Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-10-25

else, says he--'snot in my last mo-
ments. I'm got my death from one
I always loved dearly.s Should he be
discovered and punished for his crime
it would disgrace q name / priced
higher than life. No one seen me
come here. When I'm dead, bury
me in some secret spot and say moth
in, and then nobody will ever know
my fate, but you and the man whose
conscience will be his own punish
ment.
81 looked down in the pale face
turned up to mine. There was some
thin so beseechin' in it, that hadn't
the heart to say ''no."
"I took his hand and pressed tit
was fast CROWN cold.
~ promise" said 1. =
"He lay quiet quite q spell-then
took away his hand, and from an IN
side pocket took out o thick wallet.
ssTake this--it is yours" he said,
putin it in my hand-there's no one
else now / would wish to have it."
| Ipushed it back, but he said.
ssKeep tits my last wish"
Then his eyes turned CLASSY. l
dropped the pocket-book, and catch
in him in my arms, raised up his
head. He gave one or two long
bresths and sunk back dead.
Hay him gently, folded his arms
across his breast, closed his eyes,
and covered his face with the sheet.
ssI'd been too long out there on
the border 10 fear bein' alone with
dead man and Of any possible con
sequence to myself, I was too confns'
ed then to think.
Afore / know'd, daylight wa
streamin' In at the window.
"I must keep my word" said
and I got up and went out and 60
nv spade. Down near by the cabin
/, was a shady nook where the viii
> grapevines had growed up over tn
L trees, maxim a sort Of nat'ral arboI
v "There's where I'll lay him." say
I: and 1 went to work and dug
grave at g spot where the vines hun
down like weepin' willows. Then
went back to the house, and windii
the body in my best sheet carried
n in my arms and laid it in the grav'
"Earth to earth, and dust to dust! J!
e says I, before shovelin' in the ella,
/. When I'D finished and serape
back the dead leaves over the grave
d SOS to hide the spot, and was ju
turnin' away, who should step e'
II afore me but Jess. Roxer.
"Hev you been diggin' ginsanl
is neighbor!" says he with an inquis
tive grin
t. "No, / hain't," says I, lit
:. crusty and walked off, for 1 new
liked Jess's pryin' ways.
l., Well, some days afterwards, 1 wi
. sittin' in my cabin readin' my bib
one evenin' when squad of men RI
tup and come in without waitin' to
axed. .....
i "You're my prisoner!' says Il
one at the head, clappin' his hand
my shoulder. f.
aWhat for?" says l.
o "For murder!" says he.
a And they began to search Il
le premises, and presently they four
le the dead mans pocket-book, whi'
I'd put away after counting tt
y money. ..... .-.-..-... .. s..
"Wherc did you get this?" sal
ID the man who'd spoke afore.
81 won't tell," says 1.
I'd "Why not!" says he.
ii because I've give my word to
dead man." says I, land l won't
:" back on it."
10 s'IH show you where the dead I'M
is," says Jess. Roxer, ccmin' forr
b. with his sneakish grin.
a Then know'd Jess'd been cave
I'd droppin' at the funeral, and had Civ
n information agin me. made . da
e. at him, but q dozen hands seized m
OF and held me fast.
Jess led the way to the grapevine
ut and In few minutes the man d
re buried was removed from his rest
ck place.
"What have you to say nov
an says the sheriff.
ad s'Nothin' says l." rememberin' I
promise.
m Then strange man present spo
to the sheriff in private. They
alf amined the pocket-book togeth'
Then I was handcuffed, and took
lid away thirty miles to Jail.
his 'Twould be too long q story to
all that passed till I was tired.
his young lawyer took up my case.
i a long time I wouldn't tell him a
nd thing. / insisted I'd give my W.
of to o dyin' man, and couldn't br'
ul- it. But the Law yer was a smart g
nee and out argued me. His main ]
was that lawyer was bound to K
ger his clients secrets, and anything
yes told him d be as safe as with myf
Besides, he said, whatever promis
+ a had given, the law would imply
ten condition that I wasn't bonnd
keep it ut the risk of bein' hang
he. and even If I'd agreed to be han