Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-11-27
SAVED BY A BADGE.
. STORY THAT WILL INTEREST ALL
COLLEGE MEN.

There Was Rope Round enc Gamma
Beta nTan's Neck, and Ne Was About 20
Bo Strung Up when His College society
Emblem was Seen by One who Knew It.
Tho sixtioth annual dinner Of Gam
ma Beta was certainly a groat SUCCESS
at tho long table sat 80 guests, Of all
ages and from all parts Of the land
Tho feast was ended when tho captain
arose from his place near tho head of
tho board. Straight Of figure and alert
OF eye. he boro has 60 years lightly.
Boys. says the captain, II haven't
been to a Gamma Beta dinner for 40
years. Tho last time,I went was boy
IN college. AS look around ne ana
glad am nos tho Oldest alumnus here,
for feel as young as any freshman.
But I came here tonight to tell you
story, and II you have patience to hear
mo may as we'll begin. Remember,
wo old ones arc gnrrulous at times and
stop me when you have had en0ugh.
His audience was all attention, and
the captain lighted a fresh cigar, blew
out a puff Of smoke and began.
81 was the first northern man to
plant cotton in Arkansas after the war;
The state had declared for the Union
early in 1864, but there was plenty Of
lawless secessionism about, and north
erner's life and property were none too
safe. Before ! had been long at my
planting / got q notice from some Of my
secessionist friends that I must stop op-
erations or leave the district If / had
any regard for my life-in short they
gave me to understand that II they
caught me they would string mo up to
the nearest tree as sure as my naine was
Jim Roberts. Now, I didn't intend to
stop planting, and didn't intend to DO
hanged, 60 / went ahead and told them
they could hang me-if they could catch
me.
About a month after that was rid
ing across country one afternoon to get
a little business done in the nearest
town As / entered a lonely piece Of
road a dozen men jumped out of tho
woods, pointed their guns, at my head
and ordered me to halt aud dismount
saw could do nothing but surrender
at discretion, so / came down from my
horse and was marched off IN silence.
In few minutes we turned into lano
that led deeper into the woods aud kept
on until we came to a little clearing
One of my friends brought out a rope.
slung one end Of It over tho limb Of a
convenient tree and had the other end
sliplmotted around my neck in q iiffy.
Probably none Of you has ever felt q
hangman's ropc around his neck, so you
can't appreciate the state Of my feelings
at that time. I'll tell you, I felt pretty
serious and thought my lease Of life had
run oct for certain. But q man clings
to life at such times, and all at once
had a happy thought l remembered
that had a package Of excellent cigars
in my pocket, and / drew it out
Gentlemen, said, with as much
GOODNESS rs l could muster. Z know
that have but few minutes moro ia
live Iwant to ask one favor, Give me
time to smoke ont a cigar before You
swing me into eternity. VIII you join
me? You will find them moat excel
lent.
''My captors grimly assonted. and We
lighted our weeds together. No one
said a word Well. boys, / made that
cigar hold out, you may depend But il
would burn. Little by little the ash be-
gan to get longer and drop or until
there was just go much Loft. And the
captain held up lis smoking stump,
measuring its small remainder critical
" with his finger,
. Well, thought I 70 myself, here
goes for q few moro pulls anyway.
and was just getting the very last Of
them when we heard horse coming
through the trees. A line looking fellow
rode up, who seemed to be q sort q
commander Of tho company. Hello
boysl' he called out, 'who'ye you goi
here?' 'Wc've got Roberts, and we n
going to hang him, said they. al
right, said the officer aud came over &
have q look at me
Now, had on my watch chain thil
little badge here, and the captain
touched a ieweled monogram Of goll
that hung to his breast j have alwayl
worn it thoro and expect 70 as long as
live My coat was opon, and as tho Con
+ fedorato came up his eye caught thl
badge Well, sirs, he turned al sorts o
colors, and leaning close to my eal
whispered The nnmo of cur fraternity
at .hoEanc time graaping my hand wit.
I tho good old CANINE grip. given wit
the strength Of a giant Then be turnel
to his men. Boys. said he this ma.
is my friend You must let him 20.
And ia an instant he took the rope fron
my neck, led up my horse. pulled q pai
Of pistols from his pocket and handei
ono 10 me Now. brother, said be, de
fond yourself end get away as best 20
cant / lost no time in following his ad
vice and mado my escape. And here
am today, and that is all
There was q etorla Of applause who'
the captain had finished and had talxel
his seat
But. captain. cried more than one
'youll have 10 finish the story. VIII
was the man that got you free, and di'
you ever SEQ him aggiaY
Tho captain arose again. smiling
who was be? VOL. hoholonged to on
Of our southern choptors. And did
ever see him againi Yea / did.
The captain laid his hand on IN
shoulder oi an oldorly man in The saa
next 10 biin. Yes. can SEQ him in.
minute Nod. ten the boys your side Q
the btory r'-New York Tribune