The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-06
VOLUME |.
MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC MESSENGER.
NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY. DECEMBER 9. lses.
UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.


in the latter end of April The garden at the
rear Of the comfortable, whitew ashed, thickly.
matched cabin was abundantly stocked with
early cabbage and potatoes; everything bore
the look of humble prosperity; from the blue
smoke curling up from the freshly made fire on
the kitchenhearth to the green meadows where
broad river, glistening in the SUMS rays, rolled
smoothly beside the boundary wall of their
pasture.
Yet Kate Moran stood at her fathers door.
looking sadly across the river to the mass of
shipping, houses, and spires which rose on the
"Mother, can't keep my eyes off that dread
full place p said she, turning as she spoke to an
elderly woman, who sat knitting on bench
near the fire.
Musha, acushla, what good1l that do ye 2"
" Come in now !" putting her hand on her
daughters shoulder caressngly.
"Ol ,Inotl..r! To think q theipoor fellow
bein'--" Here she fairly broke down, and burst
into . wall of distress.
"Whist, now |" cried her mother. "Here's
your father comm, and don't let him ye
cryin'."
Kate ran hastily into q bedroom as her father
entered the kitchen.
"There's chance for the poor creature,
Pat Z" asked his wife, as broad-faced, good
humored looking man came forward and sat
down on the settle.
=" Chance ~ said he, roughly, while his face
clouded. Sorrow chance! He'll be hung, as
sure as I've this pipe in my hand"
Lord have mercy on his SOUL" moaned his
wife.
ooh, musha amen ~ said her husband, sigh
ing. Pm goin' in with the colt to the fair to-
morrow, an to see the last of him. It's never
1owsp
The sun was setting over the opposite hill,
where the tall, many-storied houses rose in ter
races and steep lanes and was shedding the last
beams of his radiance on the large, dark stone
building which crowned the height. The red
light seemed to be concentrated on one. part of
the building, where there was an iron gateway,
spiked and double-locked. Far above in the
dark massive wall, was small black door And
beneath this door, and around this gateway,
men were busy putting up strong timber rail
iBgs; while a crowd, talking and gesticulating,
constantly pressed iii upon the workmen, and
We're driven back by officials in uniform and a
few soldiers.
Inside the massive walls other workmen were
busy, but their work was commonplace enough
sewer of the Jail. Masons and brieklayers had
been laboring for some hours; and now, when
the city clocks and bells were striking six, they
ooas sas R sd sSo nea day.
There were no rough jests among Them One
man laughed as a companion slipped down into
the slimy ditch where they had emerged but
his merriment was checked by an Involuntary
look from the others toward the far side of the
yard where man in felon's dress, and with
manacled hands, was walking slowly up and
down.
Lord, have mercy on his soul 7" muttered an
old mason, compassionately. "Poor Tim Welsh
As honest o boy as ever father reared"
Whether the prisoner had caught the sound
of his name not, he raised his head and look
ed sadly towards them.
"Lord help him ~ said two three of the
mon; his only crime is loving Ireland too
we'll"
An official came across the yard to look at
their days work, and after. asking some qrscs-
tions, walked away, sayihg: "Come along
now the gate is open"
So, casting backward glance at the mana |
cled prisoner, the men passed through arch |
into an inner court, whence the great doors |
opened TO let them out into the street.
The manacled man gazed after their retreat .
ing figures with sigh-almost groan--as he !
thought of their return to their homes, free and
happy, from their honest labor, whilerhe-the !
" rap rap, rap, tap, tap" of carpenters ham
mers outside beat at the thought he could not
dwell upon.
There was no one with him, no one near him.
but a turnkey pacing up and down an angle of
the building; for in those days there was far
less vigilance than now. He was not confined /
to his cell on this, the last day of his life, but
was permitted to walk about the ouadFangles
of the prison; apart from other criminals, how
ever, and securely handcuffed.
Bitter and despairing were his thoughts He
thought of his gray-haired widowed mother of
his stalwart young brothers, of the lads he had