The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

1t was now I:45. and the gloomy
procession which escorts a murderer
to the scaf.old had arrived at the eel
!. door There was the governor, the
sheriff of the county "a fat squire
horribly pale), the chaplain in hi.
surplice, the hangman AMI four war
ders but no reporters. Capt. Brisby,
the governor, Opined that the ac'
counts of execution given in news
papers tended to demOralize the
masses, and so he forbade the access
Of his prison to representatives of the
press, not only when there were exc.
BUTTONS, but at all other times, which
was simpler and more convenient.
Irregularities which might 90 on were
thus kept from the knowledge of a
too sensitive public.
Capt. Brisby, wearing black clothes
and gloves, walked into the condemn
ell cell. hat in hand, and muttered a
few words which were inaudible.
Martin Dadso. who had turned GRIM
son. then white. took up his coat
without Il word. threw it over his
arm and stalked out of his cell, fac
ing the governor. who retreated hack.
wards. AT this moment the Rev.
Mr.. Tweetle. who held prayer book
struck up in dry sing-song: 81
am the resurrection of the life. He
that believeth i'm me ."
'Zur," interrupted the prisoner, in
a choking voice. ''Ha'nt 'ee got my
reprieve?
I'm sorry to say no reprieve has
come for you, answered the governor
politely.
"Ah. and who's that chap?" He
pointed with shaky finger to q skulk-
ing. grey-whiskered man in black,
who was lingering some straps.
That's Jack ketch, 'spose. Well.
look'ee here gemmen. I'm not going
to be hung innocent, SO / telree. Ill
send a message to the queen"
REALLY, that would be of no use"
demurred the governor, gently. The
secretary of state has already pro-
nounced on your case
I'LL write to Muster Gladstone,
then, and t house Of commons. You
can't hang a mon when nobody saw
m commit murder. ! gave Pullen a
thrashing wi my fists-that's all and
I've been three months in Jail for it
that's enough. Now l want to 60
whoam."
MY heart was hot within me, and
while / wss thus musing the fire kind.
led" continued the chaplain, reading
from his book in his wearisome voice.
"Shut up there for a moment. par
son." cried Dadso, impatiently then
he threw down his coat, set his back
against wall, folded his arms and
said between his teeth: II amt a
goin' to be hung-that's plain"
The governor and the pale sheriff
looked at each other in CONSERVATION.
This was the first time that criminal
ever refused to he hanged quietly,
and Capt. Brisby did not know what
to do" He abhorred the idea of US
ing violence in such a contingency.
'Please believe that l am performing
a very painful duty" he said. weakly.
Then the old 'un, who had been the
prisoners companion since his sem
tence, tried an appeal to his feelings.
"Come, Mr.. Dadso, sir, be a gentle
man We none of US like such job,
but it's our duty"
Hands of, old boy" replied
Dadso. shaking off the hand which
the old man laid on his arm.
you've been good to me, and l
doan't want to hurt'ee, but l amt go
ing to be hung"
"Get him away from the wall and
then We can seize him" whispered the
hangman, siding up to the governor.
Twill you come into my Office and
write your telegram" said Capt.
Brisby, taking the hint.
"Yes, I'll COON, but no tricks, or
til be the last o 'ee," muttered
DadsO. who had noticed the hang
mans move. He left the wall and
walked a few steps across the ward
when upon a sign from the governor
the four warders in attendance (who
looked far from comfortably made q
rush to secure his arms. But Dadso
had the strength Of a giant. Plant
ing q terrific facer on the nose of the
first conner, he sent him staggering
ten PAGES with a kick in the stom-
ach he disposed of a second then
collaring the two others, he banged
their heads together twice, so hard
that they turned sick and tOttered out