Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-09-26

lessened, she will perish; nothing
can save him. You had better
prepare your mind for the worst"
To which her reply was: "To-
morrow night he will be with me,
his innocence proclaimed"
"Will she kill herself :" they
asked each other.
The fatal day came. How
bright, how beautiful the morning
was! Earth never seemed more
regal. The birds sang, the sun
spread his luminous mantle over
the green fields, the flowers gave
their sweet and subtle oders TO
the breeze. Forth from the cell
window looked the man who was
condemned to die. He was still
calm, still serene, thinking with
wonder over his last interview
with Jenny. How could she smile
when he held her to his bursting
heart for the last time! How
could she leave him with that
unclouded face? Well, Heaven
was kind if it spared her one pang.
Then he looked at himself, held
his strong right arm, corded with
sinews, struck his feet boldly
against the flags as he walked and
murmured:
"Young, healthy, strong-Oh,
my God, what fate !" Tears and
groans convulsed him-prayer
calmed him.
The hour drew near. All the
preliminaries were gone through
with. Some superhuman strength
was surely given him. The jailer
gaZed at him with awe and dashed
away tear after tear.
"How is it, Harry she asked,
when he could command his voice.
"Well, well," replied the young
man, with slow, prolonged utter
ance. "My poor Jenny-see to
her." his lip trembled. The jailer
took his hand with almost a
crushing pressure.
"Pll do it, Henry Islington y
he said; "I'll do it. My own
daughter shan't have more care"
THANK you I am ready"
He stood there in the bold sun
light-his face lofty, beaming with
a strange light. They were adjust
ing the rope when orders were
given to suspend the execution
to lead the condemned man back to
bis cell. There was great shout
ing. Henry Islington looked
about him like a man lost to the
things of this world. He was not
prepared for life.
"God be thanked, boy" said the
jailer, as he crushed his hand again
he could hardly speak-"there's
a chance of your acquittal, after
all-more than a chance"
"Tell Jenny!" cried Henry, as
he fell fainting in the jailer's arms.
Only that morning had a good
ship arrived from sea, after six
months voyage. The first thing
that the sailor calls for if he is a
good industrious man, is the news
paper.
Jack Bunce was second mate Of
the Neptune. 1t was eleven
o'clock before he had q chance at
the daily paper, and there he read
a summary of the trial, department
of the prisoner up to nine o'clock,
etc. No sooner bad his eye
gathered in the most important
testimony, than he sprang in to the
cabin like one mad.
"Hold, Jack! What are You
rummaging about ~ asked the first
officer.
"Don't say word to me. captain,
for Heavens sake" cried Jack
they're hanging an innocent man."
And out he dashed again, having
donned longshore hat and coat.
Up to the mayors ran Jack, out
of breath, gasping, choking, as he
cried:
"I'm Jack Bunce, second mate
of the Neptune-just got in
You're hanging the wrong man
he's as innocent as q baby. I'll
prove it."
And while Jack told his story
the messengers were sent to re-
mand Henry Islington to Jail.
Shall l tell you in Jacks own
wordsi
"Jim Burgess was ALWAYS crazy