The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-02-14
THE DYING OUTLAW.
a True Story.

MY SINUS nfe alnost run. My lamp OF
life is family Pickering III its socket. l
have escaped once more the hounds OF
justice, but they have given me my
death wound; and ere the rising sun
reaches bis meridian I shall have looked
my last on earth. II ~ -a-.-.z-
A few moro 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 reccsses- have often rung with, the
loud shouts Of trevelry, and the hoarse
cry oirge, shall become my tomb. A
few moro la6ored brcaths and this deep
strong voice, which has SO. long been
used to command. ruffian crew, shall
become silent forever. Oh, earth, thou
hast never seemed so dear Oh, life,
thou hast never been so sweet as now /
Yet, why should I seek to prolopg a
life so iraught With peril, SO abandoned,
so futile, so protiigate. g Already fifty
years have gone over me, and how have
consumed them Whom have 1 be-
Ericnded Whose distress have re-
lieved Whose conditions have 1
bettereai Whose grief hayo | palli-
ated orwhat tOnaof pity ever moved
rnyheart2 Tho last twenty years I have
passed MS clief OF bold and reckless
gang Of robbers md desperadocs, who
have long infested this region, ravaging
villas, plurdering houses, waylaying
and robbiug the luckless traveller by
night and by day, sparing no rank,
needing no cry, hearing no prayer.
For twenty yeats inye been branded
q felou, and hunted like beast OF prey.
Large rewards havc been offered for my
capture, and troops OF armed men have
secured the country in search of my
stronghold. And many a brave fellow
hRs been hurried to his last account
whilc daring to search for my retreat
among tho mountain passes. Thus far
I have baaled ull pursuit, and our rem.
devious has remained secret with the
gang. But to-day, after o desperate
conflict with body Of troops, the last
ui the band has been slnin or captured
aud havc escaped only to die in soil.
tude. 3 ~
Oh, how miserable life have led!
I would not recall the past, but it will
pass in review before me. Gladly
would l draw the veil over all savo that
Of early life, which rises before me like
blissful vision, rendered teniold lovely
by the sweet fNce of my sainted mother,
radiant with love for her merry happy
boy.
All, those were halcyon days-days in
which my mother strovc to guide mo in
tho WY Of truth and virtue; and with
tue sacred volume open OIL her lap, oft
drew mo to her side, placed her soft
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 tho wise and
good whose names were written there;
then with kiss upon my ruddy cheek,
told me how much it would solaco her
declining. years should l become o man
of honor, truth and worth.
grew to manhood; and then my
mothers teachings were unheeded and
forgotten. l formed evil associations, l
drank, l gambled, l fell. : gssl
Ono dreat and starless night robbed
y traveller on the moor; tightly clutch
ing his purse r0f gold, hurried to my
chamber, Enatched q bundle from re.
cess, crept softly down the stairway,
gained the bedside OF my mother. press.
cd one Inst kiss upon her wrinkled
brow, and, receiving n murmured "God
bless You" from her dreaming lips, 1cd,
and never saw her more. When she
heard Of my guilt, with n bitter vail she
sank beneath the stroke, md they laid
her in tho valley.
For two years trnverscd the conti-
nont, rowing from place TO place with
! o definite aim or object except to con.
ceal my crime. L had gold, but there
was curse oil every farthing. l drank
from every cupOt pleasure which human
ingenuity could prepare; but terror
and rcmorse embittcred every dauglt.
Tho grim aud rolentless phantom which
ever follows guilt pursued INC every
where. At length | joined n band Of
brigands, shared their peril aud their
plnnder, and, by my daring and success,
ere long became their leader, and thus q
source of fear ant apprehension to the
peaceful Traveller, OF dread and anxiety
to the quiet home. ......
In various gIises l fr0quented So
cicty, moving in tho highNr circles rs n
foreigner Of rlnk and wealth, I sat at
the festive boaril OF merchant princes, l
chatted in tho drawing.rooms OF tho
richest mobiles OF tho land. I danced in
halls where pride and beauty met. l
whirled In the giddy waltz with diamond
dcclsed bellies, who never dreamed their
gallant, dark eyed partner was tho dAr-
lug robber chief.
Once, while on brief visit to pretty
rurLl village, l rescued beautiful peas
mt girl from drowning and as / bore
hcr fainting form to the cottage Of her
widowed mother, uearath hand, I thought
I had never seen n face OF such marvel
ous beauty and lovOliness. Being re.
stored to consciousness and learning
tho situation sho thanked me with such
a dapth of enruestncss and sincerity,
and such look Of gratitude, as thrilled
me with exquisite joy. l requested
permission to cali next day, which was
granted. aud thus began an acquaint.
auces which grew to friendship and
ripened into love. I became a daily
visitor at the cottage. / found her in.