The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-02-10
THE DYING OUTLAW.
A True Story.

a True Story.
My sands are almost run. My lamp of
life is family Pickering in its socket. 1
nave escaped once more the hounds of
Justice, but they have given me my
death wound; and ere the rising sun
reaches his meridian I shall have looked
my last on earth.
A few more pulsations of the heart,
and this old mountain cavern, which
has been the scene of SO many wild
riots and midnight orgies, whose Deep
est recesses have often rung with the
loud shouts of revelry, and the hoarse
cry of rage, shall become my tomb. A
few more labored breaths and this deep
strong voice, which has so long been
used to command q ruflian crew, shall
become silent forever. Oh, earth, thou
hast never seemed so dear Oh, life,
thou hast never been so sweet rs now |!
Yet, why should 1 seek to prolong q
life so fraught with peril, so abandoned,
so futile, so profiigate. Already fifty
years have gone over me, and how have
L consumed them 2 Whom have 1 be-
friended3 Whose distress have I re-
lieved Whose conditions have 1
bettered? Whose grief have l palli-
ated or what tone of pity ever moved
my hearts The last twenty years have
passed as chief of bold and reckless
gang of robbers and desperadoes, who
have long infested this region, ravaging
villas, plundering houses, waylaying
and robbing the luckless traveller by
night and by day, sparing no rank,
needing no cry, hearing no prayer.
For twenty years L have been branded
felop, and hunted like beast of prey.
Large rewards have been offered for nv
capture, and troops of armed men have
secured the country in search of my
stronghold. And many brave fellow
has been hurried to his last account
while daring to search for my retreat
among the mountain passes. Thus far
1 have baffied all pursuit, and our rem
devious has remained secret with the
gang. But to-day, after a desperate
conflict with body of troops, the last
OF the band has been slain or captured,
and 1 have escaped only to die in soil
tude.
Oh, how miserable a life 1 have led!
l would not recall the past, but it will
pass in review before. me. Gladly
would draw the veil over all save that
of early life, which rises before me like
a blissful vision, rendered tenfold lovely
by the sweet face of my sainted mother,
radiant with love for her merry happy
boy.
All, those were halcyon days-days in
which my mother strove to guide me in
the way of truth and virtue; and with
the sacred volume open on her lap, oft
IL 70 har Stl 10
hand upon my boyish head, and toying
with my curly locks, taught me from
its priceless pages, urged me to obey its
precepts, and emulate the wise and
good whose names were written there;
then with kiss upon my ruddy cheek,
told me how much it would solace her
declining years should become a man
of honor, truth and worth.
grew to manhood; and then my
mothers teachings were unheeded and
forgotten. formed evil associations, l
drank, gambled, fell.
One drear and starless night robbed
traveller on the moor; tightly clutch
ing his purse Of gold, hurried to my
chamber, snatched bundle from re-
cess, crept softly down the stairway,
gained the bedside of my mother, press
ed one last kiss upon her wrinkled
brow, and, receiving murmured "God
bless you " from her dreaming lips, fed,
and never saw her more. When she
heard of my guilt, with bitter wall she
sank beneath the stroke, and they laid
her in the valley.
For two years L traversed the conti-
nent, rowing from place to place with
definite aim or object except to con-
ceal my crime. 1 had gold, but there
was a curse on every farthing. 1 drank
from every cupof pleasure which human
ingenuity could prepare; but terror
and remorse embittered every draught.
The grim and relentless phantom which
ever follows guilt pursued me every
where. AT length 1 joined band of
brigands, shared their peril and their
plunder, and, by my daring and success,
ere long became their leader, and thus a
source of fear anU apprehension to the
peaceful traveller, of dread and anxiety
to the quiet home.
In various guises 1 frequented So
ciety, moving in the higher circles as
foreigner of rank and wealth. sat at
the festive board of merchant princes, l
SlopVONt III OllO VI UilO
richest mobiles of the land. I danced in
halls where pride and beauty met. 1
whirled IN the giddy waltz with diamond
decked bellies, who never dreamed their
gallant, dark eyed partner was the dar-
ing robber chief.
Once, while on brief visit to pretty
rural village, rescued beautiful peas
ant girl from drowning and as l bore
her fainting form to the cottage of her
widowed mother, near at hand, I thought
/ had never seen a. face of such marvel
ous beauty and loveliness. Being re-
stored to consciousness and learning
the situation she thanked me with such
depth Of earnestness and sincerity,
and such look of gratitude, as thrilled
me with exquisite joy. / requested
permission to call next day, which was
granted, and thus began an acquaint-
ance which grew to friendship and
ripened into love. 1 became daily
visitor at the Cottage. found her in
fallioapf op1 aduoafad havo,l ,.,oak oe