The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-16

He had risen 10 his feet and come
close to me in the earnestness Of his
entreaty. / arose also. We looked
into each others eyes in silence. It
seemed to me that he was the greatest
man / ever knew
Wont you do it?' he asked. plead
ingly.
Let me think" said.
I am slow at conclusions. I turned
away from him and walked to the win
dow. AS I looked out into the dark
ness I tried TO grasp the situation.
The decision / came 20 was this:
Here is a man who has neryed him
self to do a heroic action; it may hang
him or imprison him for life; but he
will be glad over It throughout etern-
ity. and when he meets me in heaven
he viii thank me. / determined to ac-
cept his proposition II / had not be-
lleved in heaven ! would not have done
So I turned to him and said:
James Ratcliffe. III do it,"
He grasped my hand with a grip that
made II ache for two days, and said,
God bless youl" Then he sat down
in his chair and wept like little child.
The next day I went to the county
seat and consulted the officials. Com
munication was had with the author
titles where the crime was committed,
and we found out tina. the reward
money would certainly be paid upon
the arrest OF the murderer To cut
matters short, ] will say that in three
months James Ratcliffe was behind the
bars Of the Nebraska State peniten-
tiary, under a sentence Of life impris-
Onment. and Mrs. Emmons received
check for one thousand dollars from
an unknown person.
It was not more than a day after
she had received the money however,
that she called at my house. She was
not what you would term a handsome
woman. but she had a very sweet and
gentle face.
Are you the preacher who received
the reward for the arrest Of James
Ratcliffe?" she asked answered in
the Affirmative
We'll / am Mrs. Emmons." she said.
Il know who the man you arrested is.
He is James Thompson. a new board
er told me 50, and showed me his pic
ture Ia the newspaper. have come
to tell you, sir, that you are mistaken.
You are all wrong. That man is no
criminal He Is a good man. Why
did you do what you did?'
Il did It because he laid it upon me
to do, Mrs. Emmons. or his own free
will he chose the higher path OF self
sacrifice He never Intended that you
should know
She looked at me haughtily a mo-
ment "And you never intended to tell
mel" she said Here, here take the
money-it is blood money. The curse
Of God Is on st." She sat down and
rocked and sObbed.
did you ike Mr.. Thompson. or Rat
cliffe?' / asked.
Like? loved him. love him yet
always will love him. would rather
be with him In his cell today than to
have the finest house In this town. He
was the best man / ever knew. Ny
children just wOrshiped him. I knew
twas him all the time that was send
ing me his wages. He was 50 simple,
he thought / didn't But women see
things, sir; they don't have 20 be told.
And to think that he done this for
mew She covered her face with her
hands and sobbed bitterly. Il know
he Is a good man." she said In a mo-
ment He is gentle with creatures;
even the cat and the bird liked him.
He liked to fix around flowers He was
so quiet and tender in all his ways
Oh, no, no. sir; a man like that cannot
have the heart of a murderer
She dried her eyes quickly and got
up. Il do not want the money. sir;
keep It, keep IT," She drew her shawl
about her thin shoulders and went out.
When / had finished telling James
Ratcllfe's story to Governor Crounce.
in his private office at the capital OF
Nebraska, he was silent a moment
Then he said, rs this man sentenced
for life2"
Yes" / answered.
Then may the Lord have mercy on
the rest OF u.s. Meet me az ten o'clock
Tuesday morning at the State peniten-
tiary."
/ was there punctually az the hour,
and shortly afterwards the governors
carriage appeared We went together
into the prison Office. James Ratclife
was called. He was very glad to see
me, and thanked me again for what
had done. While the warden was
talking to the governor, he took me
to one side and whispered:
How Is she?"
Whats that be whispered 70 you,
Mr.. Mercer?" the gruG old governor
asked, looking suddenly around.
Z told him. Then nc stood up be-
fore the prisoner and said
James Ratclifie here IS your par
don. You are a free man. Go back
with Mr.. Mercer and" be added, smil-
a. -.