The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-09-22

! | was barely conscious of being
lifted upon a saddle, and cord be-
ing placed around my ankles. Con-
versation l heard also, but indistinct-
ly, and without q shadow of its pur-
port reaching my dulled brain. AZ
ter little ! felt myself in motion.
but a listless indifference held me in
bondage 1t was as though all this
was happening to another person than
myself
! When / began to recover nv senses
knew that the three pursuing horse.
men had been joined by o larger
band. Conversation grew intelligi-
BILE.
$50 you've captured the gamel"
"Hale1 be glad to see his mare
again.''
We'll string up one of the eu-sed
gang, at any ratel"
As these chance sentences fell up
on my ear, it began to creep through
my mind that | had been mistaken
for vastly different parsonage than
the respectable, curious, pleasure
seeking tourist who had set out so
ambitiously that morning from St.
Joseph
Undoubtedly in my present ap-
Ipeerance, dusty, trsvel-stained, dis
heyeled, few traces of my former re-
spectability remained to testify for
me. My curiosity was likely to be
satisfied. Yet could it be possible
hat |, wso so prided myself upon
honor and principle, should be mista-
ken for that lowest of criminals,
common horse thief
Notifying suggestion. Yet it was
eN ldent that such mistake did at
present exist, and that / was in the
hands Of vigilance committee.
As the horror of my situation came
home to me, I tried to collect my
thoughts and frame some evidence
that might obtain my release from
this terrible dilemma. Remembered
with thrill of terror, that | had left
all my papers behind, and had not
even line to show that I was one
whit better than they had taken me
for.
They had now come back to the
timber bordering Wolf river, from the
concealment o. which they had first
ridden out upon me. Here they halt
ed for trial, and /, bound in the midst
of them, looked around upon the cir
cle-my self-imposed judges. Chances
of stern, Implying determination met
mine.
They were strong, Intelligent, har-
dy frontiersmen; men of sturdy in
dustry. answering integrity, and
iron will, perseyering in the attain
ment of their aims, and prompt in
fulfilling the claims of justice.
"Genilemen," | cried this is
terrible mistake! | ana no criminal,
but a simple tourist, came to look at
the country. My name is D
L--and / am from the firm of
King 4 King, New York city.
Ruin Il Leigh the heaviest merchants
in ST. Joseph, can establish the proof
OF my identify. Likely you brought
Hale's mare from New York city!r
was the sneering rejoinder of the
leader Of the vigilants.
Gentleman" / replied, earnestly,
Il never set eyes on tlis mare until
past noon Of this very day. / had
her from man in the dress OF far
mer, who said be lived on the other
side Of Troy He took in exchange
for this horse / brought down from
St. Jo."
A laugh of derision ran around the
circle
| Show Us your papers, boss"
Unfortunately for me" | replied
"my papers were left behind with my
luggage at st. 10. If you will take
the trouble to go, send or in any wise
investigate this matter, l can prove
to you the truth of my words"
That's altogether too thin?"
He wants to gain time"
He's q plausible rascal, but be
mustn't slip through our hands"
Such were the muttered comments
which greeted nv story. HeaVensl
was there no salvation
A mock trial was held, during
which | was proven to have deliber-
ately stolen the mare from her mas
ter's stable, run her off, and it is need
less to add that my race before the
committee, and subsequent seizure
on fight, gave q strong eoloring of
truth to the evidence on their side.
For my defence, l repeated and re-
iteratsd nv former statement, but
no cfeGence was allowed me.
A rope was brought forward, and
suspended from neighboring tree
My hands had been previously tied
behind my back. I shuddered as the
moose was placed around my neck
To be cut thus off, in the prime of
manhood, without farewell word
to those / loved, far from kindred and
friends, and bitterest of ali to expi-
ate the crime of aLother-that other
total stranger-in shameful death
myself the unfortunate victim of ia
tai mistake, what wonder if head and
heart were burstingl
! Nv feet were united from under
the horses belly, and in few Sec
onds more the horse would have
been driven out from under me, when,
like a CLEAN of the star of hope from
the folds of q midnight cloud, my
eye caught as one Of the Vigilantes
threw open bis coat, a small object
fastened upon the lapple of his vest.
With the energy of drowning
man grasping at saving plank, l
wrenehed free one hand, and with
his eye full upon me, made . simple
sign. sqs
The man started and answered it.
gave another which was answered;
and still another, u masonic sign IN
the Chapter.
Then starting breatblessly forward
nv brother laid q firm OBTAINING
hand on each side of the bridal
reign.
"Boys, cut that rope! As sure as
there is Heaven, this man has spok-
en- the truth III stake nv life upon