Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-09-18
CHEATING THE eALIows.
: Is there no hope, Charley !? {" Z

poor brothers behalf, and unless his
escape can be effected. and the chances,
you know are very faint, he will have
to-"
Don't, Charley, don't say that fear
full word. o, Godl My poor, poor,
innocent brotheriaaa 4i q : .sGan
BE calm, Nellie. Desparing words
cannot help the matter. Your brother
is yet alive, and two weeks will elapse
before this sentence will be carried
into effect. You know have done all
that lay in my power, to save him-I
shall do more. Promise me to be calm
till you see me again. You can do
this through hope. and God on our
side, that hope may not be in vain"
"Why-what are you going to do,
Charley? Is there the faintest glim-
mer of hope? Tell me, quickly" 's'
Jack Hobby and myself have
thought Of desperate plan by which
we may save poor Harold. To one
chance ofsucceeeding, there are grim
dozen against.
Still, If it fails, it will not be for the
want of earnest. persevering effort on
our parts. Harold is as innocent as
you or /. The wooden headed jury
who pronounced him guilty would
be his murderers. We shall try and
cheat the gallows at the last moment.
Until see you again, Nellie, pray that
ourventure may succeed" "is sae -
How fervently / shall do as you
wish. There is another Door heart,
Lesides my mothers, that is terribly
anguished, L suppose. Poor, dear
Mary, how she loves Harold. Have
you seen her lately?" 81, ia edt
Yes: | saw her last evening, re-
piled Charley. She is very pale and
down hearted, but has an unwavering
faith in Harold's innocence, 1 believe
she would die If he were to be h..
Well, good bye, Nellie; keep up a
stout heart, girl" "4a3 ~,
Brave Charley No friend had ever
worked harder for the salvation Of an
other than had he for Harold Vincent.
Ever since the fatal day Harold had
been arrested on the charge of mur-
dering George Pollock, he had been
near him uttering words of comfort or
earnestly working for his acquittal.
And now that the sentence of death
had been pronounced, and the dread
day of. execution appointed, he had
set on foot brave scheme through
which his friend mightescape his igno-
minious fate. It was an almost forlorn
hope, but when Charley Lawrence and
Jack Hobby put their heads together
they were power at any time, but
since friends life was at stake they
would undoubtedly work wonders.
Harold Vincent was deemed guilty
by the law of the murder of George
Pollock. The evidence was purely
circumstantial. The murdered man
and the condemned had been rivals in
love. Pollock was found dead in a
suburban grove with three knife
wounds in his breast. At his side was
found a button which corresponded
with those of a coat of Harolds.
There was button missing from Har-
old's coat! The prisoner had been
seen in the. vicinity of the murder on
the evening it must have occurred.
That was all there was of it. The
prisoner, when charged with the crime,
had scornfully denied the charge, and
all during his trial had conducted him
self in q manner that lefta very fsvor-
able impression ON the minds of the
spectators. He had never for once
betrayed the slightest evidence of
guilt, and while the awful sentence
was being pronounced upon him kept
his blue eyes on the judges, and at its
conclusion bowed gracefully. and was
led away. He saw he was at the mercy
of a train of fatal circumstances, and
knew that nothing would save him but
executive clemency. When that was
denied him, he exclaimed :s"God help
my poor mother, Nellie, and darling
MaryI and commenced preparations
for the last scene.
When Charlie left the presence of
Nellie, after the interview narrated in
the beginning of the chapter. he
sought his friend Jack Hobby. He
found him at his hotel, and together
they repaired to his room.
" | have been accommodating in the
rear of the vacant house, Charley,
said Jack in an undertone.
well, what success?"
I'VE can obtain an easy entrance
,thrO' back-window." - -~-,
Good! No time must be wasted.
If you will attend to the matter of
tools and lantern. / will sound the
sheriff this afternoon. The under
taking is a desperate one, Jack, but
perseverance may give us success. God
grant that it may be so"
Have you intimated our scheme to
Harold yet?" asked Jack.
Charley replied. Il thought it
would not be best to do until | had in
terviewed the sheriff. A great deal
depends upon him, you know. Should
| succeed in managing him as wish |
shall then tell Harold what | mean
doing for him."
Here the two friends shook hands
warmly and departed. Fl
Charley immediately set out on his
search for the sheriff. This individual
was an easy going fellow. always pecu-
niarily embarrassed, and always ready
to take drink when an opportunity
offered. Ever since sentence was pro-
nounced upon Harold Vincent, and it
became plain that it would soon be his
painful duty to place the moose about
an old friends neck and spring the
gallows trap, he had been very much
depressed, and had kept his room al
most continually. Thither Charlie
went and was admitted by the unhap-
py official himself.
Good afternoon. sheriff, said Law
renee. ..You don't seem to be yourself
of late. What's the matter; approach
ting duties trouble you, hey ?'hF -s-.a--
"Well, to tell the truth" said the
official, Il do dread what's coming
awfuily. I wish it was over.
-Ts"Well," replied Charley, 1t won't
help you any to sit around in a close
room all day, what d we you say to tax
ing walk around to Peudergrast's and
trying some of his fresh lager2
Well, l don mind, said the sheriff,
taking his hat; II believe a glass or
two Of lager would do me good"
The two we're soon on the street and
pointed for Pendergrast's. Arriving
there Charley was gratified at finding
the place quite deserted. Seating
themselves at the remotest table they
leisureIy enjoyed a couple of glasses of
lager, which improved the sheriff s
spirits wonderfully.
Sheriff, +" said Charlie, after little,
Il have got, "a peculiar request to make
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