New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-04
PREPARING FOR DEATH.

passed bad night; his sleep feveriSh and
troubled. and his haggard face and weary eyes
! showed plainly how severely he had suffered. lie
dressed with his usual care, but when his toilet was
finished did not seem inclined to leave his cell lie
was longer and if possible. earnest at his de-
vOtIons than usual. and was not inclined TO talk.
At o'clock Father Aniclarus, cf st. Anthony's
! Church came in. and was warmly welcomed by the
prisoner They had conversation, during which
they were joined BY Father Duranquet. Al 7:30
! Balbo the two Fathers Deputy Warden Finley and
| Deputy Sheriffs NiastcrSon and O'Buen walked ont
from the prison through tho courtyard TO the little
chapel in tho upper part of the womens prison.
where mass was said by Father Duranquet. After
the mass the sacrament given to Balbo by
| Father ArIclatus.
| While these services were in progress, Warden
| Finn bad several assistants at work clearing out
! the prisoners cell. They made an examination to
see if there was anything concealed with which
Ba5o could commit suicide; but nothing was
| found. Then such articles he viii need during
! the two days lie has to live were transferred
! from No >. his old cell, TO No. :, which he now
| occupies. This is always done with condemned
men two three days before the hanging, 10 pre-
vent all possibility of the prisoners using knife
! or other instrument Of destruction, which ne may
! have previously hidden.
When the little party descended from the chapel
|
was kept standing for few minutes in the court
yard; he admired the fountain ard the flowers and
wished 10 cSress the sparrows and pigeons that are
always 1yiug and hopping about in the prison yard
! Durug this interval his counsel and Father Ror-
dan entered. and BalbO ran TO greet them. lie
shook their hands warmly but he seemed to have
an impression that something was wrong, Tor he ana
not X ms usual question: " Have you any ncws|
The priests looked at La Tycr Knitting if wait
ing for him 20 tell the sad news; but he had not the
courage. and simply SAID, chceriully Well
Balbo, how do you feel tbs mOrningg First rate
| hope
! Babo looked at him earnestly, as he answered:
! Oh. YES. me feel very we'll"
"Wen.' said The lawyer, we will now soon hear
from the Governor and we get bad news-if we
hear that he has declled against you'll hone You
viii Get bravcly, bear up ike man, and don't lose
! your heart"
"Oh," said Balbo. slowly shaking his head ard
| looking directly at the lawyer: Oh, me know me
| have DO friends me have no money, ne only poor
BaIbo, bat me prepared for he worst me not afraid
| me no coward. me die like ChasMne Cox Then he
walked over to the two Deputy SheTihs at the
| hower-bcd.
| HOW BABo RECEIVED THE NEWS.
| The two priests and the lawyer conferred to-
gether and il was decided that, as Father AnIcatus
was an Italian, like Balbo, he should make the sad
| announcement TO him in his native language. The
party then reentered the prison. Father Aniclatus
| walking with Balbo. After they had passed the in
| ner door Father Aniclatus stopDed hun. and III
| kind and serious voice said: NV SON you must
know tire sad truth and know IT now. ne Governor
| has been heard from, ana lie mas ueclued against
| Won. lie sentence OF lhe law must De eAeCuleuo Oh
Bal6o's head dropped on his breast, and he whi.s;
rered IN hoarse tone "The will OF God be done!'
| Them turning quickly, he demanded: why ana
| YOU not tell me this before =
| " Because, Balbo," was the answer " we did not
know il last night until after you were asleep and
we did not wish to awaken You only to tell you TINS
| sad news. Ii could have done yOu no good"
| Bllno bowed and kissed the priests hand and
then walked rapidly to ms cell tie found empty,
and starting back cried ont eXcltedy: AN! what Is
this? What Is this I" Warden FINN explained to him
| that they had changed COXs cell before ms death,
! and they always did in such cases. BalboS ewes
qlared as he excitedly said: ION, II is all right.
| What do care2 See this il the condemned row.
See these are all murderero cells. All that have
these cells are to be hanged. What DO l care
whether am in No. or No. 7F he was quoted
arranging the crosses. cruciixeS, candles and PIC
lures on his altar Mr.. kntz'ng spoke to
let b't"' me alone. Me fix my altar; me fix
NV own altar let me alone" Father Aniclatus
| told him in Italian not to talk for few minutes,
but he almost screeched out: . Me no keep quiet
me viii talk me have the right to talk. Me will
| talk Me Will fix my own altar The Italian was
| evidently for the moment beside himself Father
Anicatus motoned TO the lawyer to leave the cell,
a hint which Mr.. Knitting was only too glad to
obey. ttle later TIE priest sad " come now
| my SON. sir down and have some breakfast"
| " No no. responded BalbO, as he continued ar
ranging his altar - the things OF God first; the
| things Of this world after"
"Balbo.1 said the clergyman, "come and say
Your thanksgiving after having received the Holy
! Sacrament"
crs side engaged in his devotOns. As lie arose, be
said impressVely, with his hand on his heart,
| MAY the Will Of God be dOne!" After an hour he
was prepared again to receive visitors. Several
Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Charity
| for Xvhj he
| The detective who arrested Balbo and brought hlm
10 the city also came in and was warmly welcomed.
against INN. and asked him TO come to his funeral.
| Il will" said the officer; Il Will come to your
| funeral and viii 90 TO your grave with you, and
| would take a carriage to go to your grave if it
| took the last dollar had III the world"
GIVING HIS FINAL DIRECTIONS.
When most of the visitors had gone Balbo, Father
| Aniclatus. Mr. Knitting and The TRIBUNE reporter
went into Baibo's cell. "Now, Balbo," said the
LAWYER tell Father Aniclatus and me all you wish
done after your death; where you wish to be
buried; what we shall do with your things, and
| everything You would like: mn
ALWAYS addresses his COUNSEL, IF me had only had
YOU the first place me wOud not hang, Dnt Judge
| Glldersleeye lac give me a evil lawyer and not
criminal lawyer, or me no hang. 900 bless YOU
| and he attempted to kiss the lawyers hand,
| "Never mind that, Babo," the lawyer quickly re-
sponded - that IS all past. Death Is right before
! Won; think only of the future. Now tell us what
| You would like TO have done
After moment Balbo stretched himself up to his
full height and pattng himself on the breast. said
| am a man ] am not "a coward; am ready and
anxious to die II is only for a few minutes and all
is over and the disgrace is not so bad as living all
| ones life III the State Prison. would IKE to Send
! NV blessing to my wifes father and mother would
| like to ask their forgiveness, but they are away
| somewhere i'm the country and cannot be found
| Then i'm n lower tone and with dOwncast eyes: =
would like to be laid by the side OF my dear wife.
| pray that God may bless her."
" All this that can be done shall be done'' SAID
| Mr.. Kintzing. $50 ,..., .. r.