Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-04
CHEATING THE GALLOWS.
; there no hone. Chnrler 2.

Us Lnere no nope, Onatley
"AIas Nellie, fear not. The governor
has refused TO interfere in your poor
| brothers behalf, and unless his escape
can be effected, and the chances, you know
/ are very faint, he viii have to"
Don't, Charley, don't say that fearful
word. o, God! My poor, poor, innocent
! brotheri"
BE calm, Nellie. Despairing words
1 cannot help the matter. Your brother is
/ vet alive, and two weeks will elapse be-
| fore this sentence will be carried into ef-
/ feet. You know 1 have done all that lay
in my power, so far, to save him-I shall
do more. Promise me To- be calm till you
see me again. You can do this through
hope, aud God on our side, that hope may
not be in vain"
"Why-what arc You going to do, Char
ley? Is there the faintest glimmer of
hope? Tell me, quickly"
Jack Hobby and myself have thought
of desperate plan by which we may save
poor Harold. TO one chance of its SUE
ceeding, there are a grim dozen against.
Still, if il fails, it will not he for the
want of earnest, perseyering effort on our
parts. Harold is as innocent as you or 1.
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, Mel
lie, pray that our venture may succeed"
'How fervently l shall do as you wish.
There Is another poor heart, besides my
mothers, that is terribly anguish:d, l
suppose. Poor, dear Mary, how she loves
Harold. Have You seen her lately?''
eyes: | saw her last evening" replied
Charley. She is very pale and down
hearted, but has an unwavering faith in
Harold's innocence, | believe she would
die if he were 20 be h. Well, goodbye,
Nellie; keep up stout heart, girl
Brave Charley! No friend had ever
worked harder for the salvation of anoth-
er than had he for Harold Vincent. Ever
since the fatal day Harold had been ar
rested on the charge of numbering George
Pollock, he had been near him uttering
words of comfort or earnestly working
for his acquittal. And now that the sem
tence of death had been pronounced, and
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 1t
was an almost fOrlOrn hope, but when
Charley Lawrence and Jack Hobby put
their heads together they were a power
at any time, but since afriend's life was
as 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 I suburban grove with three
knife wounds in his breast. At his side
was found n button which cOrresponded
with those of coat of Harold's. There
was a button missing from Harold's coat!
The prisoner had been seen in the vicini-
ty Of the murder on the evening it must
have occurred. That was all there was of
it, The prisoner, when charged with the
81. Il. IL =.
and all during his trial had conducted
himself in a manner that left very IA
vorable impression on the minds of the
spectators. lie had never for once be-
trayed the slightest evidence of guilt, and
while the awful sentence was being pro-
nounced upen him kept his blue eyes on
the judges, and ut its conclusion bowed
gracefully, and was led away. He saw
he was at the mercy of train of fatal cir
cumstances, and knew that nothing would
save him but executive Clemency. When
that was denied him, he exclaimed: "GOd
help my poor mother, Nellie, and darling
Maryl" and commenced preparations for
the last scene.
When Charlie left the presence of Mel
lie, after the Interview narrated ia the be-
ginning of the chapter, he sought his
friend Jack Hobby. He found him at his
hotel, and together they repaired to his
room.
Il have been accommodating in the rear
of the vacant house, Charley said Jack
in an undertone.
"Wells what successG'
'Wc can obtain an easy entrance. thro'
a back-window.
"Goodl No time must be wasted. If
you will attend to the matter of tools and
lantern, | will sound the sheriff this al
tcruOOn. The undertaking is a desperate
one, Jack, but perseverance may give us
success. God grant that il may be so -
''IlaVe you intim ated our scheme 10
Harold yet?'' asked Jack.
-''No," Charley replied. 81 thought il
would not be best to do until had inter
viewed the sheriff. \ great deal depends
upon him, YOU know. Should l succeed
in managing him as | wish | shall then
tell Harold what | mean doing for him.
Here the two friends shook hands warm
/ ly and departed.
Charley Immediately set eut on his
/ search for the sheriff. This individual
was an easy going fellow, always pecuni-
/ arily embarrassed, and always ready to
/ take drink when an opportunity offer
! ed. Ever since sentence was pronounced
upon Harold Vincent, and il became plain
/ that it would soon lie his painful duty to
place the moose about an old friend :
neck and spring the gallowS trap, he had
! been very mach depressed, and had kept
his room almost continually. Thither
Charlie went and was admitted by the
unhappy official himself.
Good afternoon, sheriff, said Law
renee you don't seem to be yourself
of late. What's the matter approaching
duties trouble you, hey -
''Wen, to tell the truth, said the off
cial, Il do dread what's coming awfully.
4 | wish il was over"
''Weu," replied Charley, Iii won't help
YOU any to sit around in a close room all
day, what dye YOU say to taking a walk
around 10 Peulerg-aSt'S and trying some
of his fresh lagrT:'
''Wcu, don't mind, said the sheriff,
taking his kac; believe a glass or two
OF lager would do me good.
The two were soon on the street aud
pointed Tor PcndergraSt's. Arriving
/ there Charley was gratitied at finding
the place quite deserted. Seating them
/ selves II the remotcSt table they leiSurcly
enjoyed a couple Of glasses of lager, which
| improved the SheriG's spirits wonder
/ fully.
"Sheritf,' said Charley, after little