The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1877-11-24
He Didn't Know II Was
Loaded.

He pulled the trigger and tn,
harmless pistol went off The CIR
fell, and there was a good deal o.
blood in her vicinity. He rushed
to her side, his eyes wild with ap.
prehension. Il did't mean to =" he
said apologetically. upon my soul
| didn't know it was loaded p
"Icannot believe it," she gasped.
Its heavens own truth |" he
said with great earnestness.
Il cannot help it," she said fee
bly,; adding with unmistakable
truth, "No matter. / shall die Just
the same"
The jury in the case was one OF
the stupid ones known all over our
beloved country. The pistol was d
harmless one. 1t could not posslbl,
have loaded itself The young man
says he didn't load it. Nobody
could tell who loaded it. Il was
only known that several persons
had killed their alleged sweethearts
under precisely the same circum
stances, with the Important excep,
ton that the loading Of the weapon
with all the attending circumstan-
ces were known to the jury. Il was
shown beyond question, however,
that the pistol had been loaded and
that the young man had fired it OF,
previously expressing Il determine
ton To do 30. II was enough for
the stupid inry,and likewise for the
Judge. The latter, indeed, see ped
to enjoy the proceedings.
ave shall inhict on Won a slight
pleasantly he said, with n broad
grin. The sentence Of the Court
is that you be hanged by the neck
until you are dead. But don't he
alarmed. 1t is only a joke
The Sheriff was equally happy.
He read the necessary documents
to the youth, as the latter stood
with his neck decorated in the usu-
al fashion pausing to laugh, and at
times nearly splitting his sides with
mirth. ave shall do
you up in prime ORDER" he said
pleasantly. 1--WE shall give you
something to enjoy to yonr dying
day. There are no brcakages to
this" and he shook the rope nerri-
ly. There are no way stations on
this route, my son. You will go
like creased lightning, not
even pausing for refreshments.
You will, perhaps, See some of your
friends on your arrival. Please SAY
4 good word for me, will you? Tell
them, if they have anything in my
liue that needs transacting, that
I'm the man for them. Let me sd-
Just this conveyance"
His hands shook SO with laugh
ter that he could hardly fix the
rope properly; bat finally the left
BAR IF the amusing person was pro-
perly adorned.
See here!" whimpered the
doomed youth. "You act AS if you
we're in earnest. You wouldn't kill
III innocent man, would you? /
think this is carrying the joke too
ar"
"By no means" said the happy
Sheriff, winklng with irresistible
lumor. "Not for anything in this
world, my son. Can You not place
III mel This is II joke.
Ire you afraid Of this scaffold and
hat little cord? Foolish boy! they |
We perfectly harmless"
He winked at u person in the |
background who was chuckiIng ST.
emily to himself, his face wreathed
With smiles The latter responded
Il lively manner, up she goes |"
nd the practical joker shot i'll the
.ir like a rocket and came down
ike stick.
Beautiful, beautiful" exclaimed
he Sheriff and the bystanders,and
great roar of laughter followed,
ven the attending clergyman put
ing his head under his arm, in ev-
dent fear that otherwise he would
,ugh himself to death. o.
The body was taken down after
while and physician, after q
light examination, pronounced the
Dung man dead-his neck had
cen broken.
"Whatl" said the Sheriff with
tart. "Dead?" He examined the
npe attentively, and quickly added,
III q look Of profound astonish-
tent. 81 see how IL Ia. Alas a.