The Hillsborough recorder., 1877-01-17
DIAzs ROMANTIC ESCAPE. \
"A Presiden, ,cho soas once Sentenced %
Je Hung.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

UAz was pris0uef I'D Dis hanus, hne
Maximiliaa mgas we'll hope to win bin
over 10 bis cause. as. sccording 10 the mar
tisl law proclaimed half year before, bis
life was forfeited already. aud commuta.
tion to perpetual imprisonment would be 81
be had . right to expect in return for The
clemency be himself bad shown to prison.
ers Of var now and then. As the price Of
bis influence In favor Of the imperial Gov,
ernment, was instructed to offer him Ii.
berty on parole, pension of 10, 200 pe.
setas lS2. .200., aud If he would accept Il Q
Colonelcy 10 the imperial Mexicsn army.
or else the Governorship of'Zacatecas. Dia,
promptly refused No. he would not no.
cept even liberty on parole. aud warned u.
that be would consider any means Of escape
as fair under the circumstances. Baza,ns
then proposed to put him through the form,
of court martial. and sentence him to be
hanged. asa preliminary measure to make
him realize his situation. fhs sentence
was then TO be forwarded to the Emperor
for approval, with the knowledge VI Diaz.
and the ovsrtures for compromise to BE-
renewed with such an argument In favor u
their acceptance. The military court pro.
ceed.d according to instructions. aud. 10 be
consistent we decided to offer him the con-
soia,ions of padre (nonk or priest. as is
customary before the inhction Of capital
punishment. To make this offer was sent
to the Qsartel de San Francisco. an old
eonveut. doing duty rs an arsenal and nil
liisry prison now. Diaz was walking his
room. with his arms cntwined in the folds
Of bis old cabote. aud stopped short at my
entrance 10 listen To Bszaine's message
With mock gravity. But when was dune
be looked at me with peculiar twinkle Of
bis black eyes, and rubbed bis hands to-
gether. as though delighted st something.
'por Dios. que compassionate Dear me.
how kind he said. You want 10 hang
me unly. aud get Ay soul taken care Of. q.
alma de ua tr:sfe hereie. the soul Of poor
heretical creaturcl 1 really do NOT know
how 10 accept 50 much kindness. No. tell
lis ExceIlency the Marecbal be added. In
somewhat altered voice, that decline
even this last proposition. He cannot ger
me nearer heaven than the rope Of bis gal
lows will take me. I'm too far gone in
wickedness. appreciate his iutsution on.
y as IN excellent joke.
Pardon me, then. Senior, | FASTENED %
say. we were not acquainted with your pc
culiar tenets. and did not intend to mock
you Il would b. Infamous, under the cii-
cumstsnces.
DiaE changed bis tone at once. That's
all right, SIR be aid. taking hold Of my
hand but you know. suppose. yoa are
going 10 kill me. and II man sees his cad
near at hand be is naturally religiously dis
posed. aud to my mind there are not two
IDEAS more distinct than God and the Mex
lean Church.
The Emperor was notified Of all this. but
before he esuld take further steps the pri.
soner made bis escape. the ipodus opersndi
of which i as pretty piece Of romance II
real life as have often heard Of. The
Primste Of The Mexican Church at the time
vas the notorious Layasteda. Archbishop
aud Rxcelleocy. who bad watched the signs
Of the times with the eyes Of . lynn. aud
thought the opportunity favorable 10 make
a move 10 The interest Of religion Diaz
hated him. 70 be sure but did he not bate
tbe French mores lie had directed al his
energy against them for the last Two years.
and was now IN their power. about to lose
bis lie. OF believed 50, anyway. How, il
the Church saved bis life. and made CON-
mon cause wilh him against the enemies Of
the republic2 The ruin Of MaximilliaB was
only question Of ii,ns to the sharp eyes Of
the priest i would perhaps involve blood
shed and expenses 70 declare against him
openly right now. but IL the influence Of
Disz could bo bought at that price ]. would
not be too high. Ons afternoon the Arch.
bishop had long eonelave with the Father
zologs. man ofia6aite discretion and A.
bilily. and toward dusk the padre picked
bis sag through solitary alleys 70 the sx-
convent Of San Francisco. the scenc Of bis
vigis aud intr,gass Coz many year of the
good old time.
Bazaine's prisoner was permitted piece
o. talIow candle that might shorten hisl long
nighis w half sn hour or 80. and after see-
ing its las, fickeribg die sway Dlaz had
sunk into bis wooden chair 70 watch the
CLOS Of the departed day that s,ill strange
y fingered on ihs snow peaks Of the dis.
ten. Sierra. whom he heard eautious step
approaching bic chair aud low soics pro.
nource biz name. 'Diaz amkyo,'
'Qaien. Who the d. Dias spoke on, ;
but . hsnd ssizsd bis arm. 'Ilashl 7e roy
q Sdicori' 4 come 10 save teu
ID vas ,he psdre zplogs. lie came IN
che uame o. Christ. be said. Would Disz
consent 70 serve the Lord and hiz church.
Or. ifho preferred. % least pledge himself
aos 10 prosecute them bencesersbg II he
wcald pSomiss taat sIl might he sell Jet
MsximiIlisn would al; the Lord had de-
cidsd sesinst him already; sbs country
wculd be free. snd he. Dias. sksald regain
bIs liberty This very night. bot Il must be
on tie ccpdiliOps named.