Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-24

few months and go back to the "States.' The
| ordinary way CT making money too slow.
But once more was as buoyant with hope as the
day first got my license to practice returned TO
the hotel to write Inez long letter, and then be-
gan to think it had been three months since one had
been received from her. But wrote her one full OF
hope for the future telling her that she must make
up her mind to come out here that my fee in this
case was ten thousand dollars, portion of which
would send her in few days to come out on. In
fact, as soon as got my new partnership fixed up
| might go back for her went to bed and dreamed
OF brilliant future.
Next morning three letters were laid OIL my table,
One was from my client, containing check for sl,-
900, and saying that he had been called suddenly
away, but would remit the balance IN a week. The
next was from Tom Aliens sister, saving that she
had moved to California and was living in Lake
City, Nevada county, and from the report OF the
trial had learned for the first time where her
brothers old friend could be found; the words of
the third burned into my very soul-dried up as it
were the marrow in my bones In the agony OF my
despair cursed God, that might die These words
burn in my memory like the branding iron in the
flesh. fcan see them standing out in bold relief
now in that delicate hand. 1 have not dared to
think Of them for years. wonder il have courage
to write them over again. Let me see.
LEBANON, KY, September Q, 80
Sir am panied beyond expressiol to find that
all these years have been cruelty deceived in YOU
had no idea of the depth of degradation into which
you capable Of falling. Your way through life
lies in one direction; mine in another. Henceiorth
you must not cross my pathway. hope this is plain
:, INEz HENDERSON.
l scrutinized the writing-there could be no mis-
taking it / could swear that it was hers. The ad
dress on the envelope was certainly genuine. Then
it stated simple iact-I had gone down, down until
| almost hated myself. Well, of thing was
certain-she would never hear from me again.
was astonishei at my calmness. After the
first few minutes it was the calmness of despair.
could only say God bless her, she is right"
Then came the old saying, +" What's the use? Why
hope against hopes'
Iistlessly and aimlessly took the stage for Ne
vada City, and from there to my old claim on the
South FORK. From there started out on foot for
Lake City to see the sister of my old friend, intend
ing also to visit Tom Aliens grave. l had most Of
the thousand dollars with me that my client had
sent, and while at the bridge took out my purse to
pay trifng bill. had not gone far when was
struck on the head, from behind, by some one did
not see and fell senseless to the ground. When
came to l found had been shot Immediately over
the heart but that 1t mere scratch; the ball
had glanced round. Two horses, which recognized
as those of two Of my best friends, were standing
hitched near the roadside. had left these men at
the bridge, and they going my way. From
this concluded that they had found me, thought me
dead, and were gone for assistance. My money was
all gone. that robbery was the cause OF the at
tack. As the world was then No more to me, con-
cluded to go and throw myself into the river but as
went down towards the river l found recently
slain deer While death never had any special terror
for me, and / would on more than one occasion have
welcomed it, still had dread OF self.murder.
An idea seized me | would drag this deer down
to the cliff and throw it over. My friends would
find my tracks, find where bloody carcass had been
dragged along and thrown into the river AS my
name was well known there, Inez would learn pos
tively that was dead, and would leave the coun-
try, AMI she would never, never know airy better
Ii the robbers were captured and hanged for MUIR
der it would serve them right.
When the deer fell over the bank fed from the
spot, and kept going. went down into Mexico and
stayed until the broke out and then Joined the
Southern army, and courted death through all that
terrible struggle. Never one word have heard OF
Inez God bless her, 1 hope she is happy. am
afraid to hear from her. sfraid to think Of her, be-
cause, oh, my God, how love her. Hers was just
sentence passed upon me- If my worthless life
would give her one moment of pleasure how gladly
would surrender it, by any means except selfmur-
| der.
But now am listless wanderer on the face sof
| the eirth Everywhere / strike lot OF tramps-
those that labor and those that loaf. They give me
the best they have, and have suffered for a
| meal and have never begged one. i always give
| them that old name kentuck, because that was
Yank's christening Gut Of respect they sometimes
call me Captain, sometimes Major, and occasionally
1 get to tie Colonel.
| said was listlessly wandering over the face Of
the earth That was true short TIM ago, but not
now have purpose now. learned accidentally
that Allen Campbell had been arrested for my MUIR
| der that he had escaped from the Jail and had
never since been heard of. This Is the son of Tom
Aliens sister. There is some fearful mistake some
where, and will travel this earth all to find
him if he is alive and clear the stain off the nephew
of the truest man God ever made. 1 begin to feel
some energy in me as / think of tie work before
me- But even if should find him how could he be
completely yindicated and remain dead