway when •be went down the steps. He looked troubled. She did not doubt lie knew. The corridor seemed darker than ever. She set the lantern by the grating, opened It and thrust into It the basket. A hand took it. •‘Bat your dinner," she said gently, "then I haye something lo say to you." In ten miuutes he came to the grat fog "They will try to take you from the I*sl t o-uight," she said, simply. "Guilty or not guilty, if I save you, will you <lve yourself up to Sheriff I'orreuce for trial?" He loked her In the eyes. *'l am an Innocent man," he cried, toMrsHy, "but Licfore God I will stand trial If you save me from that mob.” •"Hwearf** she said. "Swear it to me:" He sag de the oath aud she left him. Kleven o'clock came. Outside there utter silence, then came the sound •of many footsteps. The men of MeV*lgh towiish!o were not out for vnln (parade. They meant business. A terrific battering came at the doors, tke one level with the yard attacked ■first I The jailer looked out from a small window, ',ln the old roof. It bad <t»*eo used for such purposes. "We want Martin," cried n‘ voice. "*•<? w/e kbow Torfettce ’ .Isn’t here. •Opes the doer or throw out the keys." W I can't <to It," shouted the jailer. "We’ll fight It out! He’s my blood

With a great shout the assault on the door began. I'he prisoners abovfe the dungeon were wild with terror. What would not a mob do? “Men!" he cried, “help me to barricade this door! The sheriff will come. We must gain time.” It took a good many minutes to pass the barricade and to chop In the heavy door farther on. it took more to wrench and chop and pull out the cell door. A dark figure was crouched In the corner, silent as death. ■ ‘“Mighty still, are you?” shrieked the leader, Johnson Martin’s own cousin, and the heir to the farm If he was hung. “Come out here, you murderer!” A dozen hands laid hold on tli’e crouching figure, it was dragged, hauled, carried, forced up the stairs, out into the yard. , “String him up! Here's a rope! Quick!” Then a woman’s shriek awful, blood curdling—rang out once, again, again. The crowd fell back. “Good God! What did this mean?” They stood the figure up and raised lanterns high over it a second. It was a woman—a terror stricken woman—with her brown haid unloosened, falling over a man's suit of clothes. A mighty shout, and In among tliem dashed horsemen, the burly sheriff at the head. He threw himself from his horse, he snatched the woman to his arms. ■ 1 I “Are ye men? This woman has saved my honor.” he cried. "Off hands. Thank God. Martin is safe. He Is no murderer. The negro I tracked to Bear Swantp tb-day Is, the man. He had the old man's watch and .money. For shame, go home!" The crowd slunk away into the shadows. The sheriff carried a limp form Into the house, and while he lavished every fond epithet upon her. the erstwhile prisoner. In her attire, knelt and kissed the feet of the poor little governess. There Is a better Jail now. but the people of the county have not yet asked for a letter sheriff than the one whose wife well nigh gave her life for his honor. Buffalo Evening News.