Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-11-17
SAVED BY A LETTER
A Thrilling Scene I'm o California
Arrest---A Cool Culprit.

Arrested Cool Culprit.
It occurs to me Just here, however,
to depict truthful representation OF a
California arrest, trial, conviction, ap-
peal and reversal of verdict, or rather
"yerdict set aside"
A man had robbed coach running
between Stockton and Sonora, concealed
the money, all he could carry about his
person, 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 couid
get quick transportation TO San Fran
cisco, intending to start for home by
steamer. He belonged in Arkansas.
In the morning the horse and the rider
were missed. A party started IN pur-
suit and in twenty-four hours had ms
h)rse broken down and him coraled.
lie saw his game was un, and cooiiy
waited the result. The party overhauled
him at early dawn.
Good mornin,' stranger.
Good mornln'."
'sSee anything Of man about your
size straddle of sorrel mare lookln'
heap like the one you ride!'
No. haven't"
That's purity good mare o'yourn. =
eyes, she was worth cool five hun
dred, but she is a little winded just now;
say, mister, III give you five hundred
clean boot for that one o'yourn and stop
the deal.''
He was making good bluff, ana
although he knew that he was recognl-
zed. his offer would well pay for the
broken down horse, and he hoped his
money would save him. lie 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 over yer. You
look a little played out rs well as the
mare. If You'll jest git down and JOIN
our little party it'll stretch your legs,
and mebbe you need stretchin' all over. y
He blanched trifle, but obeyed IN
dogged silence. The pursuers ali dis
mounted, and the spokesman approach
ing, threw over his head moose, and
passirg the other end Of the rope over
limb OF 4 tree that overshadowed them,
called the other members Of the party
around him.
The culprit stood erect; and not Il
m sole quiyered.
''Now pard, is everything all right?
Does it tit your neck according TO
Hoyle?''
"All right
Have We got anything TO say why
this little picnic shouldn't proceed?"
Nothing"
"Have We any word to leave to yer
friends? If yer have, make it short, for
we've got TO break camp inside er ten
minutes"
The stranger raised his eyes from the
ground for the first time and looked his
Judge and executioner
steadily in the eye for moment, then
drawing from his pocket a crumpled
letter, spoke with a slight tremor of
voice:
Perhaps you are a better scholar
than be. If you'll jest read that, and |
be kind enough to answer il I'll tell you |
what TO write.n
The executioner had already passed
the coil of rope TO his comrades, and |
hey had drawn it taut. He took the /
etter, and as the party stood around
him ready to run up the culprit at the
irst signal, he opened it and read aloud:
B-,ARKANsAs, January 10th, IS
Ny dear son James:
For long weary months have waited
or news from you since your last kind
etter to Your old mother. God bless
iou, James, ana answer my prayer that
his letter may reach you, thanking you
or your watchful care of me in my old
ige. l received the money and it has
lept me from sore need. But once /
more TO look into your face and feel that
Tou were near me, would cheer my old
leart more than to possess all the gold
n California. When are you coming
lome? You promised me that in the
pring you would come back to me.
Nay God prosper you and return my
lear boy TO my arms before die.
From your loving mother.
He began the letter in strong, clear
7oice, but before the closing words his
-eading was hardly audible, and tears
stood in the eyes of the rough strong
men who listened breathleSs 10 its con-
.ents. The rope had slackened until it
irOpped from the hands of his comrades,
md as the breath of morning rustled
.he leaves of the trees above them, and
Gods sunlight shimmered through
down through the opening boughs melt
ing their hearts to pity, the thoughts of
each was busy bringing memories Of
their own boyhood days and mothers
loving prayers. Silence for few min
utes, then reverently folding the soiled
bit of paper, the reader passed it to its
owner and without a word slipped the
moose from his neck. In tones as gentle
as mothers he asked: WAS you going
home stranger"
Yes
Goodbye"
The stranger dared not trust his voice
in thanks, but drew from his belt 4
small bag of twentieS and offered it to
the leader.
"Hoss."
"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
silently retraced their steps TO camp.
The court was adjourned.
A Wary Scotchman.