St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-13
stvED AT THE LAsr MOMENT.
Ehe GetLer Brought Back.DO0r
Dreams, and the Cuiprit Was

Boston Commercial Bulletin.
A man had robbed coach running be-
tween Stockton and Sonora. concealed the
money, all he could carry, abeut his per-
son, sought lodgings not far away, and in
| the night had risen, stolen a horse. and
struck bee line across the country toward
station where he could get quick trans
portatiOn to San Francisco, intending to
start for home by steamer. He belonged
to Arkansas. In the morning the horse
and rider were missed. A party started in
pursuit, and in twenty-four hours had him
corraled. He saw his game was up, and
coOlly waited the result. The party over
hauled him at early dawn.
Good mOrnin'. stranger"
Good mornn'"
"Seen anything of man about your size
straddle of s0rrel mare lookin' a heap like
the one you rde?"
mo. haven't"
THAT'S pretty good mare O. yourn."
Eyes, she was worth cool $500, but she
is little winded now; say, mister. I'll give
you $500 clean boot for that one o. yourn
and stop the deal"
He was making a good bluff, and al
though he knew that he was recognized,
his offer would well pay for the broken
down horse, and he hoped that his money
would save him. He counted without his
host.
That's a 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 it'll stretch
your legs, and mebbe you need stretehln'
all over"
He blanched a trifle, but obeyed in
logged silence. The purSuers all dis
mounted, and the spokesman, approaching
threw over his head moose. and passing
the other end of the rope over limb of
tree that overshadowed trem. called the
other members of the party around him.
The culprit stood erect; not muscle
quivered.
NOW pard, is everything all right? Does
it fit your neck accordin' to Hoyle?"
''All right"
Have We got anything to say why this
little picnic shouldn't proceed?"
'.Nothin'."
Have We got any word to leave to yer
friends? If yer have. make it short, for
we've got ter break camp inside er ten
minutes"
the ground for the first time and looked his
self-appointed judge and executioner stead
ily in the eye for moment. then, drawing
from his pocket crumpled letter, spoke
with a slight tremOr of voice:
'.Perhaps you are better scholar than 1
be. If you'll jest read that. and be kind
enough to answer it FL tell you what to
say"
The executioner had already passed the
coil of rope to his comrades and they had
drawn it taut. He took the letter, and Is
the party stood around him ready to run up
the culprit at the first signal, he opened it
and read aloud:
B., Ark, Jan. 10, 1S-.-My Dear Son
lanes: For long, weary months l have
waited for news from you since your last
kind letter to your old mother. God bless you,
lanes and answer my PRAYER that this letter
may reach you. thanking you for your ever
thoughtful care of me in my old age. l re-
ceived the money and it hiss kept me from
sore need. But once more to look into your
face and feel that you were near me would
cheer nv old heart more than to possess all
the gold in California. When are you coming
home? You promised ME in the spring you
would come back to me-. May God prosper
vou and return my dear boy to my arms be-
fore die. From your loving mother, -
He began the letter in a strong, clear
voice but before the closing words his read
ing was hardly audible, and tears stood in
the ewes of the rough. strong men who lis
tened GREATNESS to its contents. The rope
slackened until it dropped from the hands
of his comrades. and as the breath OF morn
inr r,lstled 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
busv bringing memories of their own boy
bood DAYS and a mothers loving prayers.
Silence for few minutes, then. reverently
folding the soiled bit of paper, the reader
nassed it to it's owner, and, without word.
Skinned the moose from his neck. In tones
n, gentle as a mothers he asked: WAS |
YOU going home, Stranger"
Eyes"
''Good-by."
The stranger dared not trust his voice in
.bonks but drew from his belt small
bau of twenties, and offered it to the
leader.
"HOss."
mo. no: take her. and-good-by."
He mounted the mare and slowly moved
away. while the party watched him out OF
siyhf. then turned and silently retraced
their steps to camp. The court was ad-
journed. !
CONCERNING the Fitness of Things.