The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-09-25
A WILD WEST EPISODE.
BY MRS. NJ. l.. RAYNE.

There had been a number of
robberies committed in Dalton, a
small Missouri town where | spent
few years of my life, and my hus-
band cautioned me not to leave The
house alone, or to let any strang.
er in during his absence. |, in
turn, instructed the servant, Il ca
pablc alrl who had lived with me
several months, and we were both
careful 10 lock up at night in a Sc
cure manner. Carrie, the girl, car.
ried the key Of "a side door and let
herself in, and out, when she wish.
ed. | did not even know when she
came or went, so thoroughly did |
trust her. and the back part OF the
house was entirely cut off from The
trout. She was always on hand
when needed, and she had entire
charge of the silver and free ac-
cess TO all of our valuables. But
she never took pin from MS, or
in any way betrayed our trust in
ner.
Dalton was wild west town
made up of all nalionalilieS and al
times overrun with desperadoes,
but there had been long interval
of peace when one lovely Sabbath
morning my husband took me out
for IA drive. We were jogging
along quietly ON a pleasant cnun'
Try road, skirted by dense forest,
when there came crashing through
the woods the tramping OF men
and horses. They made a great
lumult before we could see them,
and as they barst into sight we
saw that they mad prisoner, a
young man, whom they dragged
between them.
Horse thief" said my husband,
Il shouldn't wonder if they hang
him"
"Oh, | hope not +; he is so young"
| exclaimed, aud | thought The
man caught my words,f he look
ed up suddenly and flashed on me
q glance Of quick intelligence.
"Why, who is he? Where have
seen him before 2" | asked. My
husband inquired of a man in the
party, and he said The fellow was a
stranger.
"But he is a slick one, and we
caught him red-handed. lie amt
no common rascal, and he has pals
TO help him. Ii they'll let law and
justice take their course we will
get The whole gang"
"But they won't"
Ny husband shook his lead ON
as he said this. The men
were walking along with their
prisoner in that dead quiet OF
speech and manner which is nalur-
al to the vigilanles on their desper-
ate errands.
Elf IT wasn't Sunday" he con-
tinued, "there might be a chance
tor the fellow, but they are just
ripe for such work, aud | fear the
poor wretch will never see day
light again"
Cannot you help him y | ask
ed eagerly. "rhat mans face
looked so familiar. Coul6 we have
seen him,or known him somewhere
in our lives ~
Il never saw him till now, Pm
sure" he answered; "and yet he
does remind me of some one, but
we may have seen him on the
streets. lie is rather beiier look
Ing than The average man OF his
profession"
"Will you try to save himE You
know they will listen TO you"
My husband held prominently po-
sition In State politics, and | knew
he was very popular. Bnt be said
the city officials would protect him
il any could, and we rode home,
talking over other matters.
At supper we referred TO II
again. Carrle was coming IN with
a plate OF hot biscuits aud she
dropped them on the floor, break
ing the cish 10 pieces. She nut
tered an excuse, saying that she
was frightened at hearing of such
things happening in a christian
community, AMI Withdrew from
the room.
II hone she Won't want 10 leave