The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-09-24
whispered in his ear: Giles dead, but
doesn't want it known.
ESCAPED THE ROPE.

The Thrilling Appeal Which Saved a Life.
In recent case in the Recorders Court,
Attorney J. w. Donovan told the follow
ing story, which is, Public Spirit believes,
quite new. It halls from Texas: -
One hot day in July, 1860, herdsman
was moving his cattle to a new rancho
further north, near Helena, Texas, and
passing down the banks of stream, his
head became mixed with other cattle
that were grazing in the valley, and some
of them failed to be separated. The next
day about noon band of a dozen mount
ed Texan Rangers overlook the herdsman
and demanded their cattle, which they
said we're stolen.
twas 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 confscated the whole herd, and
left the thief hanging on tree as warn
ing to others in like cases.
The poor fellow was completely over
come. They consulted aparta few mo-
ments, 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.
lie turned to the rough faces and COM
menccd. "How many Of you have wivessn
Two or three nodded. "How many Of
you have chlldren?" They nodded again.
Then l know who I'm talking to, and
You'll boar mn Ari IN T
never stole any cattle; have lived II
these parts over three years. came from
| New Hampshire; I failed there in the
fall Of 81, during the panic: have been
saving; I have lived on hard fare; I have
slept on the ground; I have no home here
my family remain East. for I go from
| place to place; these clothes I wear are
rough, and am hard looking custom
er; but this is hard country; days seem
like months to me, and months like years.
married men, you know but that for the
letters from home'- here he pulled out
a handful Of well-worn envelopes and let
tiers from his wife-"I should get dis
ceuraged. I have paid part of my debts
Here are the receipts" and he unfolded
the letters of acknowledgment.
81 expected to sell out and 20 home
in November. Here is the Tesla
ment my good mother gave NJ
nc; here is my little girls picture"
And he kissed it tcnderly, and continued:
"Now, men; if you have decided to kin
me for what am innocent of, send these
home, and send as much as you can from
the cattle when I'm dead. Can't you
send half the value? my family will need
it,
"Hold On, now; stop right thar!' said
a rough ranger ''Now, l say, boys" he
continued, az say, let him 60. Give US
your baud, old boy; that picture and
them letters did the business. You can
60 free; but you're lucky, mind ye.''
"We'il do more than that" said man
with a 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 child. He sank to the
, ground completely overcome. An hour
, later, however, he left on horseback fo-
the nearest stage-route, and, as they
shook hands and babe him good by,
they look ed the happiest band of men
ever saw.