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

Is there no hope, Charley
'Alas Nellie, I fear not. The Gov
ernor has refused to interfere in You
brothers behalf. and unless his escap
can be effected, and the chances, yol
know, are very faint, he will have to
"Don't Charley, don't say that fear
full word. o Godi My poor. poor
innocent brother %
"Be calm, Nellie. Despairine word
cannot 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-I shall do more. Promise me t.
be calm till you see me again. Yor
can do this through hope, and God OF
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"
Jack Hobby and myself hsy,
thought of desperate plan by which
we may save poor Harold. To on.
chance of its succeeding. there are
grim dozen against. Still, If il fails
it will not be for the want of earnest
persevering efforts onour parts. Har
old is as innocent as you or I. The
wooden-headed jury who found hin
guilty would be his murderers. We
shall try and cheat the gallows at the
LIST moment. Until see you again
Nellie, pray that our venture may sue.
csad"
How fervently I shall do as you
wish. There is another poor heart be-
side my mothers, that is terribly an.
how she loves Harold. Have you seen
her lately ?"
Eyes, I saw her Last evening"" re.
piled Charley. She is very pale
and downhearted, but has an uup aver
ing faith in !larold's innocence. 1 be-
ii@He she would die if he were to be
h. Well, goodbye, Nellie; keep
up stout heart, girl"
Brave Charley ! No friend had ever
worked harder for the salv .tion IF 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, he had been
near him uttering words of comfort
or earnestly working for his acquittal.
Aud now that the sentence of death
nod been pronounced, aud the dread
day of execution appointed, he had
not yet lost hope. and had set on foot
a brave scheme through which his
friend might escape his ignominious
fate. It was al almost forlorn hope,
but when Charley Lawrence and Jack
Hol5y put their heads together they
We're power at any time, but since q
friends life was at stake they would
work wonders.
Harold Vincent was deemed guilty
by the law of the murder of George
Pollock. The evidence was purely
oircnm -tantial. The merdered man
and-the cond mned man had been ri
vais III love. Pollock Was found dead
Ia suburban grove with three knife
wounds in his bat. At his side was
found button which corresponded
Flth:tA2ae ST fffas aaffb 81 Hfff8maH aFo1ds
coat The prisoner had been seen in
he vicinity of the murder on the even
ng it must have occurred. That was
Ill there was of 1t. The prisoner, when
with the crime, had scornfully
denied the charge, and all during his
trial had conducted himself in manner
that left a very favorable impression
on the minds of the spectators. He
had never for once betrayed the slight
ct evidence of guilt. and while the
awful sentence was being pronounced
upon hi kept his b.us eyes on the
Judges, aud at its conclusion bowed
gracefully and was led away. He saw
he was at the mercy of train of fatal
clrcum Stances, aud knew that nothing
would save him but the executive elem
eucy. When this was denied him he
exclaimed, God help my poor moth
er, Nellie aud darling Maryi" and com
Ieacyd preparations for the last scene.
When Charley left the presence of
<aiiie, after the interview narrated in
.ne b"gjnnirg of the chapter, be sought
- friend Jack Hobby. He found him
Al Ms hotai, ana together they repaired
30 his room.
II have been reconnoIta ring in the
rear of tie vacant house, Chal ley
laid lack, i'll an unaertone.
''WeI, what SUGGEST"
eve can obtain al easy entrance
through a back window"
Good! No time must be wasted.
II v"1 vii attend to the matter of
!s.-.:@ guG n lantern, I will sound the
= .erif tin afternoon. The uudertak-
! x Z 2 de- parate one, Jack, but per-
severance may give us success. God
grant tn t il may be so!'
Have you int;Lnated our scheme to
Harold yet?' asked Jack.
No. Charlie replied; 81 thought
il woul Il not be best to do SO until I
had interviewed the Sheriff. A Areat
deal depends upon him, you know.
Should 1 succeed in managing him as
[ wish [ shall then tell Harold what I
mean doing for him.
Here the two friends shook hands
warmly and separated.
Charley Immediately set out on his
search for the Sheriff. This iudivid-
ual was an easy-going fellow, always
pecuniarily embarrassed and always
re. i : tc take a drink when an oppor-
tn ity offered Ever since sentence
VAS pro lonnced upon Harold Vincent,
ana u became plain that it would soon
b lis paiptui duty to pace the moose
about an ola friends rs OK and spring
the gAisows trap, be had been very
much d@pr. ssed. and htd kept his
room almost Continually. Thlther
Charley went. and was admitted by
The unhappy official hitnssIf.
Good Ofteruoon, Sheriff. " said Law
ret c.; "you don't seem to be yourself
Of late. What's the matter2 Ap-
preaching duties trouble you, hey?"
"Weli, to tell the TRUTH" said the
Official. II do dread what's coming
awluliy wish it was over"
WELL" replied Charley, sit won't
he you any to sit around in a close
room ali day; what dye say to taking
walk around to Pend ,grast's and
trying some of his fresh lager?"
~ L, L don't mind" said the Sher-
1T, taking his hat; ST believe glass
=. two Oh lager would do me good"
The two were soon on the street and
pointed for Pendegi ast's. Arriving
5nege Charle , was 2ratf d. at finding
tic pace quite deserted. Seating
Themselves az the remotesJ table th"j
eisrrro:g e..joyHd couple o. glasses 4
4g--, waicn improved the Sheriff r
spirits wonderful y.
she, If, " said Charley, after lit.
tie, Il have always been a friend tc
you, acd if you comply with what IN
about to ask, will be a still greater
one. L wish You to fix the cord Wi |
which you hang Harold Vincent S,
hat he shall break it wi.en The traf