Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-08-31
NOT MURDER.

nFeu ny tnc SCehC vi oloou dhu al i0e
midst fellow being, bound hands and
feet, with the moose Of the lynchmen
around his neck. ! came suddenly up.
on such a scene in one Of the settle
ments on the Rio Grande, whittier had
lourneyed from England to find broth
er whom | had not seen for many
years.
As | reined up my horse near the
crowd and glanced over the exciting
spectacle, an involuntary cry left my
lips as | recognized IN the victim him
whom | had come so far to see.
lie 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 hesitation on
the part of the leaders.
quickly learned that Il stranger in
those parts had been killed that morn
ing near small body Of wat er 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 80 hard
ened as to condemn his own brother ?
shuddered as realized Almont's 8
peril and in my own heart Judged him
innocent OF any crime.
'lIe IS my brother, I cried.
'IIalk ! shouted one Of the onloOkers,
the brother of the murdered man is
here for justice. Up with him, boys.
Hold commanded, rising in my
stirrnps as l spoke; blood calls for
blood Let NE haye hold OF that rope.
The mistake in my identity had sns-
gestcd way in which ! might enable
my brother to escape, and resolved to
attempt it at whatever risk. Fortu-
na,ely there was little family resem-
blance between us.
Urging my horse forward the crowd
parted allowing ME to reach his side,
when I dlsmounted, ostensibly to exam
Inc tn" slipping moose.
1t will do, said |, loud enough to Gt
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 pris-
oners bonds so that they held only by
a thread and arranged the moose SO that
It could be thrown off as soon rs his
arms We're free,
Ikncw few horses could match mine
in speed, and once he had cleared the
throng, my brother would be compara-
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 a whTl"ind,
and in a few moments WAS beyond pur-
suit.
OF course there was loud reyiling
over his escape. but appeared so anx'
ious for his recapture that no blame was
attached to me. To carry out the de
ception, had the body Of the stranger
carefully buried and renamed IL the
place until | deemed it safe to dcpttlt
1t was nearly three months before
met my brother in London, whittier he
had fled, and then he thanked me with
tears IN his eyes for my daring assistance
in his escape from the lynchers. 10
my surprise, however, he evaded the
subject of the murder, saying SIMPLY
that no crime Lad been committed. !
did not feel like pressing tue matter, so
the affair was not mentioned again
though 1t has haunted my mind ever
since. Last week my brother died with
no kindred near him, and today's
post has brought me manuscript con-
tanning a startling revelation.
In iustlce to my brothers. name, aa
we'll as to my own satisfaction, | am
prompted to give to the world the stran
pest confessions ever made. The follow
ing ia his account as be wrote it for me.
When this is read, l shall haye
passed beyond the tribunal of man, 80
| wish to impress upon you that am
about to record faithfully an experience
which ] sincerely hope will tall to the
lot of no other person.
L was alone IN my room late ONE
dark, stormy night, when heard arap
on the door, which / tancicd at first was
but the wind shaking it on its hinges.
But it was repeated louder than before.
I babe 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