Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-12-03

one, out Will explain my motive AT
ter the execution takes place. your
compliance can in no way damage you
ropes frequently break you know.
Promise me faithfully that you will do
what I have asked for. and you shall
receive $500 ON the evening of the day
of execution,
The Sheriff wavered. "The request
you make is O singular one," he said
breaking cannot damage me. I am
awfully pushed for money"
"You have simply to weaken the
rope and allow Harold to descend to
the ground" interrupted Lawrence.
land five hundred dollars will be
your reward-five hundred dollars
paid you promptly when all is over"
III do it. Here's my hand I
solemnly promise to do what you wish,
said the Sheriff.
very WELL" said Lawrence, .sWhere
will the gallows be erected !? do you
know yet ?"
"Hear the northeast corner of the
court-yard-same place where Dun
kirk was hung fifteen years ago. We
will put it up there this time. but
somewhat nearer the fence, so as to
obstruct the view from the roof of that
vacant house of McArdle's. That's
the only chance for sight"
"Just so, unused Charley. "Well, I
must be going, I have An engagement"
And directing the landlord to replen-
lsh the Sheriffs glass he went out.
When Harold Vincent was enligh-
tened by Charley as to what was to be
attempted in his behalf he was thun-
derstruck.
"Your plan will fail at the last, I
fear" he said, mournfully. Bright
continued, "but I do wrong to dis
courage you, my brave friend. De.
pend upon it, that at the critical mo-
ment shall not be slow to act. For
the sake of those near and dear to me,
rather than for my own, 7 hope the
plan may succeed"
The two dread weeks intervening be-
tween the day on which the doomed
! man had received his sentence and the
time appointed for his execution pass
| ed rapidly away. The morning Of the
25th dawued clear and bright, but on
the hearts of hundreds in the peaceful
town of l. lay dark clouds of sor-
row at Harold Vincent's dreadful stu
alton. The soon-to-be executed sem
tence of death was the subject of con-
versation ct every breakfast table, and
sad-faced people gathered in knots on
the streets to discuss the awful scene
about to transpire.
Aside from the newspaper men of
the place, the town officials, and
specially appointed police force, few
were admitted within the court yard
enclosure. At half past 10 Harold
Vincent was led to the scaffold.
He assembled the steps briskly and
took his place on the trap, where his
arms were pinioned and his collar un-
buttoned and thrown back to facilitate
the cruel work of the moose that dan,
gled above him. The minister made
touching prayer, babe the doomed
man farewell, and stepped back. He'd
tatfssf is was innocent The Sheriff
nervously affixed the moose and drew
the awful cap over the shapely head of
the condemned. Then there was q
rafting of bolts. suppressed exola-
nation of horror, and Harold Vincent
shot Ike bullet out of sight in the
earth beneath the scaffold.
amazement. Not word was uttered
for more than minute everybody ex-
cepting the Sheriff, who had tainted,
the ground, not larger than a mans
body, through which Vincent had dis
appeared. Then, suddenly, there was
n cIamor of voices and great activity
among the police.
Bring shovels-the prisoner has
fallen into a cave-he must be dug
out"
Shovels were brought and vigorously
used, and the wOrkmen soon found
newly-opened subterranean passage
which they tremulously followed for
quite distance. aud emerged into the
cellar of "McArdle's vacant house.
There they found lamp burning, and,
scattered on the ground, "black cap"
some pieces OF rope, among which was
a hangman's moose and a couple of
slovels. But they didn't find the
prisoner-no, the gallows had been
cheated of it's victim.
Search was made for Vincent, but
without success. As there was no re-
ward offered for his recapture. and the
popular feeling being on his side, there
was hut little danger of his being re-
turu-d to confinement.
A month passed away, and dying
man confessed to have been the muir
derer of Pollock. And then Harold
Vincent returned, and the names of
the authors of the escape were di
vulged, and Charley Lawrence and
Jack Hobby were the lions of the hour.
Shortly after there was double wed
ding, and Harold married gentle Mary
Hobby, and Charley Lawrence became
blessed in the matrimonial possession
of Nellie Vincent. Jack Hobby, of
course, was present. and said to Har-
old after the knot was tied: Hope
you won't regret the step, old fellow;
remember there is no tunnsling a man
out of matrImony |"
The Sheriff was also present, and
laughlngiy asked Charley Lawr ence if
ue hadn't better bribe the minister to
weaken the matrimonial knot? The
affair passed off happily; and may the
parties live long TO tell their children's
children, how they "Cheated the gal
lows"