Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-12-03
CHEATING THE GLLLOWS.
''Is there no hope, Charley ?"

! DOnt Chariey, don't say that fear
fuI word. o God - My poor. poor
innocent brother ~
| BE calm, Nellie. Despairing word
caunot help the matter. Your brothe
is yet alive, and two weeks will elaps,
| before his sentence will be carried
into effect. You know that I hav,
done all in my power SO far, to say,
him shall do more. Promise me *
be calm till you see me again. Yor
can do this through hope, and God OF
Our side, that hope may not De in vain.
~ hy-what are you going to do
Charley? Is there the faintest glim
ner of hope? Tell me, quickly"
Jack Hobby and myself hsv'
thought of desperate plan by which
we may save poor Harold. To Oh,
chance of it's succeeding. there are
grim dozen against. Still. if it fails
1T will not be for the want of earnest
perseVering efforts onour parts. Har
Old is as innocent as you or I. Th.
wooden-headed jury who found hin
guilty would be his murderers. w,
shall try ana cheat the gallows at The
L-S5 moment. Until I see you again
Nellie, pray that our venture may sue
esd"
How fervently I shall do as yor
wish. There is another poor heart be
side nv mothers, that is terribly an
/ gulshed. Isuppose. [ Poor, dear Mary
| how she loves Harold. Have you seer
| her lately %
"Yes, saw her last evening"" re
pied Charley. She is very pale
| and downhearted. but has an uuH aver
ing faith in !Iaroid's innoc-nce. 1 be-
i've she would die if ne were to be
h. Well, goodbye, Nellie; keep
up stout heart, girl"
Brave Charley No friend had ever
worked harder for the salv .tion # an
other than had he for Harold Vincent.
Ever since the fatal day Harold had
been arrested on the charge OF muir
dering George Pollock, lie had been
near him nttering words of comfort
or earnestly working for his acquittal.
Aud now that the sentence OF death
n"d been pronounced, aud the dread
day Of execution appointed, he had
not yet lost hope, and had set on foot
brave scheme through which his
friend might escape his ignominious
fa5e. It was All almost forlorn hope,
hut when Charley Llwreuca and jack
II 10y put their heads together they
were power at auy time. but since a
Trends life was at stake they would
undoubtedly work wonders.
Harojd Vincent vas deemed guilty
by the law of the murder of George
Pollock. The evidence was purely
circnm -t.ntiaI. The merdered man
aud-tfe cond mned msn had boen RI
VAS III iove. Pollock was found dead
~ : suburban grove with three knife
woun1S III his b t. at his side was
.uurd button which corresponded
With: t12se eJA}if ST aaaTGg Hff6mna Hff6mna Harold's
coat The prisoner had been seen in
the vicinity of the murder on the even
ing it must have occurred. That was
az there was of 1t. The prisoner, when
charged with the crime, had scornfully
4, MED the charge, and all during his
tfinI had conducted himself in manner
that left a very favorable impression
ou the miuds of the spectators. He
had never for once betrayed the slIgt t.
- evidence of guilt, sDd while the
awfn' sentence was being pronounced
upon hi kept his b.us eyes on the
Judges, aud at it's conclusion bowed
gracefully aud was led away. He saw
he was at the mercy of a train of fatal
crrcurl rlst.oces, aud knew that nothing
would save him but the executive elem
eucy. When this was denied him he
exclaimed. God help my poor moth
~, Nellie aud dazzling Mary!' and com
..leac, pre4saratiODs for the last scene.
Wien tiI:t,:ey left the prSseucs of
y ai'lo, st,.r the Interview narrated IN
:lr b.C5nri g IF til, chapter, he sought
.z f.4eLI Jack Hobby. H. found him
- tti, h>tni. ana together ,hey repaired
- ms 70, n.
II tive been reconno!t ring in the
r"c" Of lie vacant uouse, Chal ley,
aid .EacH. III Hn un.!er'on~.
"We.I. what success?
"p.,. can obtain a. easy entrance
through 4 back widow.
"Gooa! No time must he wasted
ff VI ~ii attend TO the matter of
a. .:~ ID y lantern, I viii scu1d the
IS, riff TIL attornoon. The uudertak-
~ / 2 Dc p5ra5e one, Jack, but per
>tysr>.lc,: may give us success. God
grllr IN t II may be so!''
III tTe You intimated our scheme to
II .ro'1 y4t?' asked Jack.
N, Charlie replied; Il thought
!. Wa 4 not be best TO 10 SO until
h.l iutervie we'd the sheriff A hreat
J
Should | succeed IN managing him as
/ wish I shall then tell Harold what
mean doing for him.
HIRE the two friends shook hand:
warmly and separated.
Charley Immediately set out on his
se4coa for the Sheriff. This individ
uai was an easygOing fellow, always
y, cunlarlly embarrassed and alway:
l.
Ia itv offered Ever sinca sentenct
5 - pr3lounced upon Harold Vincent
aug y Eecatne pialn that it would sool
b !r,s laaipr.i d1ty TO pace the moose
lnout al o'u friends H. OK and spring
tie al ows tr*p. he had been very
me L ,Dr secG, and h. d kept hi'
ro,.n uIa1o,t cJutinual!y. Thithel
| Chnr'ey went. and was admitted by
.he upnappy official hitns3tf.
! &c ),d ufgeruoJn, Sheriff. said Law
rer c.; "yorl don't seem to be yoursel
# late. What's the matter? AZ
ac'ing duties trouble you, hey?"
''!'ell, to tell the trath," said th'
/ off .lai, - DO dread what's coming
/ awlnl;y wish it was over"
! WELL" replied Charley. sit won
! he p You any to sit around in clos'
| room ali day what ye say 10 taklhs
walk around to Pend .grast's ant
trying some Of his fresh iager?"
~, i, L don't mind, said the Sher
ii, taking Lis hat; 81 believe a glas
u. two Oh Lager would do me- good"
The two were soon on the street ant
pointed for Pendegi aets. Arriving
a4e.e Char : WIS 2rat. Fl i at tn'!iui
r..o r.t"e quite deserted. Sea'''''
tuyun,-'ve5 ~ tie remote8J tab,e tn'
i =. joy"i II compile o. g'a>s,'o .
..,-'. yyslicn improved the Sheriff
=prr.ts wonderful y.
She If, " said Charley, after lit
tie, Il have always been a friend t
vou, acd if you comply with want =,
aoout t, ask, [ will be a still 81 cate
Que. [ wish You to fix the cord wi
which you hang Harold Vincent S
-'.rt he shall break 1t wen ne tr.
fails"
why, Charley, are you crazy
aid the official. DO You wish
prpioug your friends suff+rlngs
WY do you wish the rope to break
Do you contemplate d rescue ?"