Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-08
Dundresry and the Murderer. "

Hour.
When Sothern last resided in the
Grammercy Park Hotel, he was visited
by a young Scotch friend, trifle mex
perienced but naturally canny, who
came all the way from Edinburgh to
spend winter with the comedian in
New York. The porter of the hotel was
dark brigandish-looking fellow, OF a
good deal OF dramatic ability and no
little sympathy, for consideration with
any humorous experiment OF Sothern's.
After carefully arranging details with
this humble artist, SotheIn one evening
called the attention Of the young Scot to
the fellows gloomy and fOrbidding APP
pearance. "If we're you, said SOthern,
aid lose no chance OF concilisting that
man. never meet him on the stairs
without giving him half dollar" can
why?H inquired the Scot. swell, said
Sothern, "his would be most remark
able case anywhere else than in America.
The fellows q murderer" - murder
err" gasped the Scotchman. ado you
mean he's committed the actual crime of
MURDER more than THAI" persisted
Sothern. 81 mean TO say he has been
tried, convicted, and sentenced to death
that, a. matter OF fact, he is
under sentence of death at the pre-
sent moment" Before the Scotchman
sufficiently recovered TO ask another
question, the porter came in with scut-
tie of coal. "Ahw cried Sothern.
"Jonesl This gentleman is astonished
to hear that YOU are-yell, it's no use
inineing matters-uuder sentence OF
death" "Of course | am, growled the
porter. "EOr numbering your step
father. wasn't it," eyes" said the
porter With scowl. at was my step.
father this last time" You're out on
bail while YOUR counsel is waiting 10 be-
officially informed that the Court of
Appeals has decided against you, aren't
vou?" "Yes, sir" Quoth the porter,
MIR. Judson's nv bail" Then, mon,'
inquired the Scot, in tones OF trepida
ton, Eye anteceepate beisg executed in
IA ality?' "0f course do" said the
porter, with delicious semblsnce OF
contempt. Deed an aid ma wait
for that event." said the SGotchman,
his ewes wide open. "Id gle theem a
the slip, mon. Ie're too conscientious
a tnegltner. w nat tue SoOu
wrowled the porter, I'm sure to be
hung sooner or later, and I've made up
my mind. It's all right. I'll be on
hand as sOsn as I'm notified, sure"
And he vanished. The Scotchman dis
coursed two hours upon the eXtraordi-
nary system of legal procedure existing
in America. and then he went TO bed.
Earlp the next morning, he knocked
at SOthern's door, his hat on his head
aud his carpet bag in his hand.
"Look here, Ned" he cried as soon
As be say Sothern. cave been think
ing a deal about that por-r.rter the
night. Iwonder il a curious logical in
terrence has occurred to YOU as it has
TO me-"
Fire away" said Sothern from under
the blankets.
"Weel," argued the Scot, "that mon
being under saintence OF death already.
is beyond the deterrent influence OF
any other legal penalty"
81 suppose so"
Conscious as he is that his days are
numbered, he is obveeously without the
domain of moral argument of statutory
proheebition."
''0f course"
Then" said Scot warmly, there's
no influence moral, legal, or otherwise
to prevent this fellow from getting up
in tn middle o the night and Knocking
me on the head wi an axe. They Gamma
hang him twice even in Americe, and