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Show 360 WESTERN WILDS. fearful violence whenever the latter approached him ; but every time the elder would again turn away in silence. The suspense became unbearable. At length there came a lull in the morning business. Briarly went to the door as if to leave. He passed into the street, and looked both ways, then suddenly reentered, and came hurriedly to the rear end, where Manson stood. The latter leaned forward, un-certain whether he was to be denounced or pleasantly entreated, and was about to speak, when the elder hurriedly inclined his mouth to the Gentile's ear, and hissed rather than whispered: " In God's name, is there any way we can get out of this infernal country ? " The light step of a Mormon woman was heard at the door. The elder turned with a cheery greeting and loud laugh ; then passed at once into the street, leaving Manson almost petrified with amazement. * * * * * * * It was midwinter, and there was another Gentile panic. The " outsiders" had thought their troubles over; that law was to reign in Utah. But in the spring, S. N. Brassfield was shot dead while walk-ing the streets in the custody of an officer. In October, Dr. Robin-son was brutally assassinated. Non- Mormon settlers on the public lands were mobbed, shot, thrown in the Jordan, and driven away. Willie Manson thought he had troubles enough, when one day a pale, spiritless looking man entered the store, and said he was Thomas James ! Oh, no ! It could not be, thought Manson. Not the bold horseman who had cut his way through ranks of brave Bannocks ! Not the stout young Briton who had done and dared so much in Montana ! Yet it was. But not the same. Never to be the same again. For now Manson listened to a narrative that chilled his blood with horror. Thomas James had suffered at the hands of the priesthood the last terrible indignity that man can suffer compared with which murder is a light offense. A creature walked abroad, called by the same name; but Thomas James, the yeoman, would never again dare death in Indian combat, or rival a bishop in love. Where could he go, and what could he do? asked his pitying friend. He was not alone. Utah in that sad time contained more than one who had suffered like him men, so- called, shrinking along the streets, ashamed to meet their kind. For, let this misfortune come how it may, on innocent or guilty, while reason protests that we ought not to despise such a one, the subtle instinct of manhood commands that we shall. Thomas James went south with a party going to San Bernardino |