The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-11-16


"a bitter day We could learn moth
ing of Young Wade after eight o clock on
the previous night. Then several had
seen hin,
He had taken tea at little coffee
house, as he sometimes did when he did
not intend to return home until quite
late. aud had said to some one there. L
must go back to the Office, | have forgot
ten something.
Half an hour afterwards Mike, the
porter. had passed hila u The street, and
young Wade had said
NV hat the time, Mike %
The porter told him.
II shall be too late" he said II have
an engagement, aud | must so back to
our place for parcel I've forgotten.
An apple woman on the corner had
seen him enter. He often bought fruit
from her for lunch, and she knew him
well by sight
There the news ended, until Mike.
going in to light the fires, found the place
d scene of confusion desks and safes
riaed, papers slrewn about, and every
mark Of systematic burglary.
Later in the day Lucy Evans came
down. He brother had sent her word of
what had occurred. She believed some
terrible accident had happened to Ben,
aud begged the firm to spare 30 efforts
10 discover him. She was almost dis
tracted. and who can wonder. They had
been going together. it seemed, to see
some play the night before, and she had
been su1i GENTLY alarmed by his failing TO
keep the appointment, to pe in meas
ure prepared for the worst She knew
he intended bringing her book. He had
spoken OF it. That must have been the
parcel he went back for. Of course she
never doubted him, and noone had dared
to hint at what had been whispered In
her presence.
For weeks, sir, the authorities were at
work. Immense rewards were offered
for the burglars, and for the recovery,
alive ordead, or young benjamin Wade,
but without the least effect.
We were notified Of every body wash
ed ashore, and OF every unknown man
found dead for months, and at last there
were few who did not laugh at poor Ben S
friends for their credulity.
1t seemed plain to them-and may
their brother-Ben Wade was guilty.
Poor Lucy never looked up. 1t was
easy enough to see that her heart was
broken, and In year size died. just d
week too soon to hear what | shall tell
you.
One morning [ was very busy at my
desk In the Office, when gentleman came
in and asked for Dir. Morris or Mir Grin
by. Old Mr.. Grinhy was home with
the govt, but Sir. Morris and the young
gentleman were in. ] saw the gentle
man was Clergyman, and iancied lie
had called to solicit sub-crIpti for some
mission to the heather, Or Sunday
School, or new church. But his first
words made me start. They were these:
I on remember. Of course, burglary
committed here year ago or more.
1 could not keep my seat then, but went
forward trembling hike leaf
Young Dir. Grinby had turned cutie
faint, and was leaning against the wall
Tor support.
You are aeitated, - said the clergy
man Il fear you viii be still more al
tected by what you must hear. y per-
son now In custogiy, condemned to execu-
ton, has a confession to make to you in
regard TO that aHair-a very horrible one,
| fear"
He took card from his pocket and
wrote q few lines
:. Ii you will call at the prison any time
to day you Will not be 100 late.-To-mor-
row is Friday and he is to suffer execu-
ton at dawn. Present this, ii you please
aud | lmplore you, ASK DO questions
nov"
Before they could say much he was
gone, afraid, | think, to be the first to
tell the story, ald our gentleman called a
cab and took me with them at NY re-
quest. They seemed to expect US ct
the prison, and We were admitted. Bat
~ the narrow corgiuUr 1IorEis stepped
us.
'Gentleman.' he said, "you must
nerve yourselves Have you reflected
that yon may see benjamin. Wade when
yonder door Is opened
Young Grinby pat his hand upon his
heart, and seemed turning faint again.
1t was tire first tune the thought bad
staggered nay mind, and il vas blow
1t sta ggered me.
The next minute the turnkey fang he
doer-open, and we were in the cell. On
the floor la7 a man broad shouldercd
fellow, III rough garments-whc seemed
to have cast himself down in grief or
terror. 1t was not Ben Wade At first
| thought l had never seen the face he
lifted as he arose. In moment it came
TO me. 1t was the leader Of the gang
who had been arrested for that OLD at
tempt at robbery, when we had found
little Ben III the stone vault.
on ve come, have you?" said he.
sitting down on the stone seat, ''ana |
see you know NE. They've caught me
again, and Its murder this time, aud
We got to swing. Ii it wasn't for that
no person nd have got this out.of me-
But We promised, and | always keep my
word, do. You remember d young man
called Ben Wade 2"
w hat of him p we sail in q breath.
Not much-he didn' t rob your place.
that's all We done it-Dick Burcb,
Slippery Tom and me. Tel! you how il
was. lou know that boy informed On
US, and was locked up for HARD labor
for more years than most men live.
dIdn t stay though | cut off and came
home. And the FIRST thing [ did was to
vow vengeanca on that boy. Why, there
he was gay young buck. In fine toys.
with the handling OF money and thought
OF and trusted; just for having done for
US. Proud to0-wouldn' t speak to Us in
the street, Threatened TO give infornla-
ton II he ever saw one Of Us prowling
about. L heard it all. | swore L 4 fix him:
| aud 1t seemed 20 come to me.
''One night [ was agoin to Slapp. RS
Shades to have a drink. Burch was v III
t me; and II 4 quiet sort OF street we Ca ne
up 10 Ben, II mighty hurry.
Il have knocked him on the head,
but i5urch stopped ne.
See what he up to, said he. And
we followed. He went down to your
pace, and went IN. He lel1 the door
ajar, and we made the best oi' it. lie vas
coming out with a beck or something, in
his hand, and we met him. He vas
plucky, | tell you. One of US wouldn't
have got oil 80 easy: but we went two t,
one. We gagged aud tied him,and made
a clean sweep OF the place thai night