The New York herald., 1878-09-12
WITH LIFE THERE'S HOPE.

HOW MICHAEL roBrN, THE CONDEMNED
SOLDIER, RECEIVED THE NEWS OF HIS
REpRIEyE FROM WASHINGTON.
$50 much moro time to make my peace with Cod"
said Michael Tobin reverentIy, he sat on the bed
of his cell in Ludlow Street JAIL He did not speak
ike a murderer, and tho gaslight that fell upon his
head through the grated door showed pair OF mild
blue eyes and face altogether gentle On the alter
noon before Deputy United States Marshais Wattles
and Jones had visited the prisoner 10 tell him OF
short reprieve ordered by the President. He was TO
have been executed on the Goth OF this month, but
now delay has been granted until October 25 As
he listened to the official communication IRON the
Assistant Attorney General at Washington to the
United States Attorney this district conveying tho
above intelligence only the fantsst ray of hope TT
up his countenance.
1t will be remembered that Tobin was convicted OF
shooting comrade In the service at West Point for
supposed INVASION Of his domestic peace But from
with u favorable endorsements by the District Attor.
ney no one, estimating all the seemed
70 doubt that % reprlsvs, ye and, perhaps eommusa'
PREPARED ANSWER.
al thoaGht shoud-that is, l thought would
the s0 HERALD ps reporter. las readyf Well with
q shrug of the shoulders, at must come come tme.'
awful doom that overshadowed him. Many time
has he death on the battlo field without quail
ing, and it seemed prepared TO meet 1t IN
its most chilling form where shame is added TO the
infction
81 can't say that / hoped ier anything. sir, be
answered sadly. "My counsel, General Foster, has
been working hard for me; and without a chance OF
reward Tor have nothing 70 give him. believe
those who are coming to my assistance are strangers
TO me- have hardly any friends here; they are all
in Leavenworth, where lived before the war. Per.
haps they don't know what has happened 10 mo.
lved Isavcnworsh when It was baby town, as you
..Did you hope for q Communication Of your
tence2"
In response 70 the inquiry. He seemed not to care
for lite and answered IN mechanical way:-"l'm
sure don't know anything about it. Pm pretty
Old man to TO this-over nt.y-hvc-and though
may look younger YET I've horne a heap OF trouble
trouble" he added, soemny. 'that is only known
20 myself and God"
Then he told the story OF mis- domestic unhappi-
ness and nis crime much tho same as It was related
ut his trial before Judge Benedicti never meant 10
XIII him IN the quarters, said he; "but II iound
him IN my house again did not know what should
do. Why, when l told him that knew Of his inti-
macy with my wife and warned him TO keep away, he
dId not oven say he was sorry. did not speak OF
the matter to my wife, because she had tongue that
feared more than u revolver. That morning when l
killed him did not know what was doing my brain
Iobin said his wife had been to see han in the
prison, but she came because she heard he had
said me- ior The first time be,ray ing ot,on; .but
forgive her-yes, have quite forgiven hsr"
TIE PRIDE OF A SOLDIER
Gu walls OF the cell the writer noticed Tobn's
military outfit, and mentioned the fact TO him
Ah yes" sa,d he. -, shan need "% the Them any any
citizen = dress he wore well, WE'LL lor i've years
back I've been looking forward to pension to make
my old age little lighter. but my prospects are very
different n0w.'
Ever since ne was dismissed in disgrace from The
army what little spirit Tobin possessed has disap-
peured. For twenty-five years he in the service,
and all reports he failed to do his duty II
was only when the conversation turned this drsc
tion that he gave way TO much feeling 1t was easy
10 see wheso his Ps,de was crushed the NEST
In other parts OF his cell hung Scrtptursl mottoos,
and the prisoner said clergyman came 70 see him al
most every day. He SPOKE we'll OF his treatment ny
IbsrtisA In their torn Warden Watson and the
keepers sstd that fobn was very we'll bShavsd and
gave them trouble.
AS the writer left he expressed tho hope that the
sentence Of death would be commutod eve shall
sec, said Totn, with 1eebio attempt at cheeriul-
ness "But don't say anything to hurt me-I've been
much and the prisoner closed the iron
of h,cc calI