Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-11-03

California arrest, trial, conviction. APP
peal, and reversal Of verdict, or, rather
.'verdict set aside. =
{ a man had robbed coach running.
between Stockton and Sonora, con-
cealed the money, all he could carry
about his person, sought lodgings not
far away. and il the night had risen,
stolen horse, and struck a bee line
across the country toward station
where he could get quick transporta-
ton to San Francisco, intending to
start for home by steamer. He be-
longed in Arkansas. In the morning
the horse and rider were missed. "A
party started in pursuit, and in twenty
four hours had his horse broken down
and him corraled. He saw his game
was up, and coolly waited the result.
The party overhauled him at early
dawn. &:E
& Good nornin, stranger"
''Good mornin,":
''Seen anything of man about your
size straddle7 of sorrel mare lookln' q
heap like the one you ridep''
mo, haven't.
"That's a pretty good mare O
yourn.'' - -
s.Yes. she was worth a cool $500, but
she is q little winded now; say. mister,
III give you $500 clean boot for that
one o yourn and stop the deal.'' e.
He was making good bluff. and al
though he knew he was recognized,
his offer would we'll pay for the broken
down horse, and he hoped that his
money would save him. He counted
without his host.
"That's straight blind o. yourn,
pard, and it strains us to come in, but
we're thar, and hold you over. You
look little played out as well as the
mare. If you'll jest git down and join
our little party Ill stretch your legs,
and mebbe you need stretchin' all
over"
He blanched trifle, bnt obeyed in
logged silence. The pursuers all dis
mounted, and the spokesman approach
ing, threw over his head q moose, and
passing the other end of the rope over
u limb of Il tree that overshadowed
them, called the other members of the
party around him.
The culprit stood erect; not a muscle
quivered.
Nov pard, is everything all right?
Does it fit your neck accordin' to Hoy
le?'
''All right.'
''Aave ye got anything to say why
this little picnic shouldn't proceed?'
''Nothin'.'
'Have ye got any word to leave to
yer friends? If yer have, make it
short for we We got to break camp in
side er ten minules.'
Then the stranger lifted his eyes
from the ground for the first time and
looked his self-appointed judge and
executioner steadily in the eye for a
moment, then, drawing from his pock-
ct crumpled letter, spoke with a
slight tremor of voice.
+. "Perhaps you are. a better scholar
than be. II you'll just read that, and
be kind enough to answer it III tell
what to say
The executiouer had already pas sed
the coil of rope to his comrades and
they had drawn it taut. He took the
letter, and, as the party stood around
him ready to run up the cul prit at the
first signal, he opened and read ii
aloud:
B., Ark, Jan. 10, 18--.--My Dear
Son Jam' s: For long, weary months
l have waited for news from you since
your last kind letter to your old moth
or. God bless you, James, and answer
my prayer that this letter may reach
you, thanking you for your ever
thoughtful care Of me in my old age.
l received the money and it has kept
me from sore need. But once more I'd
look into your face and feel that you
were near me would cheer my old
heart more than to possess all the
gold in California. When are you
coming homer You promised me in
the spring You would come back tc
me. May God prosper you and return
my dear boy to my arms before l die
From your loving mother, - -
He began this letter in a strong cleal
voice. but before the closing words his
reading was hardly audible, and tears
stood in the eyes of the rough, strong
men who listened breathless to its con
tents.
The rope had slackened until it drop
ped from the hands of his comrades.
and as the breath of morning rustled
the leaves of the trees above them, and
Gods sunlight shimmered down
through the opening boughs, melting
their hearts to pity, the thoughts Of
each were busy bringing memories Of
their own boyhood days and mother
loving prayers. Silence for few min
utes, then, reverently folding the solled
bit of paper, the reader passed it to its
owner and without word slipped the
moose from his neck. In tones as gen
tie as mother he asked: 'Was you
going home, strangerP" -
Yes !
"Good-bye."
The stranger dared not trust hi
voice in thanks, but drew from his bell
small bag of twenties and offered il
to the leader.
"Hoss.'''
mo, no; take her and-good-bye. .
He mounted the mare and slowly
moved away, while the party watched
him out of sight, then turned and silent
ly retraced their steps to camp. The
court was adjourned.-Boston CONNER
ciul Bulletin.
When Baby was sick, we gave her CAS-
TORIA.
When she was Child, she cried for CAS-
TORIA.
When she became Miss, she chung TO Cas-
TORIA.
When she had Children, she gave them
CASTORIA. -r..-
For s.le.by MILLS + JOHNSON.
The Proper Wish.