The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-20
NOT MURDER.

pack OF wolves whose frenzy has been
fred by the scent of blood and in its
midst u fellow being, bound hands and
feet. with the moose of the lynchmen
around his neck. l came suddenly upon
such scene in one of the settlements on
the Rio Grande. whittier had journeyed
from England to find q brother whom l
had not seen for many years.
AS l refined up my horse near the crowd
and glanced over the exciting spectacle
an involuntary cry left my lips as 1 rec
ogniZed in the victim him whom had
come so far to see.
He saw and knew me instantly, and
though no word came from him his pale,
mute lips appealed to my heart for help.
My appearance caused q hesitation on
the part Of the leaders.
quickly learned that stranger in
those parts had been killed that morn
ing near a small body of water a short
distance from the settlement and that
my brother had been caught in the very
act of striking the deathblow. Not one
of the spectators seemed to have any
doubt of his guilt, but who is so hard
ened as to condemn his own brother?
l shuddered as I realized Almont's
j
innocent Of any crime.
'He is my brother" cried.
''Hark" shouted one of the onlool1ers,
1.-The brother of the murdered man is here
for justice. Up with him. boys!"
Hold" commanded, rising in my
etirrups as Ispolle: blood calls for blood.
Let me have hold of that rope"
The mistake in my identity had sug-
gested u way in which l might enable
my brother to escape, and resolved to
attempt it at whatever risk. Fortunate
ly there was little family resemblance be-
tween us.
Urging my horse forward, tho crowd
parted, allowing me to reach his side,
when dismounted, ostensibly to exam
inc the slipping moose.
1T will do" said loud enough to be
heard by all. Now help me to lift him
on the back of my horse. We want to do
this job in some shape"
Willing ones sprang to my assistance,
but in the brief interval cut the prison
er's bonds so that they held only by a
thread and arranged the moose so that
it could be thrown off as soon as his
arms were free.
knew few horses could match mine
in speed. and once he had cleared the
throng my brother would be compare
lively safe.
he understood my Intentions, and the
moment we lifted him upon the horse he
wrcnched his arm free. threw off the
moose. dropped into the saddle, and Civ
ing the animal smart blow dashed
through the crowd like whirlwind. and
~,
OF coulse there was loud reviling over
his escape, but appeared so anxious for
his recapture that no blame was attached
to me. To carry out the deception had
the body of the stranger carefully buried
and remained i'll the place until deemed
1t safe to depart.
1t was nearly three months before /
met my brother i'll London, whittier he
had fled, and then he thanked me with
tears i'll his eyes for my daring assistance
in his escape from the lynchers. To my
surprise, however, he evaded the subject
of the murder, saying simply that no
crimc had been committed. l did not
feel like pressing the matter, so the af-
fair was not mentioned again, though it
has haunted my mind ever since. Last
week my brother died with no kindred
near him, and today's post has brought
me manuscript containing u startling
revelation.
In justice to my brothers name, as well
as my own satisfaction. am prompted to
give to the world the strangest confess
sions ever made. The following is his
account as he wrote it for me:
"When this is read, / shall have passed
beyond the tribunal of man, so l wish to
impress upon you that am about to re-
cord faithfully an experience which I
sincerely hope will fall to the lot of no
other person.
IL was alone in my room late one dark.
stormy night when l heard IL rap on the
door, which fancied at first was but
the wind shaking it on its hinges But
it was repeated louder than before. |
bade the applicant, whoever he might be-
to come in, without looking up from the
book which held my attention.
"a moment later the door was opened.
and with the gust of wind which sent
every light object in the room flying top
sy turvy man entered the apartment
with quick, catlike steps.
Pardon Inc for tho unreasonable
hour at which call, he said in clear.
crisp tone, but suppose doctors get
used to all sorts Of calls.
Certainly l replied, fear some
what impatiently, as he had interrupted
me at time when did not like to be
disturbed. What can do for your
ooh, do not come for professional
assistance he fastened to say, evidently
reading my thoughts. Mine is strictly
a business call. Are you at liberty for
.