St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-09-26
st. SJofulsburp Gtaleduniall.
An Appeal Which Saved Life.

In a recent case in the recorders
court, Attorney J. w. Donovan told the
following story, which is, the Public
Spirit believes, quite new. 1t halls from
Texas:
One hot day in July, 1860, herds
man was moving his cattle to new
rancho further north, near Helena,
Texas, and passing down the banks of
a stream, his herd became mixed with
other cattle that were grazing in the
valley, and some of them failed to be
separated The next day about noon a
band of a dozen mounted Texan rangers
overlook the herdsman and 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 to steal a mule
worth five dollars, and the herdsman
knew it, He tried to explain, but they
told him to cut it short. He offered to
turn over all the cattle not his own,
but they laughed at this proposition,
and limited that they usually cOnfiscat-
ed the whole herd, and left the thief
hanging on tree as warning to 9TH
ers in like cases.
The poor fellow was completely over
come. They consulted apart a few
moments and then told him if he had
any explanation to make or business to
do they would allow him ten minutes
to do so, and defend himself.
He turned to the rough faces and
commenced: GLOW many of you have
wives ?" Two or three nodded. elbow
many of you have children 2" They nod
ded again.
''Then | know who am talking to
and you'll hear me-" and he continued !:
81 never stole any cattle have lived
in these parts over three years. / came
from New Hampshire l failed there in
the fall of 81, during the panic; have
been saving; lived on hard fare; l
have slept on the ground l have no
home here; my family remain east for
l go from place to place; these clothes
/ wear are rough and i am hard look
ing customer but this is hard cOun-
try days seem like months to me, and
months like years married men, you
know that but for the letters from home
there he pulled out a handful of we'll
worn envelopes and letters from his
wife)-I should get discouraged. / have
paid part of my debts. Here are the
receipts !" and he unfolded the letters
of acknowledgement. 81 expected to
sell out and go home in November.
Here is the testament my good old
mother gave me; here is my little girls
picture" and he kissed it tenderly and
continued ''Now, men, if you have
decided to kill me for what am inno-
cent of, send these home, and send as
much as you can from the cattle when
l am dead. Can't you send half the
value My family will need it."
'HOld on, now; stop right thar p
said rough ranger. 'NOw l say,
boys" he continued, 81 say let him go.
Give us your hand, old boy that picture
and them letters did the business. You
can go free but your lucky, mind ye."
"We'll do more than that" said
man with big heart, in Texan garb,
and carrying the customary brace of
pistols in his belt, "let's buy his cattle
here and let him CO."
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 hopes and fears, being away
from home under such trying circum-
stances, the sudden deliverance from
death, had combined to render him
helpless as a child. He sank to the
ground completely overcome. An hour
later, however, he left on horseback
for the nearest stage route, and as they
shook hands and babe him good-by,
they looked the happiest band of men
ever SAW I. Dispatch.