Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

the distinction of being senior among those
about him who were undergoing PUNISH
ment for life. Then he became restless,
enyiea those who went out after short pro-
batsons into the gay world again; he be-
came melancholy. He felt no remorse. but
he was weary of monotony; of the walls
and the sea, the bed and the chain. He
wanted liberty.
One day as he sat on his bed knitting, the
soldier in charge of the ward called him by
name. He rose, and having answered,
found that he had not been called alone
FIVE other prisoners we're summoned. The
six men were led under guard to room in
which sat the superior officer, with one or
two others, and the nature of the business
IN hand was explained to them. In one OF
the provincial towns there had died gov
erument offfciSl, whose place it was usual
to supply from among convicts OF the worst
class. The office was that of executioner
of the town of Damburgville- Cittapoli, and
the six prisoners selected were to have the
option given them, each in his turn, of buy
lng freedom by acceptance Of the vacant
office.
They were told that the salary was
good one, but that the officer appointed
would live quite alone, because OF course
the townspeople would not visit with the
headsman, even if he were a gentleman
and not convict of the lowest class. Be-
tram stood fourth in the order of seniority ;
and was therefore panied to feel that be
should lose this very good chance of eman-
cipation.
He did not lose il.
The first who was called forward declined
/ to leave the prison, saying that he was ac-
cu.tomed to it, and should not know what
to do with himself at Damburgville, with
nobody to speak to.
! The second who was called answered
that he should not like to undertake such
bloody work. At this time there was a
general laugh, because the man was known
to have committed more than one murder.
He understood the laugh, and offered ex-
Iplanation of his scruple. He said that there
was difference between some things and
other ihiags; that when fellow was in the
lhsmor, and had something pretty to gain,
moaey or revenge, be did not mean to say
that he was any way tender; but that il
was quite another matter to be taking tc
blood as a business for ones daily bread.
The third convict said that he did moi
reckon h.mself worse or better Christian
than has neighbor who had last spoken he
had been bad enough in his time, ano
thoaght it fit now to amend. # he wen
out into temptation he could not answer iol
what mischief he might do.
Betram next had liberty to speak, anc
he accepted The place without any hesita
ton. He was instructed that he had leave
to depart when he chose, and the necesSa
ry passports were immediately given IL
him, with a sum of money for his first ex-
penses. He was ordered to announce him
self to the chief magistrate Of the town,
when he arrived at Damburgville, and in
formed that the papers necessary TO install
him IN this office would at once be drawn
out and sent for signature to the capital,
whence they would be sent in due course
to his new employers. Betram de- Medici
was really free, and would not waste mo-
ment in delay. He put off his prison
u,
and made such haste that he was able to
leave has prison home by the first public
conveyance that set out after he had re-
ceived his liberty. So he arrived at Dam
burgvile while he was still in the first>aush
of exultation and surprise.
After refreshing himself at an inn, and
paving some attention to his toilet, he went
. fro he Str tba LODI
of child, inquired for the mayors house,
sent IN his highly respectable name on a
card and was ushered into the drawing
room. 1t was with extreme surprise that
he found himself received by the mayor
and his family as a visitor, and treated with
respect. Almost immediately, however,
he remembered that the worthy magistrate
could not yet have received the papers that
officially expaned'his business in the town.
He had followed orders in presenting hum
self on his arrival, but, having done that,
he was ir no hurry to explain his errand.
Having been accustomed to good society
in early life, his manners and address were
such as would very we'll lend themselves
to the sustainment of his worship in an err
ror out of which De- Medlci proposed to
extract few days pleasure. He therefore
did not undeceive the mayor, but suffered
himself to be asked the usual questions as
to what he had seen and wished to see.-
He also courteously received the usual Of
fers of assistance and of ntroductons.-
After pleasant bit of chat, he took leave,
but not before he bad accepted an invita-
ton to meet the family at the theatre on
the succeeding evening, and to accompany
them afterwards to an entertainment at the
house Of one Of the most distinguished fam
lilies residing in the place.
The convict went TO bed that night, at
his inn, thinking himself happy fellow,
and slept soundy under that impression.-
The following day found him pretty much
of the same opinion. If, from time to time
thought of the near future flashed Cross
him, he drove it awav VII VII the calculation
that he me-. me-. nave two or three clear davs
! ia mis- power, and that it was his part as
man OF sense, simply 10 make the best use
of this time. Accordingly, he spent the
morning IN lounging exploration OF the
town aud neighborhood, dined we'll, anus
ed himself at billiards, and at length, to-
wards dusk, sauntered towards his inn, to
prepare for the theatre, and for the ball that
was to follow. AS he walked along, his
position struck him for the twentieth time
in its amusing point of view. He enjoyed
vastly the idea OF the trick he was about to
play the select circles of Damburgville.-
There was no chance of his being recog-
missed; he should feel perfectly free to act
the gentleman among gentlemen and ladies
too, The ladies he quite longed TO meet