San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-11-22

ss q. A Th-illisg scene.
In recent case 10 the Recorder
court. Attorney j. W. Donovsn toll
, the following story. which is, T th,
Public Spirit believes. quite new. II
it halls from Texas. rd hrc1.
On hot day in July. 1860, . herds
man was moving his cattle to . new
ranch further North, near Helena Tex
q, and PASSING down the banks Of !
stream, his herd became mixed With
other cattle that were grazing In the
I sslley, and some Of them failed 10 b.
separated. The next day about noon
band Of Texas rangers overlook the
herdsmau aud demanded their cattle,
which they said were stolen.
1t was before the days of law and
court houses. in Texas. and one had
better kill five men than steal mule
worth five dollars, and the herdsmau
knew it. He tried to explain, but
they told him to cut it short. He
offered to turn over all the cattle not
bis own, but they laughed at the pro.
position, and told him that they usu.
ally con6scated the whole herd and
left the thief hanging to q tree as "a
warning to others in like cases,
Tho poor fellow was completely
overcome.
They consulted apart for a few mo.
ments and then told him if he had
any explanation to make or business
to do, they would allow him ten min
utes to do so and defend himself.
He turned to the rough faces and
commenced: "How laany of you have
wives ?" Two or three nodded. "How
many Of you ohildren?' They nod.
ded again.
"Then I know who I am talking
to and you'll hear me-" and he con-
tinued: II never stole any cattle; I
have lived in these parts over three
years. I came from New Hampshire;
/ failed in the fall Of $50, during the
panic; I have been saving have no
home here my family remains East
ssI fRseR RsR glussIp ple9s t. place these
hard looking customer; but this is q
hard country days seem like months
to me. and months like years; married
men, you know that but for letters
from home-(here he pulled out
handful of well-worfpenvelope and
letters from his wife)-I should get
discouraged. I have paid part Of my
debts. Here are the receipts" and
uufolded the letters of acknowledge
ment. II expected to sell out in Nov,
ember. Here is the Testarv Is my
good old motbasre, and he kissed it !
lliHiderly and continued: Nov men,it
YOU HAVE DECIDED TO KILL ME
for what am innocent Of, send these
home, and send as much as you can
from the cattle when I'm dead. Cant
YOU send half the value :? my family
will need it," .,l
"Hold on now; stop right thar"
said a rough ranger. Now l say
bows" he continued, II say let him go.
Give us your hand, old boy; that pic
ture and them letters did the business.
You can go free; but you're lucky
mind ye." >,
"We'll do more than that" said q
man with big heart, in Texas garo.
and carrying the customary brace OF
pistols in his belt. "let's buy his cattle
here and let him 60"
They did, and when the money was
paid over, and the man about to start
he was too weak to stand. The long
strain of hope and fear, being away
from home under such circumstances
the sudden deliverauce from death
had com bined to render him helpless
as O child, He sank to the ground
completely overcome. An hour later
however, he lett on horseback for the
nearest stage route, and, as they shook
hands and bade him good bye, they
looked the hsppiest band Of men ev'
er saw.