Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-08-29
From the (Cin., o. Columbian and Gre
West.
THE INFANTS APPEAL.
A BRIEF BUT THRILLING SKETCH.

In the year 1886, the inhabitants liv-
ing in district bordering on Rock Riv-
er, in the northern part Of the State of
Illinois. were much incensed by the dep
relations of band of horse thieves who
infested that portion of country. Eve.
ry exertion had been made to discover
The men engaged in this nelarious bust.
ness, but hitherto, in vain. and valuable
animals were stolen, and lost to their
owners, in defiance of the utmost vigil.
ance and care.
During such a state of affairs, the cit
izens residing in the region OF the thieves
became thoroughly excited, and were
wound up 10 such a pitch of indigna.
tion, that body of men were formed
styled Rangers, whose explicit duty it
was TO expunge the district Of all suspi.
cious characters, and endeavor to put a
stop to the depreda,ions Of the horse
thieves.
Shortly after this band had c0mmen-
ced operations, word was conveyed to
The leader Of the Rangers that a valua.
BILE horse had been stolen the night pre-
vious, could then be found on tie prem.
lses of man named Burt, locked up in
the stable. Although Burt heretofore
had been looked upon as an honest man
and an upright citizen, yet the Captain
deemed it his duty 10 at least examine
his farm aud learn the truth or falsity of
the report.
Accordingly he summoned some half
dozen of his Rangers to meet him at a
spot not far from Buri's house, and before
morning, set on, for The same place him.
self. Daylight was hardly discernible
in the east, aud the hazy light of coming
dawn had not yet penetrated the bottom,
where the suspicious man resided, as
the Rangers, charged with the fearful
mission of life or death, silently ap-
preached, and surrounded the dwelling.
Leaving three of the band 10 guard the
entrance, the Captain proceeded with
the Others TO the stable, broke open the
door, and found the missing horse, as has
been stated, safely stalled inside.
No, lingering doub, now remained OF
Burl's guilt, and with stern determina-
iion TO make such an example Of him
as would deter others from like transac-
tion, The Rangers returned 10 the house.
In the meantime Burt had arisen, and up
on coming to the door, was seized by
those in waiting, and upon demanding
the reason, was informed that stolen
animal was found in his stable, and that
he was considered thief. MutterIng
something abou, "he knew 'twould come
to this al last" he quietly submitted To
whatever his cap,ors had in store for
him.
A short consultation was held, and il
was resolved TO hang the criminal Oh a
large elm tree that grew i'm front uf his
own house, II being deemed such an act
would strike terror and dismay into the
ranks of the horse thieves.
Burt had asked half an hour To pre-.
pare lor his death, and the sun had risen
In all his glorious majesty, ere The fatal
moment had arrived which would launch
him into eternity. In vain had his grey
headed father and mother pleaded for
his life, with trembling tongues--lhe old
lady ,ottering forth from the dwelling.
and kneeling in suppliant mood TO his
apparently merciless captors. In VAN
had the wife of his bosom knelt in tears
Of agony, and entreated them as hus-
bands To spare his liie-ior each Ranger
had suffered more or less in person, and
they deemed the example absolutely nee.
essary to dete others, and It seemed as
though Burt must die.
The dreadful preparations were COM
pieted--ihe half hour had expired--and
the criminal was arranged under limb
of IA Stout elm, over which rope was
thrown, one end being noosed around
the prisoners neck, and the other held
by three OF the Rangers.
Then came moment of dreadful 81.
lence; that awful stiffness. which preludes
The launching Of fellow being into eter
ni,y-while the three strong men who
held the ropes end, gazed 6xedly upon
the Captain for the signal. II was given
by raising the right arm; and already
the moose was tightening, when the wife
Of Burt issued forth from the house hold
ing an infant, little more than a year
old, in her arms.
Rushing forward. she fell on her knees
directly in front of the Captain, and rails !.
ing the child with arms ouistreiched, to-
wards him, she exclaimed in tones that
would have pierced heart of steel:
''lf you will not spare him for the
sake Of his grey haired slres. or The wife
of his bosom, spare him. in the name Of
God, for the sake of his infant boy!"
Another dead silence reigned like a
pail over the spot; then, as though inspi
red by heaven itself, the child also
stretched out its little arms towards its
father, and exclaimed in voice heard
6y all. the single word:
"F'ather!'
The muscles Of the Captains face
quivered in every fibre, and the men
who held the rope slowly relaxed the
pressure around the neck Of Burt when
the infant again uttered, in distinct tones:
"Faiher! father!''
And then, as though desparing Of
success. huddled into its mothers bosom,
and burst into a sobbing cry.