Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1886-01-29

: 1t unto him. An eye fur an eye an
| tooth fur tooth, an whomsoeveI
: sheds mans blood. by man he't
orter be most beautifully swung up
, Thar amt much law in these noun
tains, but we've got the Scriptur'
a-backin' us, an think we'd orter
to go accordin' to the Bible teachin's.
What do you think O. the matter,
Jack?"
The boy looked up at me with
those large, blue, pleading eyes, and
in spite of the fact that his hands
were stained with the lifeblood of
another, my whole heartwas out to
him.
Boys" 1 said, 81 don't believe
that boy is guilty of wlllful murder.
That handsome face is not the face
of one who would scheme to take the
life of another. Have you question
ed him any?"
mo; he hasn't opened his mouth
since we run I'm down.
"Then 1 say, give him a chance to
talk. Cut those throngs and let him
get up to his feet and tell his story,
and not lie there like hog awaiting
the butchers knife. If he is guilty
he can never escape you, and 1t is
brutal to tie a boy like that down
| like a wild beast. Shall / let him
up?''
There were no opposing voice,
and, drawing my hunting knife from
my belt, 1 bent over him and cut the
thongs and assisted him to his feet.
Till my dying day never will for
get the look of gratitude which he
gave me, or the low trembling
'tThank you'' which reached my ears
from his pale lips
"Now, my boy" said, "speak
right out and tell us your story.
Don't be afraid, but speak up like
man. If you are guilty your talk
can make your case no worse, and If
you are innocent 1 can assure you
that right in this band of rough men
you will fihd warm and true friends,
who will protect you with their very
lives. Did you kill Dandy Frank ?"
Eyes, sir; 1 did, and," raising his
eyes to heaven, while an almost un-
earthly expression came over his
handsome face. 81 thank the good |
Lord from above from the very bot
tom of my heart for giving me the
opportunity
His clear girlish voice thrilled ev-
cry breast, and his brave, fearless
attitude, as bic stood with his face
upturned to heaven, awoke within
us feelings of undisgulsed admra-
ton. A more tragic or striking pic
ture was never before presented to
the eye of man. There was silence
of a few moments as we gazed in
wonder upon his small defiant form,
and then / asked:
''And why did you shoot him!"
"Becanse he was a villlan-the
accursed destroyer of my
once happy family. Men, Will tell
you the story, but 1 have no hope
that it will deter you from carrying
put your avowed intention of taking
my life. After hearing me beg of
you to hang me at once and not pro-
ong my torture by taking me back to
Chloride. 1 have accomplished the
aim of my life and almost long to be
1t rest in my grave
"About ten years ago, when was
child of but s years of age, my dear
father and mother were living in a
humble home in an Eastern state. I
vas their only child, and upon me
hey lavished all the love of which
they were capable. My father was
in small business which
amply supported his family, but re-
verses came, and in the pressure of
hard times, and through father in
1orsing note for supposed friend,
We lost everything. At that time the
most startling stories of the great
wealth of gold and SILVER lying buri-
I'd in these mountains reached our
ears, and one morning father kissed
rs goed-by, and almost before we
could realize the fact he had gone
westward to retrieve his lost for
tunes.
81 had cousin, a handsome, good
natured fellow, whom / learned to
love as a brother. My mother was
4 young and rarely beautiful woman,
and after fathers departure my
cousin became daily visitor at our {
louse. In my youthful innocence 1
thought nothing of this, and things
seemed TO run along smoothly for a
year. We had frequent letters from
father, in which he said he was work.
ing in mine for good wages and
hoped soon to be able to send for us.
He sent us money sufficient to live
on, and his letters, breathed spir-
it of the strongest affection, which
made us very happy"
zone day the body of mother was
found drowned in stream near our
house and upon the bank was q
package addressed to me, with writ
ten instructions upon the enveiop
that it was not to be opened until /