The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-04

l.
"The deputy's SOFT" he whispered to COM
panion.
The deputy heard the whistle though not
tho whisper, and his spirit rose.
"Any one who knows better than do, had
better take my place." he said.
II don't profess to know more than you DO
So sns IL years.
have learned something of the quirks and
turns Of oonviots believe that fellow cares |
man in the moon. He Is trying to curry favor
with the warden. to got communication, or get
eased mp 30 that he may out and rum"
wen see who 10 right" the deputy said.
to cut and rum"
About ten O'Clock in the forenoon, Jeffries
was called out of his shop, the lighthouse was
given him. and he was hidden go upstairs to
meet the little lady who had come out for her
present. ,,..5
A great color rushed to his paid face at this
summons, and great breath sweiled his
of seryitude and confinement, the green fields
and the wide world were before him if he
suooeeded. II he failed, speedy death would
that if he were prevented ftom going ont, or
arrested when he had once got ont the order
| for his execution would be issued Immediately
He had been warned Of that. ="
| His heart beat hard and high as he stepped
from the shop, but it sank in his bosom as he
glanced across the yard. There stood Minnie
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deputy stood beside her in an attitute that
showed plainly he was on bis guard, and the
| door was locked behind them.
| He had expected to be called into the guard
| room, or, ut least, that Minnie would have
stood in the open door. Moreover, besides
these precautions, his quick eye caught the
gleam Of scarcely covered rife-barrel ut one
| But he went up firmly, without any appear
| anoe Of disappointment, and presented his gift
to the child. smiling on her involuntarily, e7on
Iok$ hat h
Minnie took her present with delight and,
being unable to hold it, put it into the depu-
tvs hand. Then, before either Of them OWNED
her intention, she flung her arms around the
convict's neck, and gave him a loving kiss.
1t was too much. In the despair of that
moment, he cared little for the curious eyes
! arms, he burst into tears.
There n moment of silence. All were
awed by such display of emotion in such a
himself, put away the little hands that ten
DERBY strove to wipe his tears, and turned to
descend the steps. ..'
deputy was leading his chargen. Jetfres was
halfway down the stairs W hen the click of tho
lock struck his ear, and stiffened his nerves
like steel. One bound, and he was within the
door, pushing with main strength against three
men who struggled to close the lock before he
could enter. The strength of desperation was
guard-room, caught Minnie Raynor in his
arms, as . shield, while he hastily pulled out
the bar of iron suspended from his waist, aud
fumbled for the guard-key which was to I'M
lock the last door that stood between him and
liberty.
It was all the work of q minute. Tho child
olung to his breast, pale and trembling, and
hid her face in alright from the muzzles of fire
arms that sought to find him unguarded, and
holding her as his defence, ,Jetfries reached the
outward door.
An accident favored him, for it was the hour
for changing guard on the walls, and the 1e-
lieved guard coming up outside, opened the
door behind the fugitive. The surprise was to
lug the child for shield Jetfries sprapg do wn
the outer stairs. and found himself in the
opened yard of tho warden's house.
Bat the alarm-bell had been rung, and a
command shouted across the posts, and as the
| fugitive fled across the green to tho gate he
was confronted by one man, while two others
followed close on his steps. There was no help
He dropped the child from his arms, and
raised the iron bar at the same moment that
his opponent, having apparently more faith in
the strength of the stock than the accuracy of
his aim, lifted the butt-end of his rifle for o
blow.
You shall not strike him % cried Minnie
| her friend; and, at the same instant, both
, blows fell. The guard aimed falsely, but the
, convict, striking with fierce precision, would
have bit bis ~ but for that loving
temple of the prisoners dearest and only
, friend.
minnie hSynor cropped ike Hover before
the scythe Of q mower.
AL was confusion. The mother rushed
} shriekiug from the house, men came from the
street, the guard from, the prison. There was
q moment whom he might have escaped, but
Jenfries did not tske Adv9atage OF it. Throw
ing himself down by th99biid, he called upon
; her in agony, he kissed Aher paie lips, AND
CHI A1fed her chilling hands! 80 my God! MI
, God p he muttered.
; They surrounded and bound him.
I" won't try to run away, swtar wont p
! he cried wildly. Don't mind me; see to her
Go for doctor. Do something for her quickly
) o Gods o Godt Open 700 eyes, my angel !
didn't mean to hurt you. would rather stay
here all my life, or be hanged to-day, than urt
your my darling!"
They tore him away from hcr, and carried
him back to prison. There they searched lin
but found nothing but lock of slken hair in
, his breast, done up in paper.
She gave it to me-" he said piteously, but
MADE no remorstrance whom they did not re
turn it to him. ''.-
"Only see bow she is, aud tell me-" he beg.
geo.. "You know I've got to hang now, and
you know that wouldn't have hurt hair Of