the twin hells(两个地狱)-第22节
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commission of the alleged offense； could drive off and sell these cattle； is
a mystery。 The man who swore that he committed the theft is now an
inmate of the institution； sent here for stealing since the arrival of blind
Corey。 This man now says that he is not positive that Corey took the cattle。
On the trial； however； he swore it was Corey； and that he was positive of
that fact！ About the the truth of the matter is； he was the villain that took
the cattle and swore it on the blind man。 Corey has only a few months to
remain in prison at this writing。 It is terrible to heap such a disgrace upon
as helpless a creature as Corey。
His case calls to mind another in the penitentiary。 He is a colored man
who cannot write； by the name of Thomas Green； from Fort Scott； serving
out a five years' sentence for forging a check for 1；368。 He was tried；
convicted； and sentenced。 Taking an appeal to the Supreme Court； the
judgment of the lower court was set aside； but at his second trial； he was
found guilty again； and is now in prison serving out his sentence。 How can
one commit the crime of forgery who cannot write？ Probably some 〃Smart
Aleck〃 of a district judge can explain。 I admit that it is beyond my powers
of comprehension。 It may be law； but there is not much COMMON
SENSE in it。
OH！ RIGHTEOUS JUDGE！
Gus Arndt is the next。 The history of this man will show the freaks of
whisky when enclosed in the hide of a raw Dutchman。 Gus came to this
country a number of years ago； and went to work for his uncle in
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Wabaunsee County。 Not being able to speak English； his uncle took
advantage of him； no doubt； for he paid him only ten dollars a month for
his services as a farm hand during the summer season； and nothing but his
board during the winter。 Gus remained here for some time； three or four
years； working at these wages。 He had learned and could understand and
speak English a little。 One day as he was pitching grain in the field an
Irishman came by who resided on a farm a few miles distant。 Needing a
hand and noticing that Arndt handled himself in a satisfactory manner； he
offered him twenty dollars per month to go and work for him。 Arndt
accepted his proposition； and agreed to report at the Irishman's farm the
following Monday； this being Thursday when the bargain was made。 That
night the German settled up with his uncle； and received the balance of his
wages； some 75。 He had been in America long enough to reach that point
in our civilization that； after working awhile； and getting a balance ahead；
he must take a rest and go on a 〃spree。〃 He started for the nearest town。
For a couple of days he fared sumptuously； constantly drinking。 He at
length reached a point below zero。 Half crazed； he staggers off to the fence
across the way where the farmers who had come to town to do their
shopping on Saturday had hitched their teams； and； untying a horse that
was hitched to a buggy； Gus thought he would take a ride。 Lumbering into
the buggy； as a drunken man can； he drove down the main street of the
town in broad daylight and out into the country。 In an hour or so the owner
getting ready to return； misses his horse and buggy。 Making numerous
inquiries about them and getting nothing satisfactory； he places the matter
in the hands of a sheriff； who commences a search for the missing
property。 Not finding it in town he sends men out on the roads leading to
the country； himself taking one。 In a very short time he overtakes the noted
horse…thief。 Gus was sitting in the buggy sound asleep； the lines were
hanging down over the dashboard； and the old horse was marching along
at a snail's pace。 He was out some two miles from town； and； no doubt；
had traveled at this gait all the way。 He was faced about； and； assisted by
the sheriff； drove back to town。 He was then placed under arrest and sent
to jail； subsequently had his trial； and for this little drive was sent to the
penitentiary for five years。 Of a more unjust sentence I never heard。 Gus
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served his time out and a better behaved person was never behind the
walls。 When he regained his liberty； instead of returning to Wabaunsee
County； and to his uncle's house； he finds his way to Marysville； Kansas。
Here reside a number of prosperous German farmers； and the ex…convict
soon got work。 When he applied for work he forgot to tell his employer
that he had just finished up a contract for the State of Kansas。 Some
months had elapsed and Gus had worked hard and industriously； had
accumulated a neat little sum of money； and began to feel happy once
more。 At this time a man passed through the country that was acquainted
with Arndt's antecedents； and being a dirty dog he thought it was his duty
to inform the farmer that his hired man was an ex…convict； horse…thief and
a desperado of the worst type。 Some men are so officious and are so
anxious to do their duty when it is in their power to injure a fellow…man
who is trying to earn an honest living。 Gus immediately got the 〃bounce。〃
He was informed by his employer that he did not want to make his home a
harbor for horse…thieves。 Gus took his wages and clothes and started for
Marysville。 He could not bear the idea of being discharged because of his
former misfortune。 He again applies to the bottle for consolation。 He goes
on another spree。 When crazed with liquor he acted just as he did before；
he goes to a hitching post； and unties a team of horses attached to a buggy。
One of the horses had had its leg broken at some former time； and was
almost worthless； while the other one was very old。 He seemed to select
the very worst team he could find。 Maybe it was the buggy he was after！
He was probably very tired and wanted an easy place to rest。 He unhitched
them just as if they had been his own。 It was in the afternoon。 The streets
were full of people。 Gus crawled into the buggy in his half drunken
manner and started off down the road。 When found by the sheriff some
two hours after he had gone； about half a mile from town； the old horses
were standing at one side of the road and the drunken Dutchman was lying
in the buggy sound asleep； with one bottle of whisky uncorked； the
contents of which had run out and over his clothes； and another bottle in
his pocket untouched。 He had evidently gone out for a drive。 He was taken
to jail； and the news soon spread that he was an ex…convict and horse…thief。
He was tried on a charge of stealing horses； and was returned to the
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penitentiary for a term of two years。 Here were seven years' service for
two drunks！ Ancient Jacob； 〃how tuff！〃 After Gus had completed his
narration to me he wound up by saying； 〃Ven I shall oudt git this time； I let
von visky alones。〃
BOVINE TROUBLE
Woodward R。 Lopeman was sent up from Neosho County for murder
in the first degree。 Under his sentence he was to be hanged at the close of
the first year。 This part of the sentence is never carried out in Kansas。 The
particulars of his crime are as follows： He was a well…to…do farmer
residing in Neosho County； and never had any difficulty to amount to
anything before this time。 He was an old soldier and served his country
faithfully and bravely for four years。 For some trivial cause he and one of
his neighbors had a little difficulty； but it was thought nothing would ever
come of it； as each of them had been advised by their friends to bury their
animosity before it should lead to graver results。 Lopeman seemed willing
to do this； but his irate neighbor would not meet him half way。 One day a
calf of Lopeman's； worth but a few dollars； got through the fence and over
into his neighbor's pasture。 Word was sent to the owner of the calf that if
he would come over and pa
