Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-10-20
Of late. What's the matter; approach.

ing duties trouble you, hey?"
"Well, to tell the TRUTH" said the
official, 81 do dread what's coming
awfully. wish it was over"
"Well," replied Charley. fsit won't
help you any to sit around in a close
room all day, what dye say to taking a
walk around to Pendegrast's and trying
some of his fresh lager?'
"Well, 1 don't mind" said the sheriff,
taking his hat; al believe glass or two
would do me good"
The two were soon on the street and
pointed for Pendegrast's. Arriving
there, Charley was gratified at finding
the place quite deserted. Seating them
selves at the remotest table they leisurely
enjoyed a couple of glasses of lager,
which improved the sheriff7s spirits
wonderfully.
| "Sheriff," said Charley, after little,
81 have got a peculiar request to make
of you. I have always been friend to
you, and if you comply with what / am
about to ask, will be still greater one.
l wish you to fix the cord with which
you hang Harold Vincent so that he
shall break it when the trap falls"
"Why, Charley, are you crazyv' said
the official. 'Do you wish to prolong
your friends sufferings? Why do you
wish the rope to breaki Do you con-
template rescue?"
SIT will not prolong his sufferings," !"
replied Lawrence coOlly. "The rope
must be weakened so much by some
means that a very trifling resistance
will break it. Allow Harold Vincent to
fall to the ground once, and then you
can select a perfect rope and hang your
victim effectually. 1 promise you that
there will be no attempt made at res
cue in the court yard. There is no dis
turbance meditated whatever. Ny re-
quest is singular one, but will ex-
plain my motive after the execution
takes place. Your compliance can in
no way damage yOu-ropes frequently
break, you know. Promise me faith
fully that you will do what have asked
you, and you shall receive five hundred
dollars on the evening of the day of the
Execution"
The sheriff wavered. "The request
you make is singular one," he said ;
'sbut, as you say, the fact of the ropes
breaking can not damage me. l am
awfully pushed for money"
"You have simply to weaken rope
and allow Harold to descend to the
ground" interrupted Lawrence, ''and
five hundred dollars will be your re-
ward-fiye hundred dollars paid you
promptly when all is over"
"I'n do il. Here's my hand.
solemnly promise to do what you wish, "
said the sheriff.
every well," said Lawrence. "Where
will the gallOws be erected; do you
know yet?"
ssNear the northeast corner Of the
courtyard-same place where Dunkirk
was hung fifteen years ago. We will
put il up there this time, but somewhat
nearer the fence, so as to Obstruct the
view from the roof of that vacant house
of McArdle's. That's the only chance
for sight, .-
"Just so," unused Charley. "Well,
must be going-I have an engagement.
And directing the landlord to replenisf
the sheriff-s glass he went out.
When Harold vincent was enlight.
. ened by Charley as to what was to bt
attempted in his behalf, he was thunder.
struck.
"Your plan will fail at the last, fear,
. he said, mournfully. Frightening uI
after little, however, he continued
"but do wrong to discourage you, my
brave friend. Depend upon it, that al
the critical moment / shall not be slow
to act. For the sake of those near and
dear to me, rather than for my own,
. hope the plan may succeed"
The two dread weeks intervening be-
. tween the day on which the doomed
hi, a,nH fhk
, time appointed for his execution passed
rapidly away. The morning OF the 2oti
ldawned clear and bright, but on tht
hearts of hundreds in the peaceful tOwr
, Iof l. lay dark clouds of sorrow a
. Harold vincent's dreadful situation
. The soon-to-be executed sentence O
death was the subject of conversation Al
every breakfast table, and sad-faceC
, people gathered in knots on the streets
to discuss the awful scene about Il
transpire.
Aside from the newspaper men of thu
place, the town officials and specially
appointed police force, few were ad
: mitted within the courtyard inclosure
; At half-past ten Harold Vincent was lee
, to the scaffold.
, He ascended the steps briskly ant
/ took his place ON the trap, where hi
arms were piniOned and his collar un
buttoned and thrown back to facilitate
, the cruel work of the moose that danglet
, above him. The minister made touch
ling prayer, bade the doomed man fare
, we'll, and stepped back. Had he amy
, thing to say?'-nothing except that h
; was innocent. The sheriff nervously
! affixed the moose and drew the awfu
: cap over the shapely head of the con
, demned.
Then there was rattling of bolts, :
! suppressed exclamation of horror, ant
Harold Vincent shot like bullet out o
, sight i'm the earth beneath the scaffOld
The crowd stood transfixed will
amazement. Not word was uttered
t for more than a minute-everybody
: excepting the sheriff, who had tainted
| stood watching the mysterious hole il
the ground, not larger than man.
body, through which Vincent had dis
/ appeared. Then, suddenly, there wa
clamor of voices and great activit.
among the police.
3 "Bring shovels the prisoner ha
, fallen into a cave-he must be dug out y
! Shovels were brought and vigorOusl!
used, and the workmen soon found
! lnewly-opened subterranean passag'
which they tremulously followed TO
p quite distance, and emerged into tn
!, cellar of "McArdle's vacant house.
There they found lamp burning, an.
scattered on the ground, "black cap,
o some pieces of rope, among which was
hangman's moose and couple OF shoveis
9 But they didn't find the prisoper-no
: the gailows had been cheated Of II
Fl victim.
! Search was made for vincent, ou
o without success. As there was no re
+ ward offered for his capture, and Tn
popular feeling was on his SIDE, ther
q was but little danger of his being re
turned to confinement.
Il A month passed away and a dyin
!, man confessed to having been the mur