those present to express their views. When they came to
do so, a wide diversity came to the surface. Vose Adams suggested that
the criminal be compelled to go without any food for three days, but
this was not favorably received, since the rough, trying life which
each man had been compelled to follow at times during the past years,
made the punishment much less than it appeared to be.

Ike Hoe suggested that instead of food, the accused's liquid
refreshment should be shut off for the time named. The accused
groaned.

When this had continued for some time, Felix Brush, the parson, took
the floor.

"Gentlemen, it's a principle in law to be lenient with the first
offence, and, since this is the first time that Bidwell has offended
and he deeply feels his disgrace, why not require him to apologize to
the young lady and stand treat for the crowd, with the understanding
that his next crime shall be visited with condign punishment?"

"Do you propose to let him off?" demanded the wrathful chairman.

"Yes; for this once, but never again."

"I'll never consent to anything of the kind! The dignity of the Court
must be preserved; the law must be executed, and any man who says
'devil' or 'thunder' in the presence of the little gal, I don't care
what the circumstances, orter to be shot, so that there wont be any
delay in his going to the devil, where he belongs."

"_O, Mr. Ruggles, I heard you_!"

A little figure dressed in white stood at the door leading to the rear
room, and the startled auditors turning their heads, saw Nellie
Dawson, with her chubby finger pointed reprovingly at the dumbfounded
chairman.

CHAPTER IV

SUITING THE PUNISHMENT TO THE CRIME

Wade Ruggles was speechless. He sat with his mouth wide open and his
eyes staring at the little figure, as if it were a veritable
apparition. All the others looked in the same direction. Nellie Dawson
stood for a moment with her finger pointed reprovingly at the
chairman, and then turning about ran back into the rear room and
plunged into her bed.

"Max, quick!" said Ruggles faintly, pointing to the black bottle at
the rear of the bar. The landlord hastily poured out some of the fiery
stuff, and the miserable fellow swallowed it at a gulp. It served
partly to revive him, but he was really on the verge of collapse.

The only one of the company not impressed was Maurice Dawson, father
of the little girl. He was sitting well back of the rest, where no one
p