The daily gazette., 1875-09-30
do dread what's coming, swfully. l
wish il was Over.n

room all day long, what do you say
to taking walk around to Pende-
grast's and trying some of his fresh
lager?"
| Well, l don't carer" said the
sheriff, taking his hat; II believe that
glass or two of lager would do me
| good" ..
The yo were soon on the street and
pointed for Pcndegrast's. Arriving
thereto, Charlie was gratified at finding
the place quiet and deserted. Seating
themselves at the remotest table they
leisurely enjoyed couple of glasses of
lagos, which improved the sheriff's
spirits wonderfully.
"Sheriff," SAID Charley, after little,
81 have got peculiar request to ask
of you. have always been friend
to you, and if you comply with what
/ am about to ask, will be still
greater one. Iwish you to fix the cord
with which you hang Harold Vincent
so that he shall break it when the trap
falls"
"Why, Charley, you are crazy ?"
said the Official. "Do you wish to
lpcolong your friends sufferings p
Why do you wish the rope to breakf
Do you contemplate a rescue?"
''It will not prolong his sufferings,"
replied Lawrence, coolly. "The rope
must be weakened so much by some
means that very trifiing resistance
Twill break it. Allow Harold Vincent
TO fall to the ground once, and then
tyou can select Il perfect rope to hang
your victim effectually. | promise
iyou that there will be no attempt made
at rescue in the courtyard. There Is
no disturbance meditated whatever.
My request is singular one, but
will explain my motive after the ex-
3ecution takes place. Your compliance
can in no way damage you-ropes fire..
quently break, you know. Promise
me faithfully that you will do what |
have asked you, and you shall receive
FIVE hundred dollars on the evening of
the day of execution"
Il The sheriff wavered. 1.-The request
make is a singular one," he said;
! but, as You say, the fact of the ropes
6 breaking cannot damage me. am
! lawfully pushed for money"
You have simply to weaken the
Irope and allow Harold to descend to
= the ground interrupted Lawrence,
= land five hundred dollars will be your
= reward-tive hundred dollars paid you
= promptly when all is over"
"rll do it. Here is my hand.
solemnly promise to do what you wish
|, me to, said the sheriff.
! every WELL" answered Lawrence.
= "Where will the gallows be erected;
+, do you know yet ?"
Near the southeast corner of the
lcourt yard-same place where Dunkirk
- was hung fifteen years ago. We will put
: !, it up there this time, but somewhat
nearer the fence, so as to obstruct the
!, lyiew from the vacant house of Near
! ldle's. That's the only chance for a
n sight.
. @Just so, mrscd Charley. "Well,
+. | must be going-I have an engage
n lment." And directing the landlord
/. to replenish the sheriff's glass he went
q out.
~ When Harold Vincent was enligh-
y tened by Charley as to what was to be
% q, tempted in his behalf he was thun-
A derstruck.
4 "Your plan will fail at the last, l
i fear, he SAID mournfully. Frightening
,t up after little, however he continued,
- 'but do wrong to encourage you my
a brave friend. Depend upon it that at
-, the critical moment shall not be slow
~ to act. For the sake of those who are
~ near and dear to me, rather than for
= nv own, hope that the plan may sue
v ceed.
y, The two dread weeks intervening
:, az between the day on which the doomed
"a "a man had received his sentence, and
~ ~ the time appointed for his execution
y nassed rapidly away. The morning
A Of the 25th dawned clear and bright
=, but on the hearts of hundreds in th'
- peaceful town of Lay dark clouds
~ of sorrow at Harold Nincent's dreadful
oI situation The soon-to.be exccutet
ha sentence of death was the subject of con
av versation at every breakfast table, anS
W. sad faced people gathered in knots ol
~ the streets tc discuss the awful seem
about to transpire.
ne Aside from the newspaper men of tn
In place. the town officials and a special
appointed police force. few were admit
ted within the court yard enclosure. A
oh preeisely half-past ten Harold NinceI
was led to the scaffold.
rel He ascended the steps briskly, an
ols took his place on the trap, where h
r;T arms were pinioned and his collar III
IL bottoned and thrown back to facihta'
ls the cruel work OF the moose that dal
hat touching prayer, bade the doomed ma
farewell, and stepped back. Had
to anything to say? ay?"--nothing, exec
that he was innocent. The Sheriff ne
obt yously affixed the moose and drew Il
+ awful cap over tho shapely head of I
!. -, condemned. Then there was rattli
ica, Ii of bolts, a suppressed exclamation
ulq horror, and Harold Vincent shot like
sh bullet out of sight in the earth benea
TO the scaffold. 80
The crowd stood transdxed with 1
nds tonishment. Not word was utter
for more than minute-everybody /
HIS cepting the Sheriff, who had FAINT
,naI stood watching the mysterious hole
,s~s ,a the ground, not larger than one ma
.ays body, through which Vincent had diss
'ays peared. Then, suddenly there was
'or- clamor of voices and great activ
'en- amongst the crowd.
rold Bring shovels-the prisoner has I
It it len into q caye-he must be dug out. y
luty "SAovels were brought aud gigorou
ndis used. and the workmen soon found