Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-08-23

of cactus and sage, relieved only by
the ribbon of green verdure to
which a little spring that had its
source by our shelter had given life.
In the distance was the dusty haze
from the eucircled herd. He bad
produced q worn package of old
love letters, written in Spanish, for
my inspection, of which | could
understand about one word in every
five, and he explained tho remaiude,
of the soft.sounding words in the
tender sentiments of sunny cline.
1t was the old story of a mans
trust and woman's dGplicity,
crushed spirit and grstifed vanity.
Then somehow, seemingly as
though having lost all interest in
this world he olung to a hope of the
next, he turned the conversation to
religion. With this subject as with
most others he was quite at home.
Familiar with the writings Of Luther.
Melonethon, Erasmus, Voltairc
Swedenborg, Calvin, Wesley, Paine
Clarke, and all the recent theologi-
ans of note, but having 20 settled
convictions of his own it ended in
confusion---a gloomy doub of every
thing. 1t seemed very strange to
meet an example of this kiad in a
"cow camp where from general
appearances religion would seeming
ly be the last ingredient in the gem
eIal recklessness, | thought, aud
told him, he had come TO very
poor school to learn theology when
he had obtained no satisfaction from
his varied readings, but what little
| knowledge | had at command he
was welcome to.
Since there were so many sects,
aud each had its origin more or less
from a human source, or since each
was more or less parody on the
teachings of Christ, the divine
founder Of all that was true, he had
better dIop them all out Of ms mind,
and interpret for himself Outside
of the original doctrine laid down
by the Savior, all was the inquirlng
or offspring of finite mind, and
that one mans conceptions were az
good AS anpther's as to forming
opinions on the subject OF ,he here
after. That inasmuch as be had
followed the moral rule, bv $50 much
had he merited the approval Of God;
and where 10y passion a. nadyer
ence he had violated the 10y 80
much had he lowered his spiritual
state and capabiIity of enjoying
spiritual pleasures. Bct that an
honest repentance went - wash away
the stain and TO elevate the soul TO
its original standard before il knew
of SIN. Aud that his future happi
ness depended on his Journey here.
That H1Dght and not act2as alone
had the greatest tendency TO lower
or elevate in the eye CT Cod; aud
that many a wil(ui murderer would
be judged more leniently a. tho
judgment thrn one who, though
guilty of no Onward aot, had SIN
ned IN his heart All his life.
/ do not know what impression
this had--maybe a lamentably bad
one--for it was the las; conversation
he ever held with any. Getting up
he went away, aud fell asleep. |
woke and slw IN the distance the
cowboys coming campWard on the
galIop in "a cloud Of dust. as it was
supper time, Then from an ada
ient cooie heard a shc;, and went
10 see what was killed. 1t was the
cook! lie had shot the side Of his
face on with "a i5 Winchester, aud
| lay moaning with his hanl tightly
clutchod in the mass of CORY flesh
and shattered bones. No efforts
could uuloosen that death grip witt
out tearing away the entire side on
| his face. we watched him till he
died, for he fingered long for one
SO horribly mutilated, bat he was
never conscious Of any Of cs to thu
last. We dag grave for bim ther
and placed him in uncoflined, fol
| timber was scarce IhCy said IL
was good enough foi han But /
/ thought with a saddeued heart Of
the talented spirit that had taken It's
1 flight SO IamentabIy, and how little
they knew Of him whom they buried
like a dog. trust that his spirit
found The peace that it huagered for
here, and that the great Creator of
oh dealt charitabIy with bis failings
and crime, for the good that was ia
him unbalanced all the had.
! Eiersbulgh Moutiua.
DELLER is selling his dress goods