St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-11
JUSTICE ON THE TRAIL.
Romance OF a Deserted Town :
Strange Experience in New
Mexican Wilds.
\ Traveller Found Himself Face
to Face With the Means
OF Revenge.

We made long overland trip last fall
in New Mexico. After leaving SocOrrO
we went southwest through gaps in the
Mogollon mountains. One morning
solitary horse nan added himself to our
party and we accepted his company OH
trust, is the common fashion in the
West. His explanation that he had an
important errand in this country, also
new to him, was received by US without
comment. So we shared our bacon ana
coffee and journeyed together. says the
Philadelphia Times.
One day, after travelling through a
rain washed canyon, ascending some
rough hills and circling a mountain, we
passed prospect holes, the machinery
for mining scattered around as when
last thrown by careless hands, large
stamp mill empty and silent, and flne
hotel without a guest, and rode INTO
streets where numerous houses came
into view. Doors were wrenched away,
and through broken windows torn cur
tains tapped dismally, while from the
front of great empty buildings the
signs. '''Livery Stable" Restaurant,
Groceries" looked down into the de-
serted streets. The rattle of our wagons
upon the lonely roads brought DO curl
Gus face to window or door; not even
dog appeared to bark at US.
The telegraph poles extended to the
railroad town thirty miles away, but the
wires had been removed. There was
no need of communication with the
active world without, for on hillside
near by the sole inhabitants lay asleep,
unconcerned whether gold mines were
discovered or abandoned. In dismal,
vacant rooms pictures hung upon the
lonely walls, stoves and tables were
left and chairs stood about as if await
ing the return OF the absent. There
were articles Of more value, safe and
billiard tables, the cues and balls thrown
down as when the last game was played.
AS In a dream we saw the eager,
hopeful faces in the narrow, ugly
streets, in the forSaken, deSolate homes;
here where they worked and planned
and boasted in the old, familiar
way of 'our town." its golden re-
sources, its glorious prospects. In
a sheltered place child had made a
rude playhouse. On the floor lay choice
bits Of broken crockery, and just within
the opening, thrown across a box, tiny
ragged sunbonnet. We seem to hear
the little form within and hear the hur-
rying of childish feet when news of the |
flooding of the mine had called her to
join in the common disaster, the hasty
packing, the general departure to other
places. How many who came rich Ill
anticipation had left poor and disap-
pointed! Since the disuse of the mine
there is little passing on these rough
mountain roads, which explains why SO
much was left duSt-covered, undis-
turbed.
We stayed here for the night, and,
after an early supper, explored the1I
camp. The children unearthed amldst9f
the litter in photographers room neg-9I
atiVes of the place and what had OneeI
been its people; little girl sitting |
with her doll under big cactus; LADY,
leaning against some rocks, hunter,
rifle in hand and dead deer at his feet.li
boy on his burro, and many others. 1
taken amidst the strange surroundings
in which people delight to have them;
selves pictured, while different viewstof i
the town, its streets crowded with peO7J|
pie, showed what the town had been 4
when hundreds made their home here d
The stranger who had made himself 81
our companion joined us in looking 7at 4
the negatives and suddenly snatched
one from my hand. MY wife, he 4
cried excitedly. 1t was the fair, baby
ish face of a young woman, her small
round head covered with short curls.'
AS he looked he spoke to himself;
"What court could do me justice?" He
repeated this several times, and mis-
mind seemed TO dwell on wrongs of
which we could only guess, while his
face expressed mingled anger and pain.
In the morning we started out, and
met toward noon a mountalneer re-
turning TO his home in the hills beyond
the deserted mining camp. Our COM
panion asked him question, and only
the reply was audible to us. Eyes. L
know him." the yoluble mOuntaineer
was saying; "he's just over that bill
now looking for some cattle. He's the
wealthiest man in this country, and
used to live at that camp you passed
before the mine was flooded with water;
but when his wife died at that place he
buried her without even board to mark
her grave. He was always mean to her,
and some hinted around that she wasn't
really his wife, but had run away from
her own husband. She always seemed
like an innocent. good little woman.
though" The mountaineer, thanking
us for the tobacco we gave him, passed
toward the camp we had left.
Our companion looked carefully at
his revolver, and remarking, There's
some game back here; do not wait for
me-" rode over the hill out of sight.
Dlu We SutSS Ills CIldiiu! OIu COu-
science ever reprove us that we did not
urge him to wait for the slow. uncertain
decision of earthly courts or the prom
sed falling of the sword of heavens
vengeance? Upon that lonely road we
waited until the hills reverberated with
the shots. Perhaps another hand had
been surer than his and he could never
come back. In silence still we waited,
Unframed he soon appeared behind
not joining us. as if he feared his com
pany might not now be acceptable.
Ibid you get your game?' called one
of the men.
81 got it," he answered briefly.
"Why didn't you bring it with you?"
questioned one of the children, inno-
Gently. wasn't it good to eat?"
Not that kind of game, baby" he
answered gently. ITS food for the
coyotes and buZzards."
Under the heading Strange Ways Of
Justice have just read newspaper
account of his trial, confession and ac