The Atlanta constitution. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, February 22, 1887, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextVOL. XVIII. ATLANTA. GA-. TUESDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 22, 1887 PRICE FIYE CENTS HANDSOME PRESENTS FOR ALL We all attention to our plan for distributing • box fall of presents to our friend*described on the last column of page six of this week’s issue. We want every subscriber to share in these presents. The pian Is simple. Ton send us a new sub scriber. Tour name is at once written on stag and put in our present box. On March 1, the box is shaken and the tags mixed up, and committee draws out a tag. The name on that tag gets the 4100 present. The second tag the |S0—and so on till all the presents are taken. Of course every person who sends a subscriber will not get a present, but evory one Winn tzAvx aw equal cHAjecx. The lady who sends one subscriber may get the $100. Somebody gUBELT wile. Why not you? Bomember pour name goes in once for every subscriber yon send, and once for your own subscription. If you send five subscribers at one dollar each yotf%ol one of our superb pictures free. For five subscribers at $1.00 each, by adding $1.23, Watch and chain. For ten snbeeribert at tl.00 each, and at one time, a watch and obaln free. In each ease yooi name goes in our present box for every oamo you send. N owwe urge every subscriber to be repre sented In our present box. There is not one of the 83,000 subscribers this week who cannot get one subscriber—that one subscriber may get you $100. The box Is closed March 31st, promptly. Mo names will go into the box ex cept those sent in during the month of Febrn Our Story Corner A WYOMING WEDDING. Uy IT, R. Hasten In the Argonaut. Jim Mason dismounted at Barton’s ranch, turned hla pony into the corral, and strode heavily into the bunk-room. Ops of the ridore of'Burton’a outfit sahl, “Howl" and Jim gavo him the same tone greeting. "What’s new over Crazy creek way?” shouted long Fete. “Nothin’ much. Is the old man here? Mat wants him to send over a couple o' you bucks, to help him swim them northern cattle ’cross the river. We're short handed.’’ “Better seo him after supper. Got his two gal daughters out here now, and they’re fcedln' in tbonew shanty. Them two dudo cow punch- m eats with 'em, an’ they take a sight o^ time.” “I donlt hold with women and dales on a cow ranch much,” said .Tim. “Who .local” ejaculated Hairy Mike. “I’m goln’ to quit Burton, Tbo darned dudes mako mo sick. With college chips cornin’ out here and swellln’ roan', It ain’t no place for a common waddy. I run cows in this country when the Injuns was runnin’ us an’ I got no uso for fan cy business. One o’ the dudes he stacked up ’long side o’ mo on circlo t'other day, an' ho says, ‘Flue mornin’, Mike?’ I says, 'Yes, It ain't; an’ you’d better not monkey ’roan’ mewithyer -cheap talk. Fm a six abooter man from way back, I am; I eat snakes, an’ I’m a wolf—yon hear me howl?’ That's how I throwed It Into smaity.” “Tho dames Is pretty slick dames,’’ said Pete; “ole Burton reckons to marry the plogtooth -du.lo to one uv om. Seems his old man owns » railroad east somewhere.’’ “Maybe so. Plogtooth ’nil fool him up a trip,” giowled Mike, “ilo's a no ’eount sort. Beckon bis people sent him out hero to koop whisky out uv him. Dom him; keepin’ some good man out nv a Job.” “Kiu Re ride?” iifr^ Jim, “Bldo within’. Burton give him a string o' nmti irsetitles linrsM tsfift'in tnliHstp ftihlnn ” plumb gentle horses. HeteTn soldier fashion. “Well,” raid Pete, "tho domes think he's nice 'n a whlto face ycarlin’. He's sura gittin’ in his fine work with the pretty one, Helen, or whatever she calls herself. There's slush a hollerin'. Well, we kin resale grub if wo don't cat with thedndee.” Alter supper Jim went over to the gaudily painted bouse and discharged hie mission, “Did you see the gala?" asked Mike when ho returned to the rider's cabin. “Clot a kin o' squint at ’em. Which ono is It has the sort o’ open mouth, short lipped like? She's as slick lookin’ as soy o’ thorn actresses't come to Cheyenne.” “Helen, that Is. She’s the one the jay Is af ter. What Is It ho answers to? Scranton, ain't It, Shosty?" A man mtlier over six feet in height looks up ftom the rawhide repo ho la bmldlng, and rolls a cigarette bofitra he replies. “Sounds somethin'like that, doin' back in the mornin’, Jim?” “Bather. We gather a raft o’ cattle ever there; rede all our home poor. laln'thadmy boots off three nlghte a week. Found ay ear tonight, though, pretty solid.’ “You may’s well crawl into 's nnst,” said Shorty. “I got a pretty fot bod, I havo. That fellow tho freighters bang give me three pair o’ daisy blankets. Outside’s best, 1 reckon.” “Yon bet you. I don’t honker afer slcepin' indoois, not without it snows. That's why the -city ebsps look so rocky, don’t lot tbo wind blow through their whiskers nights.” “Wonder who'll git to go over to the river with you.’’ said Mike, “damped down by the bend? “Yee.” “Is the company giving pretty good chuck this year?” ■ •'Way up, Mac makes ’em. There ain’t any dried on tliowag’n, bat ole tireaeer Smith is cookin' fer us, and his bread is tha best roused up bakin’ out. I hear them Horseshoe Y 3 nun is gettin’ condensed milk. Now, I call that dvilixir.’ too much. Man can't drink straight coffee ought to quit ringin' to the cows.” Win n themen wore all in bed, and Shorty had thrown a boot at tho candle stuck on the door rill, Hairy Mike's rapacious snore gave the rig- nal for silence and rest. At daylight next morning JimMason and tsto of the Burton riders started for tho camp on the N. n b Platte river. A few miles on tho way, Jim discovered that he bad loft his c iert at Burton's, and told the other men he would lope beck for It, and overtake them on tbo di- Vide. Beac hing the ranch, be Matched the bunk xonnd for the cuert,and then weot down to the barn to tee It it lay where he had left his sad- die over night. Crossing the corral toward tho ham door he was ine-ud by the sound of a worn in's voice in the knilding. Jim was not a carpet knight, and would have left his cnert more willingly then face one of Barton’s daughters. As ho stood hesitating, he heard a little cry of pain, and then a man's voice said,sharply: “Don't be n fool, Nelly." It was not old Barton who spoke; Jim was certain of that; it must be one of the dudes, and be listened. If any ooe was Ulkirg roughly to one of thoss girls— “But yon prom'sed, Arthur; you promised!” “Piedeely. And I probably told you that you Were »a angel. Men will uso figuree of speech uudercertsin circumstances. Be sensible, NoI*y. 1 believe this is all nonsense; but If you want to makes run for it, I’ll pay your fore east, aud see that you're comfortable. But as for marry ing you. I can’t do it; not yet, at any rate. If you son fit to make a scandal, you'll bo biting K ur note off to splto your foce, that's all. I'd in a mess, certainly; but where would you bt?” “And if I went east?” “If you let nm manage it my own way, you'll be Mrs. Scranton a year from now, and nobody’ll know the difference. What is the use of all this cry ine?” “O, Arthur, I am so wretched”— Jim Mason left tho corral and spurred after tho men. He could not face tho poor girl, and be dreaded making more trouble for her. But all the way to tbo month of Cresy creek ho was wondering what bo could do. “Say, Mao," said JimMason to the Half Circle Cross foreman that night, “I got to go to town. Wouldn’t leave when you're so rushed, on'y can't help it. I kin come oat In a conplo o’ day.” Mac poked his pipe thoughtfully. “Well, be aslquick as you kin. If the river don't go do wn, it's goln’ to be a job swimming cows. Take one o’ them extry horses; yonr string is kind o' worked down. If yon see any men, I want two’r three; no tenderfoot.” Next night Jim was In Cheyenne. He went to <bc house of tho Cresy Creek Cattio Com pony's general manager and said: “Mr. dray, 1 want (o git a hundred dollars right off.” 'Why, Jim, this Is a new trick for you, com ing to town in tho rniddlo of work ana wanting to play faro.” “I bad to come io, Mr, dray, and it ain’t foro I want It for." “I haven't gat that much, bnt I’ll sea if my wife lias. Ckn’t you writ till the oflloe it open in the morning?" “I'd tuther not; but I kin borrow it round town if yon ain't got It.” Mr. dray got tho money, and told Jim torign for It at tho company'! office next day. “All tielit.—nn 1 rnu Irnnwl ulrnd wm ‘All ri*ht—an' you know I asked you to look After my back wages Cor me; tliero'a about six imu i".v urtuu wiij;u,i ior mu, imiros »<> hur-dred. I’d liko that iu the morntn’.^H “Well, go alow with it Jim. Mac is talking of going back east after this season, wo shall want you to take his place.” M 1 reckon I know the brands as well as most of ’em. lint Mao is a lateral born cowman. That rheumatiz is a pesky thing, ain’t it? A I man can't last no longer than a snow ball in hell, ildin’ with that In him.” “Cattle looking woll?*’ “Fairish. Rango is gottin’ pretty crowded. Well; so long.” “Goodnight, Jim.” From there he went down to West Moyer’s. The proprietor of tbo diamond palace saloon was watching a monto game, but assented to Jim's proposition to “have a bottlo o’ wino.” Over tho champagne Jim said, VLook here, Wes, I want a couple o’ mon to go out to Mao. Is there any good hands here?” “Yes; thero’s Tor, he’s broko already; and Heifer Jack, we’ll about get his wages cleaned up tonight. He’s playin’ $5 chips.” “All rigiH How I want you to put mo on a little racket,' Wes, on thh quiet. I want to ran up agin’ a busted preacher; a proachor that Whtili fttlifl* tirMiw l,<1.1 K:ivvu?” warns stuff pretty bad. Savvy?” “I don’t worry with that brand mneh. Bat most o' them backs is pretty well fixed, Jim. Thor's that Noyes chap, though, him as tho \(»tViruU«l. finwl nut ri' lVmvni” tin’anntnlWnr's Metfiodist fired out o' Donvor; he's up to Dyer's hotel, an’ If bo’s busted he’s sobor. Bound him “fee yon sgin’ fore yon ‘ I reckon.” Tho Ifov. Mr. Noyes proved to bo reasonably sober, and accepted tbo stranger's Invitation to drink with alacrity, “Yon’r a preacher, ain’t yon?” ssld Jim. “I have that honor. I am glad I look like It. Malicious men have hinted that my prasonee was not too clerical. Mine, sir, has been a checkered career—monk, spiritualist, trigger minstrel sud ctblno surgeon—” “Not Interruptin'—do yon want a couple of twenties?” asked Jim, displaying the coins In question with Ingenious sagacity. Tl.„ T', .. IV. V and Mike went to sleep again, while Jim nn- •trapped and rolled ont a bed. In the morning he waited about the Corral until he saw Scranton, and then saidt “Say, Plogtooth, was it you was wanting ter buy that black horse o'French Charley's; the ono ns he broke ter lop fences?” “Yee.” “Well, ef you’re kind o’ slick about it you kin git him for fifty, French owes me aouie dust,an' I get to git It. He's over tor Moun- tain Irion with the hone now; if youkln.osmo right over an’ I’ll git him to dicker. On'y ho don’t want none o’this Barton gang to know nothin’ ’bout It till tbo horso is sold. Ho owes the olo man some stuff, I b'Ueve.” Scranton’s eyes glisten; tho blto’r horse was worth a hundred, and be hastily stddledapony. They rede over to the Mountain Irion togeth ;r, Jim's bone beginning to need the spar toward tho end of tho journey. Entering tho oorrel, thry dismounted, and as Scranton wn,about to pull the knot out of hla lardigo Jim Mason tossed the loop of his riata over the “dude's’’ shoulders, drawing it up so that Scranton's arms were pinioned at his side!. “Quit yonr fooling!” said Scranton surlily, "It’s your foolin’ I calkUate to stop, Plug tooth,” replied Jim, as he drew Scranton*! pis tol from its scsbbard, and stock It it in his own belt. Then he wound the rawhide rope round his hand, close up to the houdoo, and led his captive into the log house. • lSnt mmn rmnn'nr fnr t dot some comp'ny for ye, preaeher.” “DcUghtcd!” said tho Bev. Mr. Noyes. “As the ‘locum tenens’ of tho diocesan of Mono- tain Lion, I welcome you to its cloisters, my young friend.” “Are you one of the gang?” snarled Scran- ton. “So you’ve turned road agent, Jim Ms- ton. Tsko tho fifty and let mo go; you're now at tho bnrineta.” Jim plucked open the stove door with hit spurred heel, and thoughfUlly spat In the fire. “Viultnt language, my eon!" exclaimed t anicUK asvuguagc. tujr wu. vanusjutvu Noyes. “If you are sincerely curious as to the purpose of my presenoehere, I don’t mind tell ing you that I am here to solemnise a funeral, and that you are about the rise of tho ebrpee required.” Jim looked up sharply, whistled a line of ‘■Never take tho homeehoo from tho door,” opened the stovo door with tho othorheol, kicked tho door in place again and said: ''Es to the fifty, I’ll take It when I want It, Plugtcoth. Ez to my havin’ turned roa I ain’t so turo what I hov turned.” “Are yon both cresy?” “O, no, Plngtootb; we ain’t been eatln’ no loco. Look bore, yon’re goln’ to bo loft olono hero with this gen’l’mon, an’ yon’re going to bo Utd up, which lio ain’t. Now, Flngtooth, I got u notion he’s tho sort o’ ornery chap thet. l f yon taa him will knock tho staffin' ont o’ you; oz long ez yer tied up. An’ If I was you I'd bo kinder perlito, I would," Scranton sworo savagely, find tho Rot. Mr. utnugu onva Bn t aj,u> 11 min iruu >11. Noyes expressed his reprobation of the “ftao- tice of profanity. • " “No uso worryin’ him, preacher,” said Jim. 'Now I’m going to tio him down on thet bench, an’ then I’ve got to quityon ono while. litre's a* trho wlj ' hit pop,r ef yon can help Ik And kin folk to him abont anythin’not too ixdtin’. Savvy?” “Parflrallv. Tho Ifov. Mr. Noyes deposited his tumbler on tho bar end answered, “I should smile!” “Kin I dicker with you, straight?” “do ahead,” “First off, preacher, ray name Is Jim Mason, Half Circle Cross outfit. I don't make no six •hooter plays, and I don't set np to be no bad man ftom the Meters! country, but this Is money I’m going to talk to you, an’ If yon ring In any fUnny business you’ll cough through your ribs.” “Go ahead.' “Will you stop budgin' fer to or three days, •rd take a trip out to Fort languaway with me? It’s $10 a day and $10 extry for tbo wear o' your tools, Bible and sich.” “Go ahead.” “Myristoran’ her feller wants to git married. You're to meot ’em at an empty ranch an' blteh ’em.” Shake.” preachers, I reckon ono of ’em playin’monte or somethin’, an’I might have to bold him down like while you do the mar- ryin’, so be can’t crawl yer hump.” “I think we understand tack other, Mr. Ma son.” “AH right. I’m goln' to sleep with you to night, bo's to know yon ain't a drink In', an’ wo want to start about half-past nine; I got to do little somethin’ here fink” “Don't you want to buy a wedding ring?” “.Yes, I reckon I do." ‘ Bell you the ticket for, ono cheap. Uncle Jake's got ikdownby the railroad.” “Fis that in the mornin’. Como to bed now. ain't stop' In sheets for a tarnation time. I’ll git yon a ttiddy bone to ride ouk preacher.’’ When tbo Btv. Mr. Noyes dismounted at Mountain Lion ranch next day he wee weary and braised bnt cheerful. “Quiet sort of place, this!” be remarked. “You mightn’t think It, Mr. Mason, bat I was once a hermik I let up a cell abont three miles out of San Francisco, and people used to drive out there with offer ings. In the flesh times, that was, and I’va had » four boxes of cigars brought to me In one day.” “You wouldn't drive mueb nv a trade here.” aid Jim grimly. “Yon see this cabin’s on'y need when (be outfit gets ’round here on the calf gather, and want tbe corrals to brand In. Used to keep a ranchman here to hloderfolten from burrin’tbe corrals for firin’, but It's «o r o’ the way they don't do It now. I got the hotel to put op ten lunches in this sack; one nv 'em is fur thegal, bnt you kin tackle tbo balance. I'll git a fire In the stove for you, an’ then I got to light not again. Yon Jos' ett an' pi nnd yer ear till f stir yon up agio tomor'. Er any body comet along tell ’em yon got small p 'X an’ run ’c m off. Beckon yon won’t be both ered. Give me that flask out o’ your coot fust; d’ytr think I wasn't onto It? Well, there ain’t enough to get tight on, f goal* So long, preacher.” At midoight Jim reached Barton’s rtneh, turned bit tired and hungry pony Into thspse- tore, and picked hit weyinto tbo bunk room through too group of bods about tbo door. Hairy Mike, who was sleeping by tbo stove, relied over and sainted him with: "You back again? Stampede over thaw?” "Stampede nothin’. Where's them wattles’ beds that wont over with me?" "In the Wtott uhett tiwa briOlci it Jauguv; 'Perfccily. "An’ water him of ho gate dry.” When So an ton bad been carefully secured Jim called Noyes to one ride and said: “Yon don't want to try and square yourself with tho dudo, proachor. Nover change sides in a matter you'vo squarely sot out to do In tho ub«mo of ynnr friend.” “Have no fear I And you’ll bo book?” "To mar’, I reckon, Don't say nothin’'bout her to him. Jest kinder amuso him -liko—lies an’ slcb. So long, preacher,” Jim saddled tha hired horse and rode ovor to within two or three miles of Burton's, and then took the bridle off, hitched the maoartoon hla wrist, and wrapping himself in his oilskin “•Ucker,’’ slept soundly through the night, while the horse crcpped tbe grass within tho •cope of his tether. In the morning, an hour after SUL rise, he redo down to tho ranch. Tho men were all out on tho tango, and after got' "Not 'ac'ly ill, bnt bo's got a follow from town over there. I reckon no wants you to— woll, I ain't anro, but oeems to mo bo's a preacher! Anywise he wants you to como and not to ray nothin'. Will I catch np with that little bluo o' youm and clap yonr hull on him?" “Thank yon, yea. Ob, it’s a long way over. Can I get hack—" “Oh, that’ll bo all right.’ 1 ting a cap of coffee from tbo cook. Jim awaited devclopmements. By and by Helen Burton went down to tbo corral, and bo followed her. She said good morning, absently onongh, and Jim’s heart Ailed him a little. But ho pulled himself together. “Min Helen, yon know that Scranton?” "Yea—ybt.” "Well, he’s over ter Mountain Irion, nn’ ho wants ter know ef yer wotridn’ like to ride over there with me?” “Is be 111? In-” “Will yon jnst hold on bare a mtnit? said Jim, and entered tho bouse, whore ho released Scranton. “Now, Plogtooth, there’s a dame comln In here, in’ tba preacher la coin’ to marry you. An’ I'm goln to look on through the winder. Ef yer make a kick, or don't behave pretty to thet dime yon'll get them oars o’ yonrn reamed cut with a forty-five. Savvy? I moan It, too, yon little scoundrel, del yonr filin'* ready, pieachtr, and tio ’em solid and quick” When Jim brought Helen Into tho cabin she nn towards Scranton and was about to speak to h'm when tho Bev. Mr. Noyso interposed. tbs moment we place of worship. More is the ring, Mr. Scran ton.” In flva minutes tbo ceremony wu finished. The finalinloctfona which Mr. Noyso so unc tuously delivered see mad to exasperate Scran ton beyond all patience, and turning to hla bride bemld: “I hope you're Mtiafied. If I don't—’’Jim Mason's hand dropped on bis •boulder. "Excuse mo, Mis’ Scranton, bnt I scant to •peak to this gen’l’man outside. Preacher, you an' tbo lady wait bore.” Ha led Scranton to the lido of tho creek, where n few box-cldars made foablo effort to •hade ils cattle-trodden banka. “I’ll trouble yon for that fifty.” Scranton surrendered it. "Well, so long,” said Jim, and shot him through the head. Helen, hearing tbe shot, tried to force her way out of tbe door, and had nlmoet pushed by Nr,yee, when Jim entered, bis foce flecked with whitish dote, and checked bor. "Ther's nothin’ than now. You'd bettor many rue, I reckon, Wilder Scranton.” Helen stood inthedoorway, wbitoanfidazed, while Noyes, in compliance with a look from Jim, married them. “Hera's your money, preacher, git back to torn.” As Noyes lift tba cabin Hcleo fell heavily on tbe floor. Jim wot hla band in tba bucket atd dabbled tbe wa’crawkwardly on bor bead. “Now, Mbs Helen,you rids to Pino Bluffs. Yon know tbe trail. There's money ’no igh la this wad to take yon East; and then yon write to Jim Muon, Crery Creek Cattta Ceuin -v, V time know where you are; aoycu'U alt met-, ill acoyncrelamanto.nl(bt. an’ nyes Is all right with him. When yon want* divorce, JW Jttifc felW HISS jlglgn.’ SOLD TO THE DEVIL. By Wallace I*. Rood. For Tho Constitution. “lie’s pure grit, and nothing else!” We wore speaking of Milo West, whon Par- son Dow brako ont with this admiring tribute. The parson was an old-fashioned hard-shell Baptist, and West was a motnber of hla flock. “Sometimes,” continued the parson, “my people get to studying over new-fangled no tions in religion, and It gives mo a heap of tronble to straighten thorn ont But Milo West has been on the right track from first to last ilo turns hit back on all theso educated preachers and commcntaten who are doing their level best to explain the Bible away until there Is nothing loft of it He takes the Bibto at it Is. Ho believes in hell, tir, and yon don’t catch him trying to explain away eternal pun- ithment and the lake of burning firo.” “Rut you spoke of his grit” “Yes, I don’t think West knows what fear It When ho once takes a stand you might as well try to movo a mountain,” Perron Dow’e worde did not Impress mo at tho time. I was a newcomer In Cottonvillo, and there ant nothing about West to exclto my special interest. Tho man was a small country merchant, and his stern look, abrupt ways nnd lack of accommodation, confined his trade to a narrow circle of onstomers. It was not many month* howover, before I found myaelf regarding West with Increasing Interest and respect. His story was one only too common in tho short and atmplo an nals of tho pour. Ho had worked hit way at a frkudlcEa orphan boy up to manhood, and af ter clerking for years on a starvation mlary ho had saved enough monoy to open a little store of his own. Hit rigid Integrity and his activity In tho Blue Bock church, made him a notable man In tbo community. What plotted me more than anything else, I must say, was his devotion to bis wlfo and children. To tbo outsldo world bo appeared cold and roaorved, but in lili family ho wus a model husband aud father, Freqoontly I spoke of West to my frlonds as example of a self-made man, and ono of my done, Int I know that ho has dono wrong And yet, I cannot help it. I can do nothing.” Sho turned away and ran into tho houto. "Such a woman!” exclaimed tho parson. “And such a man! But I told you ho wu pure grit, and so ho is, oven In a bad cansel” tsaa a.x.inijiie. ut it nLiriuuuo mm. nuu uu predictions wu that ho would die rich, I cannot recall tho time when I first began to notlco bia failing health. At lut It becamo plain to bis fellow-townsmen that he wu a doomed man. Some chronie disease with, an unpronounceable name wu gnawing at hla vitals, nnd tho victim know, evoq before ho heard It ftom hla doctor, that ha had only a few months to live. Occasionally West would bmeo up and visit dislant cities, always retaining with a largo ri ock of good* It was wonderful how bta Iron ulll kept him up on tlioso expeditions. Tho wholesale merchants who were dealing with him never auspcctod that their customer had < uo foot In tho grave. Hut there la a limit to endurance. Ono day ’Milo West sold out his entire stock, and pain- fniiy limped through Cottonvillo for tho last time. “I am going homo to dlo,” bo sail, as ho shei k hands with me. . * I looked at his dead while face nnd glassy eyes, and know that ho apoko tho truth. After tho lapso of n fair days there wu a seed deal of talk about thoahk man’s affairs. It took mo some tlmo to got tho wholo story, but llttlo by Uttlo It carao out. Before West showed any sign of Illness, and whllo ho wu In a round financial condition ho settled his homo place on his wlfo. Uo mado ■heavy purchases on long tjmo, nnd, worst of all, It wu whispered that he had borrowed tcvcral thousand dollars of certain well-to-do members of the Bluo Bock chnreh. It Is not too mueh to My that something llkn a general gloom settled ovoe tho community when tbs nature and extent of Milo West s operations bccamo generally known. A man may bo at death's door, hut If ho lias creditors bo trill not lack visitor* Every day strangers wore seen coming and going at West’* cottago. Lawyers and dram- men from a dlstanco visited him. They begged, argued, threatened, bnt tha eorpoe llkn foce of tho invalid thawed no trace of emotion. They could get no Mtlsfoatton. Sometimes after a protracted' interview tho merchant’s ayes would flub with a steel-like gleam, and pointing hla bony finger to tho door, ho would Ml I wu with Milo Writ when ho died, Howu reclining In hla big cbalr, and hit oyea were fixed, ss I had seen them once before, on the crimson sunset. Mr* Wost wu In tho room, and wo both had a presentiment of whst wu coming. Suddenly West whispered hla wife's name. The little woman wu at hit side in a moment. Her husband smiled folntly. and laid bis hand gi inly noon the bowed head. Then the smile faded away and tha wretched man’s foce assumed a gbutly pallor. Hit large, rad ryct gavo a luminous flesh. I rushed for- ward, bnt only to stagger beck in a state of paralyzed alarm. A groan that sounded liko tbe agonized well of a loot zonl in tbo regions of tbe damned rang out on tho sultry evonlng sir. Milo West wu dead I "It Is horrible,” utd good old Parson Dow, when I fold blm, “bnt what did I uy? In everything, whether good or bad, that man wu pure grit I" ARP’S LETTER. OUR WILLIAM LONGING TO RE-y TURN HOME. StariUlen sod Its Many Sdoostlonsl Institutions-! Frnsnted With a Sotmuet of Violets. Wnloh He Loyally lands to Mrs Arp-A Modal Hotel-Leeturlsc Under DifflduUlaa. HB HAS BEEN HANGED ONCE. “Go!” It sounded so much like a voioo ftom tho grave that tbe request wm always obeyod. Old Parson Dow and tbo leading member* of tho Blue Bock chnrch, u wu bnt natural, weio terribly dltlotbod in mind ovor tbo wholo botluct* Ono enltry August afternoon I wont with tbo perron to call on West, Wo found him lug red sunset. “Blether West,” said tha parson, u ho pulled out bis pocket Bible, “I thought I would read ’’ 'l’nt It away!” Interrupted tbe tick man. What did you uy?” asked Parson Dow In otter Mtoniilmcot. “I said put it away,” wu tbe reply; “I do not wish to see that book again, ana I will not hear It read.” “Milo West, you have toll mo a thousand times that yon believed every word In this book I” blurted out tho bewildered preacher. “And I believe more firmly now than over,” rrplii d West, itdly, “but it la no longer a com- fort fo me.” “Now, Brother West,” utd tho parson, with determined air, "this won’t do. It you bo lls vo wbat yon My yon believe, and obstinately refuM to repent end make restitution to tho good people you bare so wickedly wronged, thin I must my that you seem to have deliber ately sold yourself to tho dull I” Aa be mid this l’areon Dow towsral up to bis foil bright, and bit Aee biased with right- tons indignation. “Hold myself to tba devil?” repeated West calmly, “wall, perhaps I have. That may bo » good way to put It, You may rest assured, patron, that if I have mado such a bargain I’U stand by it.’’ Tbo man navar flinched. Ho looked at us without a tremor. “Now. go!” bo said, pointing to tbo door. As we deputed, Parson Dow tried to put lot word with Mrs. West. “Voor husband is in a frightful frame of mind,” he said. Mi* West Wiped away a tear. J ran do nothing,’’ she renllod. 'Bat, my dear .later,” urged the parion. Haute Fe, February 11.—Friends of Theo dore Baker, now confined in the ponltontlary horn under sentence of death for tho murder of I a man In Eut Colfox county, this territory,! think it particularly hard that he should bo compelled to mount tbe (allow* Tbo terri torial supreme court bu Just rendered ado- cisfon in hla cato sfilrming tho sentenco of death, and fixing tbo date of hit oxocutlon on I the 18th of this month, Tho prisoner's friends will see lf they cannot get tbe awe before the I United Btstcs supremo court, on the ground that Baker has onoo boon hanged forthccrlme, land that tho proposal to hang him again is In violation of tbo eonstitatlon of tho United State* which declares that a man shall not be twice pntlnjeopardy for tho same offense. Baker’s erfmowu tho killing of Frank Un roll, a little more than a year ago. Uhrahwul a lurveyor, and Baker bad boon asked by him to keeps watch upon affairs at Uhrnh’s ranch I whlto tho latter wot abeent. In this way Baker and Mre. Uhrah struck up an Intimacy, which luted for some tlmo. Concerning tho denoue ment there are confllctfog stories. Baker and tho woman uy that Uhrah attookod Baker, and that tha shooting wu in self-defense. Neighboring ranchers nssort, however, that tho Unison wu notorious and that Baker nnd tho woman had more than once threatened to make I way with Uhrah, Tho position In which tho hotly of tho murdered man wufonnd, and tho far t that bullet marks In tlio trail or tho room lndlcutcd that thoahootlug was all on ono aide, also served to fix guilt upon Baker, Tho pris oner la a young man of more than thcoidinary intelligence, and tho woman, who Is now in jail at Springer awaiting trial u an accoaiory, It pro- iw.caring in appearance. Ac scon as lfukcr wu placed under arrest lto Wag conveyed to Springer, whore ho was seized by a mob nnd lynched beforo ho canid bo put In Jail. Murder had been of frequent occur rence in that vicinity, and ft wu enough for ; ■ho crowd fo know thut tho officers had a man c! urged with tlintciimo. Itisnotprchablothat oi.o man In tea who participated fn tbo lynch ing of Biker know anything about tbo circum stances or tha crime with which howucliarg- cd. Having banged him In tho regulation stylo to tho limb of a tree, and fastened tho looso end of the ropo to tho trank, tho mob watched too dangling body fot a few minutes and then left tho spot, dividing up among tho various saloons of tbe town, whore tbo lad- dent created only a passing sensation. While the lynching wu going on, tho sheriff wu watching aflhlre near by, and u soon as ho saw J tho crowd dlsporso bo ran quickly to tbo banging form and cut it down. With tbo u- alliance of a' deputy ho carried tho body to tho bock door of tbo Jail, and on ontoring that building, and giving orders not to bodls- lurbcd, bo proceeded, with tho aubtanoe of a physician, to revive tho prisoner, Baker had been hanging by tha neck foe ton minutes when ho wu cut down, and at least fifteen mluutoo more elapsed before tho sheriff had I him In thojall. All the time the prison or wu enoomufoiu aud apparently llfolos* Bnt tho Isherlff went to work on him with groat energy, and after half an hour of rubbing and thoap* The Meridian son b shining. Tho balmy alrb foil of odors—odors of sweet flowora (list havo come forth to toll us that spring hu como. Peach and plum and cherry trees are in foil bloom and the flower gardens are bright with Jonqnlb and jeMamln* A kind lady sent mo a bouquet of sweet violets, and I shall mall them to Mr* Arp and Illustrate my continued loyalty that neither latitude nor longitude can lesson. Meridian ladles uo charming, and I lovo to look at them, of course. Sweet ladles, sweet birds and sweat flowers If are not lost their sweetness tome, but whenever I loo them I want to go homo, and that b tho beat sign of loyalty that I know. I left Mr* Arp In trouble. She was grostly perplexed, for tho had to move and I was not there to pun aud to help. It b a big thing to move. Wo made a start tho morning I como away. Wo loaded two wagons and could’nt mbs anything hardly. It u a good thing to have a house Aril of plunder, but it is an awf rl thing to more. They uy that three moves are equal to a firo, but with careful hands I don't think wo will low much. I sent to Homo for Tlp-tho faithful Tip—who humored more Bomans than all tlio rest, and knows exactly how to do it, and I tried to per suade Mi* Arp to go to town and atay away nntll tho transfer wu over and everything wu arranged In our now homo, bnt sho wouldn’t surrender. It will tako all tho woek, I reckon. Oar grown np daughters are off on a month’s visit, onr grown np boys have all left us, __ ~ ' * Jessie are In town at school, and so Carl and J _ | | ■ there wu nobody loft hut tho paternal and maternal ancestor* Jnst two-only two-to sit at the tablo at meal time, Ono at tho head and tho other at tho foot. It Is a short table now, and when Mrs. Arp makes my coffeo I can tako it from her hand. Tho vgry klosslng that I invoked upon the humble meal sounded loncsomo. How wo did miss tho morry chat of children. How pleasant It b for a numer ous family to gather around tho morning moai and talk ovor tlio work for tlio day. How wclcomo are tho lamps that light up tho owning repast. Mrs, Arp uv sho hod no sppctlto and I liad no hilarity. It fakes more than two to ho morry, especially It tlioso two are on tho doecondlng grade. We sat liy tho firo and gazed dreamily at tho con suming llamas. We pondorod over tho put with its comforts and its sorrow* and our thoughts were running in tho same channel. Thirty-eight years we had boon mated and never beforo had wo sat at tho to?'-, or hr tha fireside for awholcdaybyoursolve* And no - I wu going too. "Wo can'* stand this,” said I. “Wo must movo to town and board our own children. 1 won't sloop fn this house another week without them. Wo will movo.” How quickly did my wlfo break ftom licr rovorle. With a watery eyo and a trembling voire sho said: "Sure enough.” “Yes,” said f, "I will go to (own In tho morning and rent a houro. I know ono wo can get." Bo I went to town aud I bought it; a pleasant house with a beautiful oak grovo in front nnd tho railroad In full view. By ihie time everything Is moved, I roricon, . wu rewarded by string tho man who had been hanged open bis eyes and look wonder- lngly about him. All that night the shorlff morning of tho next day be had Baker sufl dcntly revived to breath with regularity and . 1® to eat In a mechanical wsy some light food. Thns fkr no one In springer knew of tbo re- oovery, except tha sheriff, Ms deputy, and tho “But, my .leer sister," urged uo parion, 'you'know somethlug of what hu been going Will you allow your dying bnsband to go ont of tbo world dishonored o'" and dlifruM. Book to Mm ’iko a trae woman. Tall him that you will Li t keep ono dollar of bb ill- gains. That will bring blm to lib senses. lie will psy hb creditors and make bb peace with God.” “And do yon think,” Mid tbo poor woman bitterly, “that I havo not Mid all these things? Bnt yon do not know my bnsband. While no always been kind to us ho hu ruled ns In everything. We bare always yielded to him, and we most yield now. Wo bad a bard strug gle with poverty before wo began to enjoy any of tbe comforts of life. Nobody helped us. Kobe, ly ever seemed frfrriMy or rar-iwethet'e ur.?'T *"'■■ ’t vc cWi. lo.L wo ... i i •! !”T* . Hwta. _ n.y bu,land’s life hae been tbe >r la >t he wetoid die and leave no tn h*>tl* with the EVtld, id? wrt few* WMCtiy what ho hag cuvciy, Mcvtifa un hum ui, on uupusy, such hue doctor, and ft wu derided that the matter should bo kept a profound secret nntll Bskor could bo removed to Hants Fe for oafo keeping. Thbwuaccomplbbod daring tho following week, and tbe man who bad had ouch a strange experience wu placed under tbe cue of competent phytidane here. At first Baker coaid not talk at at all, bnt gradually bb tbonghte became more collected, and on etv- cral occasions he deecribed to visitor* the Ban correspondent among them, bb aonMtlopa u bo wu banging to tbo. limb ftom which bo bad been loosely swung. For tlx months he suffered Intensely from paint in the bead and from dlxzlncs* eometlmct becoming almost deranged, being unconscious of hb surround- ini* During them periods bo would Uvo over again bb experience at a rope’s end, and on recovering be would bo weak and greatly do- pressed In spirit* On hb trial the foots u to Josen men from Springer were pres. ont end ready to awear that tha real Baker bad been banged once for the murder or Ubiub. Tbo idontidcattra of tbe prisoner was complete, of coarse, bat no amount of testimony will over satisfy tbo Springcrites that tbo mao now in custody here b tho ono that they lynched. -Among tbe most active friends of the prisoner now ere the men who helped to bong blm, end If they bare any Inflntuce ha will not again go totbe-mpe. Attboogh under tbo decision of tbo territo rial supremo court Baker must bang a woek from noxt Friday, ft b tbo general belief that If out uuirnua/s » m iiio Kviigni uuuut uui be will be respited for thirty days at least, to give bb friends time to mako some efforts In bb behalf. The West Virginia Hnutorsblp. CilARLKvroE, W. Vs., February If).—'Tbe twrnty.fonrth ballot wu cast in the Joint av tcmbly today, after three hours were consumed in speeches from ontora in tbo rival democrat ic faction* There wu a change, and It Is now believed that Camden will bo elected. Tho gentleman who changed hb vote to Camden le Whittaker, an extensive manufacturer and In- flucntbl republican of Wheeling. Ho sa/s bo feels it duo to Camden that bo should support Mm. He it tbe first and only republican who dared to make a break. Tha ballot was: Cun- dr u file; Gals* greenbacks* 38; Governor WU- eon d; right scattering. Missouri. .. Mo, February 18.—A very Tha fore* wu severe enough t turv end dirpbec plast(ring ou the wall* But tbo old homo Is not given np. That is our country scat. Our children bavo been happy there, and thoy •ball bo happy again. Wo will gu out In fruit season and nty a work a’. a time. Friday evenings I can tako tlio llttlo chaps out and stay until Sunday morning. Tho orchard and vineyard and fishiiond are not to bo given up. Tho tqnlrreb aod rabbits and partridges and possums are not to bn neglected, old Juhu says he will tako koerof ovoryt’Ing-mlghty f ood kecr. John wanted to buy a shout, and gavo blm ono. John wanted to buy a calf and soma accdtstcra aud a sheep or two, and when I told him ho couldcnt pay for them he said, “1 knows I cant, hut I ken giv you my noto liko do whits folks do, ” and ho toughed at hbown'sbrewdncs* A darky will bay anything bn can get on a credit. Ono wantod dollar In the world • . there b a lira on bb crop every year beforo ho makes it, and bo always comes out behind. Meridian ba progressive town often thou sand people and sixty thousand bales. I hid no Idea of tbe mtgniludo of this town nor tho extent of ita businea* Tho railroad aho;* are here and give employment to flvo hundred person* Then there are two comprossoa and an Immense planing mill and a cotton seed oil mill and a cotton factory and tho state lostno asylum and other Institution* Thoy havo gradiil schools and private i:hoo!a andU ten a'a cullcgosndahcncvolcnt homo nnd beautiful churches and prohibition and street cars snd other etcetera* It b a harmonious town and everybody talks Mcrldbn, A traveling loot* urcr encounters many difficulties and hu to bo a philosopher to keep calm and bad to ran against a mlnsrtl trout* dbn-a good troupe with a brass bind and i wanted to go mighty bad for I have always bail awcakncMformnsic. Bnt I reckon tho town wu big enough for nsbotb for I was honored with the largest andlencs that I havo had in Mississippi. At the pleaunt vllbgo of Kowton I found shoot of old Georgia friends. One gray-ha I red veteran came several miles to see m* Hb name is T. L. Hammonds and ho and b one of throe brothers who was horn the same day—trlplcb-all living—and will ho 78 yean old next week- tlj married and havo children. Thb b tho first cue of tho kind I bavo ever known. Coho always uyo a couplo of pair when ho means twin* I wonder what h* woold cftll tbne. Mine boat at Newton keep? a model hotel and I paid my bill with uncommon gatlifac- . Isaysi ‘ ’ ““ My a model country hotel—tbo best I bavo over found, for all tbo work b dono by his pretty daughter* and it Is dono merrily aud neatly, and the fare wu Just splendid. They are not uhamed to help tbelr good parents make a living. Thoy are smart, and pretty and well behaved, llow gU'lly would I wol- como them u mydaughtcrs-ln-law, fori would then know that my boys were 91 fo. Safe from want and sate ftom social folly. I found a 1 old college mate hero—Bolton—Corporal Bolton wo need recall him. Wo luid not mot for 40 yean and it wu a treat to us Lotb. How gushingly wo talked over college memories snd dlscouraml of tho living, and Ismonted the dead. Tho» old Georgians uk msny questions about their old acquaintances which I cannot answer, hut comfoiL I leave Newton with 1 like ami hospitable ond so contented with thel unpretending town and its prospect* ba with Newton. Biu A p The New Jersey Laglilatnra. Tnr.vjox, N. J., February 17.—Altar day tattle In the araraihly the democrats lata afternoon woo a doublo victory and saatad- yi,nd further contest In the nata—Walter and 1 er. democratic representative* from Mercer an<t ’•mdcti counties, respectively, whose election* hs<i beta contested ttaqo tbs opening «f focecs* Non,

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Atlanta constitution. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, February 22, 1887, Image 1