Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/146

 Legal Incidents.

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LEGAL INCIDENTS. III. SAVED BY A PICTURE. By J. W. Donovan. ONE hot day in July, 1860, a herdsman was driving a lot of cattle to a new ranch near Helena, Texas. It was hot, and he drove part way at night. In passing an other herd the cattle became mixed. The next day about noon a dozen or so Texas Rangers overtook the herdsman and de manded their cattle, which they said were stolen. They were a rough lot of men, with long hair, slouch hats, and covered all over with belts, pistols, and bowie-knives. The herdsman was alarmed. It was before the day of law and court-houses in that region, and he knew that he had better shoot five men than kill a mule worth $$. He felt the responsibility and offered to explain, but they told him to cut his story short. He offered to turn over the cattle not his own; but they laughed at that, and said they generally took the whole herd and hung the thief, to serve as a warning to others in like cases. They consulted apart a few moments, and said, " We 've made up our minds to give you ten minutes to explain yourself; so you can begin." The poor fellow was completely overcome. He looked at the men, turned pale, and commenced. " How many of you men have wives? " Four or five nodded. "How many have children? " They nod ded again. " Then you will know what I mean, and I 'll talk to you. I never stole any cattle. I came here three years ago. I am from New Hampshire; I failed there in the panic of '57. I have been saving; I have paid part of my debts; here are the receipts [and he unfolded a lot of them]. My friends live East, for I go from place to

place and have no home here. I have lived on hard fare; I have slept out on the ground. I am a hard-looking customer, but this is a hard country; these clothes are rough, but I am honest. Days seem like months to me, and months like years. I expect to sell out and go home in November for. Thanksgiv ing. You know, married men, if it was not for those letters from home [here he pulled out his wife's letters], I should give up; but I must get out of debt and live some way, men. I can't say no more, but if you must kill me for what I 'm innocent of, send these home. Here are the receipts, my wife's let ters; here 's my testament that my mother gave; here 's my little girl's picture, — God bless her! [and he kissed it tenderly]. Now, men, send these home — and can't you send half what the cattle come to? My family will need it so much more when I 'm gone." "Hold on now! Stop right thar! " said a rough ranger. " Not another word! I say, fellers, such men don't steal! You can go free. Give us your hand, old boy! That picture and them letters did the bisness. But you 're lucky, mind ye." "I 'll do better un that," said a rough ranger with a big bowie-knife in his hand. "I say, boys, let 's buy his cattle and let him go home now!" They did; and when the money was count ed the herdsman was too weak to stand. The sudden change unnerved him completely. An hour later he left on horseback for a near stage-route; and when he left the rangers shook hands with him, cheered, and looked the happiest lot of men ever seen.