The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-12-18


him down, placin' his head on his breast.
Quick as l could l tore open his
clothes, and close to where 1 could see
his heart beatin' was round red mark,
with slow stream Of blood trinkling
from it.
'I'd seen bullet wounds afore, and
know'd at once what was the matter,
@H'I feel Pm dyin', said the stranger, af-
ter lying awhile with his eyes shut.
At hope not said l, I'D go for doctor,
but there's none higher than ten miles
z n'Twouldn't be no use,' says he. No
doctor coufdg at,where the trouble is
Pm filing up with blood inside, and it'll
soon choke me-
Tknow'd what he meant He was shot
-in,the chest and was bleeding inwardly.
"There is one thing want you to do,'
says he, 'on your word of honor to dy-
ing man.
"'What is it?' says 1.
. n 'Will you give me your word to do it|
says he.
I: Z L WILL says I, ifit's thing an honest
man may do
ST wouldn't ask you to do nothing else,'
pays he-'not in my last moments. I've
got my death from one I've always loved
dearly. Should he be discovered and
punished for his crime, it would disgrace
o name which prize more than life. No
Z one seen nae come here. When I'm dead
bury me in some secret spot and say
nothin', and then nobody will ever
know my fate but you and the man
whose conscience will be his own pun
ishment.'
sa Il looked down in the pale face turned
up to mine. There was somethin' in it,
that hadn't the heart to say no.
. 4 took his hand and pressed tit was
fast growin' cold.
,s II PROMISE ssid l.
He lay quiet spell-then took away
his hand, and from an inside pocket took
y s.Take this~ft4s yours he said,' put.
TIM it in my hand-'there's no one else
now would wish to have it,
I pushed it back, but he said:
keep tits my last wish
Then his eyes turned CLASSY. l drop
Z. ped the pocket.book and catChin' him
z in my arms raised up his head. He gave
\ one or two long breaths, and sank back
dead.
4 laid him down gently, folded his
arms across his breast, closed his eyes,
and covered his face with the sheet.
iI'Ae been too long out there on the
E 4 sy,1 oil vr,tkh
man and any possible consequences
to myself was too confused then to
think.
'Afore l know'd, daylight was stream.
in in at the window.
4 must keep my word, said and
got up and went out and got my spade.
Down near by my cabin was shady
nook where the wild grape vines had
growed up over the trees, maxim sort
of nat'ral arbor.
There's where I'll lay him. says I {;
and l went to work and dug grave at a
spot where the vines hung down like
weepin' willers. Then l went back to
the house and windin' the body in ruy
z best sheet, carried it in my arms, and
,7laid it in the grave.
: ~ earth to earth and dust to DUST says
Il, before shovein' in the clay.
When had finished, and had scraped
back the dead leaves oyer the grave sos
to hide the spot, and was just turnin'
away, who should step out afore me but
Jess Roker.
''Hev you been diggin' ginsang, neigh.
borP says he, with an inquisitive grin.
No, l hain't,' says l, little Crusty,
and walkin' of, for never liked Jess's
pryin' ways.
well, some days afterwards was sit
tin in my cabin reading my Bible when
squad of men rid up and came in with
out waitin' to be axed.
''You are my prisoner says the one
at the head, clappin' his hand on my
shoulder.
"What for2' says 1.
''For murderp says he,
And then they began searchin the
premises and presently they found the
dead mans pocket book, which l had
put away after couutin' the money.
Where did you get this p says the
man who spoke afore.
Il won't tell, says l.
, a'Why not p says he.
rSs'Because I've give my word to a dead
man, says |, and | won't go back
on it,
"Ill SHOW you where the dead man
is,' says Jess Roker, comm fOrrid with
his sneakin' grin.
Then | know'd Jess had been caves
droppin' at the funeral, and had given
information agin me. l made dash at
him, but dozen hands seized and held
me fast
Jess led the way to the grape vines,
and in few minutes the body | had
buried was removed from itsI-r resting
place. -a,ys
What have you to say now p says
the Sheriff. ~,
''Nothin', says I, Remembering my
promise.
Then a strange man present spoke to
the Sheriff in private. They examined
the pocket book together. Then I.was
handCufed, and took away thirty miles
to Jail.
"Twould be too long a story to tell all
that passed till 1 was tried. A young
lawyer took up my case. For a long
time l wouldn't tell him anything. l in
sisted I'd given my word to dying man
and could not break it, But the lawyer
was a smart chap and outgeneraled me.
His main pint was that lawyer was
bound to keep his clients secrets, and
anything told him would be as safe as
with myself. Besides, he said, whatever
promise had given, the law would i'm
ply condition that wasn't bound to
keep it at the risk of bein' hanged; and
even il I'd agreed to be hanged sooner'n