The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-09-07
VOL. III.

bed and down here at this hour; and the
first thing that meets my eye is that entry
in regard to those condemned criminals.
have done my part Of the work, but how
do l know this reprieve has gone to York ?
It should have gone il the usual routine Of
the Office, but do not know it as fact.
Really, | begin to think this nights bus
mess means something. At all events, I'll
60 to the house Of the chief clerk, and set
my mind at rest"
He hurried away. His steps were now
quicker, and he was thoroughly absorbed
in the matter. Rousing up the chief clerk,
he was informed by this person that the
respite had been sent to the chief clerk Of
the Crown Papers, whose business it was
to forward it to York.
"But have you his receipt AMI certificate
that it is gomez inquired the Under-sec-
retary.
"No."
"Then let US 20 at once to his house, in
Chancery Lane, and see about it."
| They started off. The morning was now
advancing, and the Under Secretary began
to feel that there must certainly be some
thing wrong. Keeping his thoughts to
himself he devoted himself to Fastening
his companion. Reaching thehouse Of the
chief clerk Of the Crown Papers, they found
him in the act of stepping into his phaeton
for the country holiday
"Did you send the reprieve to the coin
ers at York ?" demanded the Under-Sec-
retary, almost breathlessly.
The clerk turned pale, and replied:
"Great Heaven! can it be possible? I
have forgotten it, and left it locked up in
my deskW
The excitement created on all parties
by this revelation was very great.
"This is terrible p cried the Under.Sec-
retary. Nothing but q feet express can
save the lives of these men,"
II hope that it may be ordered, said
the chief clerk of the Crown Papers
"You have my authority for it. See that
the respite is sent off without the delay ofI
an instant"
Thus instructed, the chief clerk drove
away in his phaeton.
"Taken altogether" said the Under-Sec-
retary to his companion, as they moved
away, "this affair is most mysterious and
impressive. If the lives of these men are
saved, it will be through the means of
dream, which forced me from my bed last
night to the Home Office, where my att n
ton was arrested by the entry in my mem
orandum-book in regard to this reprieYe
| will relate all the circumstances to Tou, /
and from this hour I shall believe in the
influence of Dreams"
The sequel may be soon told. prepara-
tIons for the execution Of the criminals |
were made, and, rs aa expected reprieve
did not arrive, it was announced to them
that hour Of death was at hand By this
time the reprieve was On its way BY express.
The time was short and the slightest /
delay or accident would prevent the dis /
tance being overcome before the execu,
ton, The criminals were led from the
prison, and were now In the act Of mount
ing the cart which was to convey them to
the scene Of the last act
At this moment the express arrived, and
the cry went up
"A rcprieve-a repriever y
When the singular facts in the case be-
came publicly known, they caused most
profound impression throughout the whole
and led to such Investigations
that the men had their sentence commuted
to Imprisonment for life.