The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-05-25

Z looked, from distance, like a letter,
I dropped upon his knees and pressed it
again and again TO his lips with i'm
I FASHIONED fervor. Aiterward he re-
I placed 1t in his bosom, aud, bowling his
head, spent the remainder Of his last
hour seemingly in silent PRAYER.
When the time had finally expired. and
We drew near the kneeling culprit to
finish our dread work, be arose TO meet
Us with an air so calm and gentle, so
utterly changed, that it astounded US,
for We had expected 10 meet with tears
and supplications and struggles.
He offered not the slightest resistance
when we bound his hands securely be
hind him, and, lifting him upon his
horse, drove with him down TO the creek
bottom, where a scraggy cottonwood had
already been selected TO serve as a gal
lows.
Bailey was driven under the tree; the
moose Of a lariat was quickly placed
about his neck. and the other end thrown
across an overhanging limb, and made
fast 10 the trunk. Old Lape had his
"quintn raised in readiness TO bring it
down across the flank Of the doomed
mans pony At the word Of command; all
was ready for the final act, when Bailey
raised his head and spoke
Calling Tom Anderson 10 his side, he
said "Tcm viii you do a favor for a
dying mar
''What is it.n was the gruh reply.
i want you 10 promise to see that my
( family gets what little property l leave.
T They are poor, and will need it badly,
( Tom; 50, please promise. know you'll
do il If you say you viii"
We'll, Bailey. I'll do it, il that's all
{ you want. You may rest easy on that
score; promise, answered Tom, in
I sofienei tone.
Thank you, Tom; and now, Just one
thing more. please" continued the
I prisoner eagerly, reach into my bosom
and get the picture that's there, and let
me have another look al my wife and
children before die
We all Of US sat grouped about on our
F ponies uader the cottonwood during this
scene, and. as Tom Anderson complied
with Bailey's request, and taking pic
ture from the prisoners bosom held it
before him so that he could look at it,
the surrounding group Of rough COW
boys became utterly absorbed in the
scene.
Not q whisper was uttered, and the
noise Of the FESTIVE ponies as they
champed their bits or stamped impa-
iienfly upon the greensward, alone broke
the solemn stiffness.
WIKI 3 look Of unspeakable tender
ness. Bailey glued his eyes upon the
Photograph and held them there for
fully minute.
Then his head dropped suddenly upon
his breast, and, with a groan. he cried
cut in despairing accents:
20 boys boys its hard TO die and
leave them all alone; and 10 die in such
way. too II viii kill poor Mary, if
she's not dead already; know it will. -
He no longer looks at the picture, but
Tom Anderson himself was gazing at it
instead. Long and earnestly he looked
a. II, bit did not speak word Then
he handel IT TO old man Lape, and it
passed from hand 70 hand until every
ma in the party had taken long look
n II.
A sweet, gentle Woman's face looked
smiiingiy forth from the midst Of the
card. while over each OF her shoulders
peeped a chubby face tilled with childish
glee and innocence. ON the border OF
the card was written, IT. a clear, delicate
hand. Come home socu, papa; we're
50 lonely without YOU
Nhea tho picture had gone the
rounds. snd Tom Anderson returned it
reYeleutly 70 Bailey's bosom, the cnlprit
raised his head and aid
III WIS for their sake, boys, drove
the cattle OF in such a hurry / got
word yestarilay that my wife was dying,
and took the first steers | cou d find in
order 70 get the money to see her It
vas wrong. suppose, but | would have
F paid you for every head ! took when ]
came back.
Like 4 fash Tom Anderson's knife
MAS cut II is sheath. A quick stroke,
and the rope about the prisoners neck
nas seTe ed Instantly Bailey's pony
bore him aside, and in his place, facing
the crowd. on his mustang sat Tom,
with uplified hand and his eyes fairly
blazing with fierce excitement, while we
were too much amazed 10 either speak or
move
That nan speaks the truth" he
.hoated ''He never intended 10 steal
then cattle Bot whether be did or not.
is ail the same to me. the man that LAYS
frEer on him must do Il over nv dead
iody. II I had a wife ike that lady in
the picfuI' an she VAS sick, I'd steal
every critfer on the range 10 git 10 her;
an the mau'sa dog that wouldn't. If
any man here thinks different I'm ready
% fight II cut with him right here and
BON"
For q moment there vas no response,
thea Old man Lape spoke up.
well, Tom, said he, I'VE needn't
AK 70 mighty fierce. a. no ones goin 10
fslt Te, I guess. Not that we're skeered
II ye, Ton You mustn't fiatter your
self By ihinkin' that a all. but we all feel
about the same as you DO in the matter.
I essiEise DO. and 10 show Bailey !hat
J believe he's innocent, hereby make
him & present n them three steers o
riine fhaf's IN bis bunch.
--halir for you. old man, them's my
sentiments, and III chin in the steers
fhzt bei0ng 70 me, to0m shouted Bill
smith
sane here yelled Dutch Frank.
rubbing tzo big tears OF his cheeks with
hls grimF fsf
I'm With sou, boys shouted another
4Nr. TOO sid smother. and a minute
later every one q the .'strays' that had
clused ia the trouble belonged as much
20 Bailey a. II the flank Of each Of them
borf his brand and no other.
Tie reFuision Of feeling was simply
treEsendons The very men who
sen miultes before had been ruthlessly
intent uron hanging Bailey now crowded
ar1lnd BIN, begging forgiveness. aud
wing nsh one another as 10 which
could DO the most for him
such q Us az 0E8ed none Of the
-'sirays' actually felt mean. and Jealous
Of those Eho did until Tom Anderson
suggested way 10 which we too. might
give reut - cur generous impulses
''li0Fs said b.. there's none o. my
critters 70 Iailey's bunch. but next spring
Inl q soia' % brand twenty calves for
fhai itflc giil IN the pictur, and its my
intention 10 take care II them and their
inersa-e f1r Der until she's growed up -
vow you're shoutis' Tom. III do
ihe same. chimed 10 another.