Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-11-01
STANDING UNDER THE MOOSE.

In recent case in the Recorders Court
Attorney j. w. Donovan told the fol-
lowing story. 1t halls from Texas:
On a hot dty in Jdly, 1860, herds
man was moving his cattle to a new
ranch further north, near Halena, Texas,
and passing down the banks ofa stream
his herd became mixed with other cattle
that were grazing in the valley and some
OF them failed a. be separated. The next
/ day about noon band of about dozen
mounted Texan rangers overlook the
herdsman and demanded their cattle
which they said were stolen.
1t was before the day Of law and court
house IN Texas, and one had better kil
five men than steal n mula worth So, and
the herdsman knew it. He tried to ex.
plain, but they told him to cut it short.
He offered t. turn over all the cattle not
his own, but they laughed at the propo
siton aud hiuted that they usually con-
liscated The whole herd and left the thief
hanging on tree US warning to others
in like cases.
The poor fellow was completely over
come. They consulted apart for a few
minutes and then told him If he had any
expanati, II to make or business to do
they would allow hin ten minutes to do
SO and defend himself.
He TUNED to the rough faces and com
mence d: ''How many of you have
wives?" Two or three nodded "How
many of you have children" They nod
ded again.
Then l know who l am talking to,
and you II hear mes" and he continued:
IL never stole'any cattle. | have lived
in these parts over three years. | came
from New Hampshire. failed in the
Fall of 81, during the panic. ] have
been starving. | have no home here; my
family remain East, for 60 from place
to place. These clothes l weur are rough
and am a hard booking customer; bu'
this is hard country. Days seem like
months to ne, and months like yeats
Married men, you know that but for the
letters from home (here ne pulled ont n
handful OF welhworn envelopes and let
ters from his wile) should get discourage
ed. l nave paid part of my debts. Here
are the receipts, and he unto ldtd the let
ters of acknowledgement | expect to
sell out and go home in Novem ber Here
is the testament my good old mother
gave ne; here is rly isle girl picture"
and he kissed it tenderIy, and continued:
Nov my men it you have decided to
Kill me fol what | am innocent OF, send
Us much rs you cnn from the cattle when
I'm dead. Can't you send half the val
ue? My family will need it,"
Hold on, now, stop right thar !" said
rough ranger. Nov, say, boys" he
ontnued, Il say, let him go. Give us
your hand, old boy; that picture and
them letters did the business. You can
60 tree, but you're lleky, mind ye."
"Well do more than that, said man
with big heart, in Texan grab and cur
rying the customary brace of pistols in
his belt; "let's buy his cattle here and let
him GO"
They did, and when the money was
paid over aud the man about to start he
was too weak to stand. The long strain
of hopes and fears, being away from
home under .uCh irving circumstance
the sudden deliverance from death, had
combined 30 render 1im helpless as
child. He sank to the ground complete
ly overcome. An hour later, however,
he left on horseback for the nearest stag
ing route, and, as they shook hands and
bade him good,hy, they looked the hap
piest band OF men | ever aw.-DenUer
Ne,OS.