The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1895-03-02
SAVED BY A BADGE.
a STORY THAT WILL INTEREST ALA
COLLEGE MEN.

The sixticth annual dinner Of Gam |
ma Beta was certainly great success
At the long table sAt $50 RuestR Of All |
ages and from all parts OF the land !
The feast was ended when the captain
arose from his place near the head OF
the board Straight of figure and alert I
OF eye, he bore his 60 years lightly.
"BoyA" says the captain, Il haven't
been TO N Gamma Beta dinner for 40
years. The last time went was boy
in college. As look around me / nm
glad am mot the oldest alumnus here.
for feel as young as amy freshman
But / came here tonight to tell you
story, and il you have patience 20 hear
me / may ms well begin Remember.
we old ones are garrulous nc times and
stop me when You have had enough
His audience was all attention, and
the captain lighted fresh cigar. blew
out n puff Of smoke and began
al was the first northern man 20
plant cotton in Arkansas after the war
The state had declared for the Union
early in 1864. but there was plenty OF
lawless scccssionism about, and a north
erner's life and property were none too
SAFE. bEADAG Il n1A bINA A11B @N @@-
planting / got q notice from some OF my
secessionist friends that must stop OPP
| erations or leave the district IL 4 had
any regard for my hfe-in short. they
gave me TO understand that IL they
caught me they would string ME mp to
the nearest tree ns sure rs my name wns
| Jim Roberts Now, / didn't intend TO
stop planting. and l didn't intend TO be
| banged, so went ahead and told them
they could hang me-f they could catch
/ me.
About n month after that was hid
| ing across country one afternoon 10 get
| little business done in the nearest
| town AS | entered n lonely piece of
road a dozen men jumped out Of the
woods, pointed their guns at my head
and ordered me 90 halt and dismonnt
saw l could do nothing but surrender
at discretion, so came down from my
horse and was marched of in silence
In few minutes we turned into n lane
that led deeper into the woods and kept
on until we came 10 a little clearing
One Of INV friends brought out n rope.
slung one end OF il over the limb Of n
convenient tree and had the other emo
slipknotted around nv neck in n 5iffy.
: Probably none of you has ever felt q
; hangman's rope around his neck. NO you
can't appreciate the state Of my feelings
at that time I'll tell you. felt pretty
serious and thought my lease Of life had
run out for certain But man clinRs
TO life at such times, and all at once
had a happy thought / en-smbered
that had a package Of excellent cigars
J IN my pocket. and / drew il out
Gentlemen, / said. with as much
GOODNESS rs / could muster. Il know
} that / have but a few minutes more &
live. Iwant 10 ask one favor. Give ms
time to smoke out a cigar before yor
swing me into eternity. Will you loir
. me? You will find them most excel
lent
my captors grimly assented. and W.
lighted our weeds together. No ON
said a word Well. boys, / made tina
cigar bold out. you may depend. But )
: would burn Littleiby little the ash be
: gan TO get longer and drop off unit
there was just so much left" " And tn
captain held mp his smoking stump
q measuring its small remainder critical
ly with his finger
Well. thought 70 myself. her
6 goes for a few more puffs anyway.
q and was Just getting the very last O
them when we heard a horse comin
e through the trees. A fine looking felloN
d rode mp. who seemed to be n sort q
q commander Of the company. Hello
boysv he called out. 'who've you &c
e here?' We've got Roberts, and we r
It going 10 hang him, said they. A
right, said the officer and came over Q
have a look nc me-
II Now. i had ON my watch chain thi
Z. little badge here, and the captai
touched a jeweled monogram Of Rol
that hung 10 his breast. II have alway
d worn it there and expect to as long ms
Ie live My coat was open, and as the Cor
federate came up his eye caught IN
'0 badge Well sirE, he turned all sorts
n colors. and leaning close 60 my el
o. whispered the name of our frafernit.
at the same time grasping my hand wit
~ the good old Gamma grip. given wit
is the strength Of giant. Then he turne
~ 10 his men. Boys. said he. this ms
Is my friend. You must let him 60
he And in am instant he took the rope fro
l.. my neck, led mp my horse. pulled pa
of pistols from his pocket and hRndG
l. one 20 me. Now, brother, said he, a
fend yourself and get away as best yC
: canr lost no time in following his ~
1e vice and made my escape And here
A. am today. and that In all "
| There was q storm Of applause whr
the captain had finished and had talk
r his seat
ca But. captain. cried more than on
:, You'll have 20 finish the story. WI
was the man that goe you free. and
ne you ever see him ARAin?''
.. The captain arose again, Emilin
who was he? Well. he belonged co O
re of our southern chapters And did
ever see him AgAin7 Yes, did. "
The captain laid his hand on &