The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-06-28
An NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Why Wesley, Now "a QUiet Resi-
dent OF san Francisco, Re
came "a Esasilraugsr.
From the San Francisco Post,

brought up ~ the saddle, ana was
tirst-rate Eorseman and stockrider from
the time he Was able to crack g whip.
Australia being overrun with cattle, a
loose freedom prevailed Of branding other
peoples stock, and Wesley took the
false step and branded some, too. This
was his first transgre5sion, and into it he
was led by his love for his masters
daughter, girl OF some sixteen summers,
who returned his passion but was re-
strained from openly avowing it through
fear Of her parents. He hoped by this
unlawful means to make money and then
claim her hand
Nv hat do you Think" she said to him
one evening as they sat at supper. "What
do you Think"
''What Is it," he asked
They want me to marry old Brown"
Wesley turned pale. He put down
bis knife and fork. He had had supper
enough for that evening The maiden
smiled
eco on with your SUPPER she said
edo you think III marry man old enough
to be my father"
Hes rich, gasped her lover, 'and
has sheep and cattle by thousands"
ooh, we shall have sheep and cattle
when old Brown is dead" she playfully
added, as She triPped away in answer to
her mother. call.
Wesley was met by a stock-rider,
friend and companion of his boyhood,
who was, like himself, going to muster
the cattle Of his employer. After chat
ting for some time, his mate told him Of
a nei 1hboring stockrider who had brand
ed some of other peoples cattle for him
self, "and what, said he, ''is to prevent
Us from doing the same?' He had I'M
consciously touched responsive chord,
for something Of the same kind was pass
ing in Westiey's own mind not long be-
fore. That very day operations were be
gun, and several other mems cattle were
branded. The work went brayely on
for several months, and Wesley stood q
fair chance of becoming cattle owner
Of some consequence, when one day, as
the hopeful young fellows were corrallng
and branding, who should ride up but
one Blown and one or two other settlers
whose cattle were being branded. His
companion escaped, but Wesley was
arrested and handed over to custody.
He was duly tried and convicted, and
sentenced to five years penal servitude
with hard labor in her mHjesty's Jail i'll
Sydney. In Jail he worked so hard
that ere long he had TO be sent to the
hospital.
Ii was while patient that Wesley
formed the resolution Of becoming bush
ranger. When convaIescent and daily
expecting to be ordered back to his gang,
hecontrived to make his escape. The very
first evening after escaping, he happened
into Il cottage on Bricllfeld Hill, Sydney,
where he obtained a change of apparel
from the Woman Of the house, a fowling
piece and some ammunition that were
suspended over the mantel-piece. Prom
sing to pay for them some day, he start
ed away. Before he had gone Il mile on
the road Il horseman splendidly mounted
approached When Westley pointed
his gun and ordered him to dismount
and deliver, the order was instantly
obeyed The brigand mounted. The
high-mettled steed impatiently champed
the bit, the rider gave him rein, and
both were forty miles from Sydney by
midnight, iii the dark recesSes of the
Blue Mountains.
OF the five years for which he was
sentenced he served only eighteen months.
Meantime Susan, his sweetheart, had
been married to old Brown. 1t was hard
news, and he was proetrated for several
days. She must be informed of his
escape, however, and a messenger must
be sent to ask for him her forgiveness.
This at least was due to himself and might
be some satisfaction to her
Two days after this ''swagman," or
tramp, called at Browns and asked
that worthy for job of work. Mr.
Brown had no work for him, but as
it was late in the evening he 3ade the
man stay and rest himself all night, ac-
cording to the customs of the country.
The man put down his sHag and went to
the kitchen, as invited. Susan, Browns
young bride, was in and out preparing
supper, directing things generally for
the family and one or two guests. The
old swagman, watching his oppor
tunity, slipped a note from Wesley
into her hand, to the effect ti.at
he was sorry for having given her
pain, asking her forgiveness before quit
ting that part Of ,ko country forever, and
adding that if she desired further intelli
gence the bearer could furnish it. Half
an hour alterward Mrs Brown returned
to the kitchen. Her eyes were red she
had been weeping. The family we're at
supper inside. The old man and herself
were alone.
Tell me all about him." she said.
''Not here. not now,' replied the old
man.
Then in the orchard, by and by. when
l give YOU the signal, " she said, and she
inside.
The signal was given when supper was
over, and while Mr.. Brown and his guests
were drinking hot brandy and water, the
old man glidel out and met her
81 want to know if he thinks of old
times" she said
''1ou have read his letter.
at Is 50 short !"
Would you wish to see him."
"Of all men in the world !"
The old man whistled. In five minutes |
Westley stood before her. By break of
day next morning she was with Wesley
Oh the Gundagai ranges.
Wesley lived the life of bushranger
for some years, but vas at length caught
ana again imprisoned, and after his par
Ion he sailed for San Francisco, where
ie has led quiet life for Il number of
ears.
Gold Behind the A'O0IIGgEts.