Morning journal and courier., 1880-10-27
Hanged
Because He Could not Answer Three Questions,

Questions. The following is an extract from a speech delivered at political meeting the other day: My friends I had Q dream the other night. which I sincerely hope may never come true. was walking along the street at late hour one night, and in great hurry to get home, when couple of detectives stepped up to me- and each grasping one of my arms they hand cuffed me and took me to the police head quarters, without much as telling me the why and wherefore. You may judge of the horror of my situation and my terror when on the following day was accused of com mitting an nunprovoked and premeditated mur- der. could not clear myself at the prelim- mary examination, and when my trial came of such a volume of circumstantial evedince was brought forward against me that I was convicted and sentenced to death Until I was arrested and accused I had never even heard of tie crime or the victim had been away from home and alone on the night of the murder and could not prove an alibi. number of witnesses swore positively to having seen me ln company with the man a short time before he was killed-stabbed with a knife, which was found near him, and on the handle were engraved initials correspond ing to my own. Well, the day of execution arrived was led to the scaffold, and after addressing my friends for the last time, was about to don the ''black cap," when a very peculiar man, in the garb of apriest, came out of the crowd and obtained permission to say parting word of consolation to me. His face made deep and lasting impression on me. had never seen him before.
 Leaning over me he asked in a low tone, 'tDo you know me John ?"
 His voice had a deep cavernous, or I should say sepulchral sound, and there was such suffocating, ,sulpherous odor of the hot breath I felt upon my face that, almost petrified with increased teror, just managed to stam- mer out "No mo-"
 "I am the devil, he said, bending nearer and dropping his voice to a whisper. T know you are innocent of the crime for which you are about to die; but cannot save you un- less you can answer three questions that now shall ask you If you do so, I promise that you shall go scot free"
 I eagerly demanded to be put to the test, and he commenced.
 ssWhat was the world made for?" said he.
 ''It was made for man," I answerd without any hesitation.
 ssRight Now tell me what man was made for?"
 I thought over my Sunday school lesson, now almost forgotten, and finally repeated the answer to the fifth question in the Shorter Catechism." His Satanic Majesty, sorrowfulIy and with evident reluctance, ad- mitted that I was right again.
 ''Now '' said he, q will ask you one that has never yet been answered correctly It would have puzzled, Gdipos, of ancient fame, who answered the riddle of the Sphynx so easily. Take your time and think well, for it is your last chance, and your life de- bends upon the correctness of yonr reply.
 ''They all know it down home.'
 Well, what is the question:" gasped as Old Nick paused.
 A ghastly, diabolieal grin spread over his hypocritical features, aud gleam of triumph shot out of the corners of his piercing wicked eyes as he hissed through his clenched and fang-like teeth What are the principles of the Democratic party?'
 
 Here the speaker paused for moment and amid profound silence impressively ex- claimed 'Gentlemen, was hanged?"