Litchfield enquirer., 1879-10-16

A LIFE SAVED BY WEES LETTERs.-The following story was told recently in Denver (Col. court: On a'hot day in July, 1860, a herdslhan was moving his cattle toa new ranch further north, near Helena, Texas, and passing down the banks of stream his herd became mixed with other cattle that were grazing in the valley and some of them failed to be sepa- rated. The next day about noon a band of about a. dozen mounted Texan rangers over took the herdsnan and demanded their cattle which they said were stolen.s EtHs
 It was before the day of law and court houses in Texas, and one had better kill five men than steal mule worth $5, and the herds man 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 laugh ed at the proposition, and hinted that they usu- ally confiscated the whole herd and left the thief hanging on tree as warning to others in like cases. .--.+- .-s
 The poor fellow was completely overcome. They consulted apart for few moments, and then told him if he had any explanations to make or business to do they would allow him ter minutes to do so and defend himself.
 He returned 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 l know wlwho I am talking to and you'll hear me-" and he continued: II never stole any cattle; I have lived in these parts over three years; came from New Hampshire l failed in the fall of 1857, during the panic; have been saving 1 have no home here; my family remain east for l go from place to place; these clothes 1 wear are rough and am hard looking 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 Aetters from home There he pulled ont d handful of well worn envelopes and letters from his wife] l should get dis outraged I have paid part of my debts Here are the receipts, and he unfolded the let ters of acknowledgement. expected to sell out and go home in November Here is the testament my good mother gave me here is my little girls picture," and he kissed it ten derly and continued: "Now, men, if 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 Pm dead. Can't you send half the value2 My family will need it."
 ''Hold on, now; stop right thar ?" said rough ranger. ''Now, say, boys," he con- tinued. Il say, let him go. Give us your hand, old boy; that picture and them letters did the business. You can go free, but you're lucky, mind ye." ...
 "We'll do more than that" said man with a big heart in Texan garb and carrying the customary brace of pistols in his belt, ''lets buy his cattle here and let him go."
 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 try ing circumstances, the sudden deliverance from death, had combined to render him help less as child He sank to the ground com pletely overcome. An hour later, however, he left on horseback for the nearest staging route, and, as they shook hands and bade him good bye, they looked the happiest band of men ever saw e~~f ~~%@ "~>@"