Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-07-28

and cynicism, when we thought that q trip
to the mountains would perhaps change
the gloomy character Of our thoughts, and
where, communing with Nature, we might
be enabled to realize a more sublime crea-
ton than the worm we were. Take it as
you please, question until truth asserts its
grand p~rerogative, there "a something in
the heart Of man which means confidence
and love to his fellow man. Our funds
were limited to the extent of superlatiyc
i~mpecuniosity, and 80 taking our staff,
without scrip, we wended our weary way
to the summit Of the mountain, little
thinking that we would meet an old school
mate and friend, who in his own home is
regarded as a fugitive from justice and an
outoast from society But SO it was. We
found him, and the recognition was nu-
tual. 1t may be proper to say right here
that our friend was not Of plebeian extrac-
ton ; that he could have had in his old
home all that heart could w~ish-iuxury, in
dolencc and Establishments to full safety.
We were glad to meet him, but we could
not tell. from his expression, manner or
appearance, whether he rejoiced at the
meeting. He knew perfectly we'll that he
had no danger to apprehend from our
knowledge of his residence, and he also
knew that . friend who had once helped
him in q city celebrated for its clann:sh
proclivities, would not give hirA away,
When we left him at home he wss young
gay, full Of life and hope he ~ "
no clouds, his life was sunshine
and beautiful dreams. But too soon
his hopes. His convivial nature led
to excuses, aud in o fit Of anger
he killed one who had grossly insulted
him. He was arrested for murder, and
confined in the tier of cells assigned to
murderers. Under the strict rule Of law
he was q murderer, for intoxication rather
aggravates than mitigates; were it not 80,
ell that one had to do, to get rid Of an en-
envy, would be to get drunk, and plead in
toxication in extenuation of the offense.
II was q well known fact that the Judge,
then presiding, had laid down this rule 80
clearly in o case OF q similar character,
which happened about q year previous
where every influence was brought to bear,
both social and political, to save the pris-
oner, but without avail; that the friends Of
the one now referred to, saw but one
chance to save his neck from the gallows,
and the family name from dishonor; viz
escape. At the time Of the commission Of
the ofIense, we were q student in the Office
Of Col. B., the ablest lawyer in Western
Pennsylvania, and who had been the at
torney for the brother Of the party ac-
cused Of the crime Of murder. No one can
imagine the deep grief Of that brother, nc
n can tell how he was bowed down in
.xx~...t 40 .x.- -. I.xtnk 4la xrrt ~
that household. Something had to be
done, and something was done. He es-
capped in woman's clothes, and
We found him yesterday, but, oh
how changed. From the gay, ar
dent ambitious youth he had changed to
be the suspicious hermit OF the hills.
Wild, haggard, prematurely old, he pre-
scented . wonderful contrast to the grand
looking youth who stepped into life and
light from q murderer's cell clad in the
apparel Of woman nearly twenty years ago.
We gained his conidence-it is hardly nec-
essary to say this; we always had it. The
party he killed was 4 worthless vagabond,
who prided himself in insulting every one
who claimed superior qualifications either
by birth or education. He paid the penalty
Of assinine rashness, and q majority Of the
community believed properly. On this
coast there would have been no danger, for
here certain expressions and demonstra-
ions are tantamount to the first blow, and
mean 10 protect yourself and take the legiti-
mate consequences.
We accompanied him to his cabin; we
learned Of his wandcrings, his hopes and
despair, his exile from home, his craving
TO hear from father, mother, brothers and
sisters, and the great big tears furrowed
his checks. You know all, he said, and
from the time you left me in st. Louis,
when the officers Of the law were On my
track, l have not heard one word from
home. can trust you, you aided me, but
l don't know but that l should have been
better off had I paid the penalty of my
crime. ! I'M q vagabond, . fugitive from
justice. / view with suspicion every soul l
meet, and am in constant dread and fear.
Had l been myself, / would not have killed
him; but oh! when you write nome do not
tell them that you have met me. Do not
whisper to a soul my whereabont. for now.
after the lapse Of years, how hard it would
be for them; not for me. for you know l
am not q coward, to have me brought back
aud tried for murder.
Having reconciled him to the belief that
we had no such intention, and that our
meeting was purely accidental, We proceed
ed to question him ~ to his wanderings
since the time Of his escape. Upon leaving
the Jail in woman's garb, he met q friend
in waiting who supplied him with proper
masculine apparel, and conveyed hin to a
place Of safety. He had adopted many dis
gnises prior TO our meeting him in st.
Louis, where lac was living in retirement.
He had plenty Of money. but no one
suspected for . moment that the Chief
Of Police Of this city, where the crime was
perpetrated was on his track. One even
ing, at the Planters House, he brushed
against him, although his disguise was so
complete that his own mother would not
have known him. His friends were watch
ing him, and they were paid to do SO.
From st. Louis he went to New Orleans /;
from New Orleans to New York New York
to Liverpool took in the Continent; went
to China, engaged in business and failed
thought the goddess Of r~etributive justice
was pursuing him ; left China for Austria
iia; went into the mines, and found q
.'towney," whom he thought would give
him away, but, as he told us, ''our boys
are true, he knew all about ii, and would
nave died before giving me away. We en-
| tered into copartnership, and for . time
| prospered. He was one OF the best fellows
you ever knew, but he had consumption /;
he could not work. All his means were
exhausted, and / male up my mine that
he should nave all mine and all I could
beg or borrow, to keep him along but the
disease had gone too far, medical skill
could not save him, and l shed the first
| tears since leaving home when ! saw
his body consigned to tho earth.
I could not stay there any longer,
having been in many mining camps on the
| Pacific slope, have been in Eureka for
about a year, and until l saw you, thought
that I was unknown. No one but you
knows my true name, and ! know well
enough that the companion Of my boy
hood. and one who assisted me when l was
in trouble, would not low give me away.
You know where 10 find me, you are al
ways welcome. and want you 70 bring