I ask the attention and sympathy of all present for our brother Samuel Kimper." As the deacon sat down he put his powerful arm under the shoulder of his companion, and Sam Kimper found himself upon his feet.

The frightened man looked down at the cushion of the seat in front of him; then he tried to look around, but there was so much hard curiosity in each face upon which his eyes fell that he speedily looked down again and leaned heavily upon the back of the bench upon which his hands rested.

Finally he cleared his throat and said,-- "Ladies an' gentlemen, I've been in State prison nearly two years.

I deserved it.

Lots of folks talked kind to me before I went; some of 'em's here to-night, an' I thank 'em for what they done.