The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-14

man. hope you win have quiet night, -
Mr.. Twettle walked out feeling that he
had done what duty demanded, and he was
not sorry to get away sooner than he ex-
pected. He would have been quite happy
if he could have suddenly become day
older, SO that he might have done with the
troubles ONE formality Of attending Dadso
to the gallows. "A regular brute, = he SOL
iloquized. as he walked across the prison
yard; ssbut they're all like that; good words
yre wasted on them" .l
Meanwhile, Martin Dadso had risen from
is chair, stretched himself, yaWned and
prepared for bed. The heat Of the fire had
made him drowsy. As no was undressing,
the old 'un asked whether he would take q
glass of stout, and on his giving an afirma-
tive reply, rang for another warder to fetch
this beverage. By the doctors merciful or
ders, a dose Of bromide of potassium had
been put into the bed to quiet the doomed
mans nerves and induce sleep. The re-.
suit was that soon after Dadso had laid his
head on his pillow he sank into deep,
peaceful slumber, from which he only
awoke at seven in the morning. -t.-.7 -
It was broad day light then, for the sea
son was spring, and golden rays Of sunshine
were beaming into the cell Dadso sat up
abruptly in bed. rubbing his eyes and OK
claimed: Well, has t. reprieve coom?"
Not yet" replied the young warder
gloomily.
It'll come by-and-b by no doubt, remark
ed the old un, whose object it now was to
keep the prisoner as calm as possible
"Ptsh! baby nonsence this is" grumbled
Dadso, slipping out Of bed. What o'clock,
list? Am Ito have any breakfast"
"Oh, yes, and it's ready; cook has done
yer nice rump steak" said the old 'un,
and he pulled the bell twice. In very few
minutes third warder appeared with we'll
served tray, bearing steak. tea, toast and
some other things. This mans hand
was novice and had never before been
mixed up with an execution. The old 'un
had seen dozen men hanged.
Martin Dadso leisurely washed his face and
hands, then partially dressed himself, and
sat down in his shirt sleeves. He did full
justice to the viands set before him, though
preoccupled expression was now settling
on his features. Twice he glanced up to
scan the countenances of the warders, and
preceiving that they eyed him curiously,
and were speeches., he became more pen
sive.
"Look'ee here, old 'un," he exclaimed at
last, rapping the handle of the fork on the
table, II mean to sleep at whoam tonight
that's plain, amt it? If my reprieve
doant COON in an hour I shall telegraph
| the queen" @4
"Now, eat your breakfast like good
man, and don't get excited" expostulated
the old'un. ''Would you like little bran
dy?" =a, .a-
"No brandy for me; this stuff is strong
enough answered Dadso, emptying his
second cup of tea. "Hullo, there are steps
in the passage; - what's that?'
1t was now a quarter to eight and the
gloomy procession which escorts murder
or to the scaffold had arrived at the cell
door. There was the governor, the sheriff
! of the county "a fat squire horribly pale),
the chaplain, in his surplice, the hangman,
and four warders; but no reporters. Cap
tain Brisby, the governor, opined that the
accounts of executions given in newspapers
tended to demoralize the masses, and SO he
forbade the access of his prison to repre-
sentatives of the press, not only when there
were executions but at all other times
which was simpler and more convenient
kept from the knowledge of q too sensitive
public.
Captain Brisby, wearing black clothe'
and gloves, walked into the condemned
cell, hat in hand, and muttered few words
which were ipaudible. Martin, who hat
4 turned crimson, then white, took up his
coat without word, threw it over his arm.
and stalked out of the cell, facing the gov.
ernor who retreated backwards. At THU
moment the Rev. Mr.. Twettle, who held {
prayer book, struck up in dry sing-song
Il am the resurrection and the life. HI
that be]ieveth in Me y ~
''Zur," interrupted the prisoner, in :
choking voice, "ha'nt zee got my reprieve?
I'm sorry to say no reprieve has COM
for you, ., answered the governor politely.
! San and who's that chap?" He po;nte,
with shaky finger to sulking, gray
whiskered man in black, who was fngerin
some straps. That's Jack Ketch, I spose
Well, look ZEE gem'men' I'm not going to b
hung innocent, SO tell ZEE III send mes
sage to t queen
! Really that would be OF no use, demur
red the governor, gently. The secretar
Of state has already pronounced on you
case.
aI'll write to Mr. Gladstone, then. and
house of commons. Yer can't hang mo-
when nobody saw i'm commit murder.
gave Pullen q thrashing wi my sts-that'
all, and I've been three months in goal TO
it-that's enough. Now I want to g
WhOam."
my heart was hot within nae, and Will
was thus musing the fire kindled
continued the chaplain, reading from hi
. book in his wearisome voice.
"Shut up there for moment, parson,
cried Dadso, impatiently; then he tire
down his coat, set his back against wal
folded his arms, and said between hi
, teeth, Il amt a goin' to be hung-that
plain"
The governor and the pale sheriff locke
at each other in CONSERVATION. This W.
the first time that criminal had ever r.
fused to be hanged quietly; and Capital