The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-10-01
ESCAPED the Rope.

One hot day in July, 1860. herdsman
was moving his cattle to new ranche
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 band of a dozen
mounted Texan rangers overlook the
herdsman and demanded their cattle,
which they said were stolen.
In those days one had better kill i've
men than to steal mule worth five
dollars, and the herdsman knew 1t. Tie
tried to explain but they toldhim to cut
it short. He offered to turn over all the
cattle not his own, but they laughed at
his 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 apart for 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 COM
menced: "How many of you have
wives?" Two or three nodded. How
many of you have children?" They
nodded again.
"Then I know who I am talking to
and you'll hear me-" and he continued !:
Il never stole any cattle; have lived
in these parts over three years: | came
from New Hampshire; I failed there in
the fall of 81 during the panic; | have
been saving; I lived on hard fare; l
have slept on the ground; I have no
home here; my family remain East, for
20 from place to place; these clothes l
wear are rough, and am a hard-lookipg
customer: but this is a hard country !;
days seem like months to me; and
months like years; married men, you
know that but for the letters from
home," (here he pulled out a handful. OF
well-worn envelopes and letters from
his wife)" should get discouraged. I
have paid part of my debts Here are
the ereceipts;" and he unfolded the let
ters of acknowledgment. ." I 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. Now, men, if you have de-
cided to kill me for what am innocent
of, send these home and send as much as
you can for the cattle when I'm dead.
Can't you send half the value? my
family willneed it." .
Hold on, now; stop right tharm said
a rough ranger. "Now, I say, boys, :"
he continued. II say. let him 60. Give
US your hand, old boy; that picture
and them letters did the business. You
can 60 tree; but you're lucky, mind ye."
1--WE can do more than that" said a
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 cir
cumstances, the sudden deliverancefro
death, had combined to render him
helpless as 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 bade him goodbye.
they looked the happiest band of men 1
ever saw.