The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-16

man and asked hin, in his geod-natured manner,
how he felt.
II feel pretty well, thank you," Foster said, in
his usual tore.
His looks belied him. His lace bore traces OF
deep anguish; his eyes were dull. glazed; his
cheeks were hollow, ivid and his lips seemed
almost white II the gallows had already been
erected In the courtyard and he to be executed
that very hotr Foster could not have looked
worse. He tried hard to suppress his emotion and
endeavored to speak In an Indifferent tone OF
voice.
ri am very sorry that have no good news to
bring you." the sherin said, kindly.
Foster was silent for . minute or two. His eyes
were fixed upon the Shsrtn's face, and stin he did
not seem to see him. There was
MIST BEFORE HIS EYES.
II heard 1t yesterday afternoon" he said, re-
covering his consciousness with q start; ~ heard
II yesterday. but would not believe It. They got
the afternoon paper for me- and read it. and sttil
could not believe it. because l knew that II You
had received any ofncial notice you would have
come ana told1nnd t:,d~" CHS voice iailed hlm'
pause ensued. '.Wel," said the Sheriff. trying
to appear uncOncerned, although he was deeply
touched by these signs OF Fosters anguish, "as u
has gone 80 far, and as there Is no hope, you had
better prepare yourself TO meet your Maker
my situation (aiter q pause). am very much
obliged to you ior the kindness you have shown me
so far, and hope you VIII continue To liere
his voice again failed him. and he fixed his eyes ON
"6b, Of course" the sheriff replied, pressing
Fosters hand. The condemned man at drst re-
turned the pressure, but suddenly withdrew his
hand as II ne felt that the hand he was clasping
| can do for ysu let me know 1t and 1t shall be
done. Anything that It is In my power to 40 for
you shall glady do. You may rely upon that"
There was pause. Fosters lips were twtching,
and all the muscles of his face seemed TO be wsrk.
ing In powerful effort to suppress an outburst OF
despair. His lips moved as II he wanted to speak,
he took the Sherif7s hand and, oil OF sudden, he
sunk back on the bed as II he was stricken speech
"what is it you want to sayY" the sheriff asked,
ans be to
"well, there ts omething should like to ask OF
yosy~, a he SAID 4 y, family init ySner,r asked
you would do me favor. 1t is the last favor shall
ask OF any one upon this earth hope you VIII
"What is itR" the Sheriff asked again.
al wish you would have 1t done before as few
people possible, Foster rejoined, his Voice latter
ing, "that's what wanted to ask you. II it is to
take place. let it be before as few people as pos
posed to a thousand curious eyes when die"
"Oh, certainly" the Sheriff replied. "YOu know
the statute requires that should have certain
admit as few as possible"
IN SOLITUDE.
certainly" the Sheriff pursued; "and OF course
SELF Devote all your time now to this preparation,
because you VIII have soon A. to meet your fate"
but r deVste all my time to Preparing
Eyes" the sherir continued, in hopeful tone,
land If anything favorable should turn up. why,
then you won't have lost anything by it,"
Foster grasped his hand and they parted. "Come
soon again." Foster said as the Sheriff moved TO-
eyes / will try to come every day. the Sheriff
said. He lett Foster looked after him and then
Rev. Dr. Tying, Fosters spiritual adviser, was his
next visitor and was in his company for over an
hour and when he left the unfortunate culprit
was in a calmer state OF mind and more at peace
with his own fearful emotions.
two brsthers but his father. being indisposed was
not present. They were alone together in the cell
| and stayed all day in sad and arectionate com.
muni0n. What transpired Is their Own secret, and
1t does not concern the world to draw aside the
veil which concealed from its vulgar though per-
haps sympathizing gaze so sacred and deep grief
Catching AT THE STRAW"
At four O'Clock in the afternoon Sheriff Brennan
py ns son Mat.asW agsn
| ton with him. When the Sheriff returned from
the cell II, he said he found Foster much more com,
conversation with Warden johnson the Sheriff
1T is strange, but DO you know he is In better
spirits than expected to find hmf He still cings
| to the hope that something may be done for him.
pected result OF visit OF some influential friends
to the Governor believe they are going up to
Albany On Monday to intercede for him."
THE MORBID SEX.
| Warden Johnston has been kept busy BY the al
most unprecedented infux OF visitors to the prison.
and yesterday the number was unusually large
The morbid curiosity OF the gentle ~ sex is made
very apparent by the hungry desire they exhibit to
desea at the
Yesterday at one time there were no less than sew
enty.two female visitors at one time in the prison
In r1nfrn fourrf hnf
| the number being actuated by any other feeling
| than simple curiosity, One gentleman conveyed
party OF three LADIES' but this group like all Others
failed to obtain even glimpse OF the condemned
| man.
THE SUNDAY SERVICES.
Several applications were maze to Warden Bren-
| nan yesterday by citizens, male and female, for
permission to attend the Sabbath morning services
| to-day; but the requests were not complied WITH
in the absence Of permits from the Commissioners
| Of Charities and Correction. On last Sunday o
number Of ladies who had organized an impromptu
choir were permitted to attend and conducted the
| singing, and the Warden obtained nelOdeon,
| which contributed much to the effect OF the must
cal services, as the songs or praise swept through
the grim corridors OF iron and stone Foster seemed
quite pleased with this novel addition to the SER
| vout attention AS whole, the effect was good
upon all the prisoners, and 1t seems likely that
sSis 0l mgh 10 nc ~ he IN
monotony OF life to the immured guilty ones. 1t is
not known whether Foster will be present at the
regular prison service ts-day-hs last earthly Sab
bah-but 1t Is probable that he will be attended by
| Rev. DR.. Tying in private worship.
About midday yesterday despatch from Gov
ernor Dix was received by Sheriff Brennan in
| which the Chief Magistrate asked whether any
further formal order was requisite for the carry
| ing out of the sentence. Sheriff Brennan replied
! at once that no fur sher order was necessary.
THE ORDER OF RESPITE
granted q few days since was ceuched In the usual
formal language, and contained, in addition, the
| following clause:-
And William Foster Is hereby respited until Friday,
2ls OF March, 1873 then to be executed unless you
my further order.
This is the closing paragraph Of the writ and
Under Shern stevens states that In his experience
covering period of over twenty years, it is the
first time he has found decree Of respite to con-
tain this singular provisory final declaration.
THE DEATH vIG1LS
From last Friday morning until the execution
takes place the prisoner will be watched day and
night 10y the deputy sherlns, two during the day
and TWO at night. Yesterday Deputies Baird and
Galligan were on duty until seven O'Clock last