The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-06-19
AN AUSTRALIAN LOVE STORY.
Why Wesley IJccnuie II Bn.hrnndcr-
Stealing Stock TO Win IL Wife.

lowing story OF 4 resilient OF that city |:
Westlcy was impelled to the career of
bushranging mainly by n desire of re.
venge and love Of adventure. He wns
brought up in the saddle, and was n
tirst-rate horseman md stockrider from
the time no was able to crack o whip.
Australia being ovcrrun with cattle, n
loose freedom prevailed Of branding
other peoples stock, and Wesley took
the fota! step and branded some, too.
This WIS his first transgression, and into
it he was led by his love for his masters
daughter, girl Of some sixteen sum
mers, who returned his passion but was
restrained from openly avowing it
through fear Of her parents. He hoped
by this unlawful means to make money
and then claim her hand.
"What do you think I" she said TO
him one evening MS they sat ut supper.
"WlIat do you ihink1"
"What is iti" he asked.
"They want mo to marry old Brown"
Westley turned pale. We put down
his knife and fork. He had supper
enough for that night. The maiden
smiled.
go on with your supper" she said ;
edo you think I'd marry n man old
enough to be my fathGrl"
she is rich, gasped her lover, "and
has sheep and cattle by thousands.
ooh. We shall have sheep and cattle
when old Brown is dead" shc playfuIIy
added, rs she tripped away in answer to
her mothers call.
Wesley was met by a stockrider,
friend and companion OF his boyhood,
who was, like himself, going to muster
tho cattle Of bis employer. After chat
ting for some time, his mate told him Of
neighboring stockrider who had
branded some Of other peoples cattle for
himself, "and what" said he, ais to
prevent us from doing the same2" He
had unconsciously touched response.
bic chord, for something OF the same
kind was passing Westley's own mind
not long before. That very day opera.
tons were begun, and several other mems
cattle We're branded. The work went
bravely on for several months, and
Wesley stood fair chance OF becoming
n cattle owner OF some consequence,
when, one day, as the young fellows were
corraling and branding, who should ride
up but one Brown and one or two other
settlers whose cattle were being braud-
cd. His companion escaped, but West
ley was arrested and handed over to
custody. He was duly tried and con-
victed, and sentenced to five years
penal servitudo with hard labor in jail
in Sydney. In Jail he worked go hard
10 had to be sent to the hospital.
1t was while a patient that Wesley
formed the resolution of becoming q
bushranger. When convalescent and
daily expecting to DO ordered back to
his gang, he contrived to make his cs-
care. The very first evening after cs-
Gaping he happened into cottage on
Bricklicld hill, Sydney, where 10 OBJ
tained q change Of apparel from the
woman OF the house, n fowling piece
aud some ammunition that we're sus-
pended over the mantelpicce. Promis.
lug to pay for them some dry, he start.
ed away. Before he had gone mile
on the road horseman spendidly
mounted approached. When Westley
pointed his gun and ordered him to
dismount and deliver, the order was in
stantly obeycd. The brigand mounted.
The high melted steed impatiently
champed the bit, the rider gave him
rein, and both were forty miles from
Sydney by midnight, in tile dark recess.
es OF the Blue mountains.
or the five years for which he was
sentenced he served only eighteen
months. Meantime Susan, his sweet
heart, had been married to old Brown.
1t was hard news, and he was Frustrated
for several days. She must DO informed
OF his escape, however, and messenger
must be sent to ask for him her forgive
ness. This 0t least was due to himself
aud might be some satisfaction to her.
Two days after this, "swtgman 3"
or tramp called ut Browns and asked
TINT worthy for job of work. Mr..
Brown had no work for him, but ms it
was late in the evening he babe the man
stay and rest himself all night, accord
ing to the custom Of the country. The
man put down his swag and went to the
kitchen, as invited. Susau, Browns
young wife, was in aud out preparing
supper, directing things generally for
tho family and one or two guests.
The old swagmau, watching his OPP
porlunity, slipped n note from Westley
into her hand, to the effect that he was
sorry for having given her pain, asking
her forgiveness before quitting that part
OF the country forever, and adding that
il she desired further intelligence, the
bearer could furnish II. Half m hour
afterwarl Mrs. Brown returned to tho
kitchen. Her eyes were red; she Ind
been weeping. Tho family were at sup
per inside. Tho old man and herself
were alone.
Tell me all about him." sho said.
"Not here, not now" replied the old
man.
Then i'll the orchard, hy-and bye,
when l give you the signal" she said,
and she vanished inside.
The signal was given when supper wns
over, and while Mr.. Brown and his
guests were drinking hot brandy and
water. Tho old man glided out and met
her.
II want to know II he thinks Of old
times" she said.
Yuu have read his letter"
+" 1t is SO short |"
Would you wish to SEQ him I"
or I'LL men in tho world 7"
The old man whistled. In five min
utes Wesley stood before her. By
break OF day next morning she was with
| WaSllny in ihn Gnn.ln..ns "a nnrnr