The Van Buren press., 1875-09-28


man
II swear he don't want for pluck
Nibbs," said Jake.
Not mueh,' was the reply Of Nibbs
Now said Jake, "what would yut
like for breakfast this morning? If ther,
is anything you'd like, and it kin be go
in BoggsvlIlc. you re bound to have it
and no extra charge" Jake's voice
trembed as he asked the question.
There was evidently u soft spot some
where in Jake's heart. This slight evi
dence OF kindly feeling touched Frank
deeply, and brought him nearer than any
thing that occurred that day, to break
down his resolve to meet his fate with
out visible sign of emotion.
am ae,y much obliged to you, Mr.
Grimsley," said he
"Oh, pshaw!'' said Mr. G. "Wc ain
in this lrsbit of putin on frills here. Ynf
might call mo Jake.
swell, Jake, l thankEou very mucl
indeed out anything will do Pens, ink
and paper are what want most | have
writing enough before me to occupy the
| resi- 0l-Of-rnF time.
"You shall hev tAem.' said'Jake, "bur
must give up in to the little breakfast ar
ransement The old woman kinder in
sists upon it, and she's got to hev hel
own way"
"Very well. Tell her am very CRATE
ful for her kindness. and leave it all te
her.
Frank washed and dressed himself
quickly, Jake brought him pens, ink
and paper, and he went to werk at once
to write to his mother and Ellen. Ellen
and him we're to be married after his re
turn in the fall. Jake's wife, comely
kindly looking woman brought him al
excellent breakfast. II thought" said
she. "you mightn't care to 60 into the
public room this morning, so l brought
you bite here"
."You are very kind, Mrs. Grimslcy,
said Frank, "and l thank you from the
bottom of my heart
Don't mention it," said she, taini
nothia'; | only wish 1t was better. You
hain't got SO many breakfasts to eat now
that you can afford to eat a poor one
I'm sorry for your trenble-indeed
am
Thank you-thank you!'
q told Jake to try and stop this thing
bnt he says it s more than his life is worth
to attempt it. told them they were 4
pack oftools says: He amt no horse
thief, he amt so bad as appearances is
agin him Cant | tell it when | see
him ?'
God bless you for sanr good opin
ion, Mrs l Gtnsley :, \, vent iiEsrrset wisiE. r,
1ao2 I Ih.,a ~ "Sen.ursd into tnss,-,, ,',I Ta,r
paoas W. a. " dubiously: SO you -rri
W. i,Isss -, Jet, Ben 2 ~
have ios,o, not exactly | replied. ver,..a
they're dctesad. rather absenliy, tfand
the amt very psehem .. 4lsy hang
the right man or ~, that snty're bounJ
TO make an efample.' i9"
"lsLnposc you can do nothing to STOP
this misera bic business. But you can dc
me last ia, oy by taking charge Of some
letters and papers shall leave with you
and seeing that they are forwarded to the
proper address.
"Pll do it." she said. And the kind
hearted woman left the room with hel
apron 10 her eyes.
Frank did but scant honor TO the more
solid portions of Mrs. Grimsley's excel
lent breakfast, but he cmptied the coffec
pot He wrote to his partner, giving in
structons as to the disposal Of his por
ton of the profits of their venture, and
regarding the general arrangement Of his
affairs He made his will, leaving every
thing he possessed to his mother ant
Mary
When he had finished writing and paid
his hotel bill, he placed his letters, pa
pers and money in Mrs Gamsley's hands
A posse of Visilants arrived and inform
ed him that it was "close on to twelve
o'clock. and every thing WAS ready
Frank rose at their summons, but felt sc
dizzy that he resumed his seat, Grims
ley asked him, in a whisper, il he woul(
like little brandy He answered "Yes ;
When the brandy was brought, however
he declined to drink it, 1t seemed to hin
cowardly to borrow fictitious strength
He determined to die with an uncloudet
intellect, in the full possession of his fac
ulties.
The feeling of weakness was only mo
mentary. AS there seemed no way o
avoiding his fate. he brsced himself up t.
meet it calmly and couragegusly, HI
shook hands with Mrs. Grimsley, thank
ed her for her kindness, and bade he
goodbye The good soul cried like {
child.
Frank was then conducted to an oper
space, kind of common, where was al
ready collected almost every man, wo
man and child in Boggsville, The branct
of a dead tree furnished gallows A
rope hung ominously from the limb un
der which stood cart to serve for plat
form The Vigilants to the number @
twenty, formed a circle round the gal
lows. Outside the circle stood the spec
tatsrs Frank was taken inside the cir
Gle, ard marched slowly around it to Civ,
everybody an opportunity Of viewing
him closely He was then led to the car
under the dead cottonwOod.
He asked if there was doctor pres
cnt
,V.r amt s;ck air varS' askel Tam