Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-10
THE EXEMPLARY mw. NIX
A sketch Picked Up Abroad.


opened wide eyes and ears as heard this
fragment OF conversation. At the moment
was standing on the threshold of cell. But
such cell! 1t looked more like a boarding
house parlOr. The windows we're barred. it is
true; the walls were whitewashed and the lock
OF the door was ponderous; but on the floor
there was soft carpet and against the walls
were arranged chairs and ottomans.
In the middle OF the room, some of them
seated. some standing, dozen ladies. in visit
Ing costume. formed circle round gentleman
The latter was in correct evening dress-ybite
cambria tie, swallow tailed coat. white kid
gloves. ard boots that reflected one like pol
ished shield
That's the assassin" whispered the detective
VINO was showing me round (ten dollars a day.
meals not included)
could not restrain a movement of surprise
ITS James Dux." he continued taking no
notice. hes under sentence OF death
In the mOnOtOnouS voice of a professional
guide ne went on to- tell me the story OF the man
who was the focus of so much attention.
"a criminal of the highest class. this Dux
He began in an intelligent way by only attack
ing respectable people worth ten thousand dol
lars or so -Four times he has cheated the gal
lows The first time he bought off the witnesses
the secopd time he bought off the Jury: the third
time he did business direct with the judge But
fatal accident was his ruin. The naper he
FOUND on banker he assassnated turned ont
TO De counterfeit: James had killed confrere
by mistake. Not being able to get together
money enough to make his Innocence clear, he
was found guilty. He was going TO be sent
eloft. when a comrade starting in tSade offered
TO buy the fraudulent bank notes at a sacrifice
He said he calculated he could pass them on his
customers out west With the sum thus real
lied James was able to persuade the governor
of the state to take disInterested view of his
case. and he was let off
But Dux never got over the turn it gave
him. lie became kinder stupd-lost his head
He took TO rObbing the first that came i'm his
ROAD One evening in an out-Of-the-Way sub
ur0. he Knocked out the brains of an old man
Win sledge- hammer for the sake of a mser-
able watch of no value
Taught in the act by young policeman
VINO Thought he had chance of distinguishing
himself. James was brought up at the AssiZeS
ior the NTH time The evidence was over
whel1ning. the defense weak the Jury indiffer-
ent While the dozen in the box were trying
whisky cocktails. Judge Blackstone rose in
the middle of a cloud of cgar-smoke aud pro-
nounced sentence of DEATH giving the poor
fellow only three months leisure to read the
Bible in. His time is up this afternoon
And that is the prisoner" exclaimed. ''the
man i'm the dress-clOthes:-
Yes. that's Dux," he answered. Hes con-
Terted. YOU know. AT present he is great
object of interest Our richest ladies pay
all his expenses. The best families come round
regular to comfort him. He is going to die
Beautifully. we expect. You'll see that James
will make a truly sanctifed end"
Meantime the assassin, reconducting one of
MS 'ady visitors TO the door. passed quite close
70 me. and L had the opportunity of taking
his likeness in nv mental camera
He was a lOw-siZed. thck-set iIl-but man.
with face blOtched with whisky pimples a low
1orehead, cold eye. and the limbs of long
armed ape What sinister and grOtesoue carl
cafure this bestia wretch was tricked out in
the garb OF good society. his big bony toes maxi
ing humps on the patent leather of his dandy
pumps. and his close-cropped hair glistening
with some perfume. which could not kill the
1etld odor that eXuded from his vulgar BODY
lady advanced toward the assassin and pre-
eented him with an immense white boquet-the
symbol of purity of soul. But as she tried to
murmur a few appropriate words emotion over
came her and she swooned
The condemned feiOn had taken the flowers
with careless air. shifted them. and jerked
Them over his shoulder TO corner of the room
where 4 perceived mass of fragrance and
bloom thrown in huddled heaps like so much
refuse.
The poor creatures are nervous. do you
mind. said James compassionatey. They
Should take a horn of gin before risking them
selves here
ALLOW me to Introduce to YOU nv only
daughter. Miss Blackstone said gentleman
OF a judicial bearing, busting forward to make
way Tor lovely young girl, who leaned on his
arm.
The murderer bowed
The young lady courtesed
The Judge did his best to initiate one and the
other that is to say as far as his cor.,lIence
would permit him.
Papa has spoken often about YOU said the
pretty girl. with shipper. Il ap really sorry
you cannot dine with Us tomorrow"
'.lts out of the question. Miss and I deepy
regret il. said Dux with a coarse LAUGH
The young lady blushed and lowered her
eyes.
Unless. You know. your father would con-
sent TO revise his judgment" continued the
5elon.
'.Ah. James" said the Judge with blending
OF formality and the cold ainiabity of the bench:
III Is. as you say. out of the question Busi-
Ness is business. you know" and bending
toward DuX, he whispered. it would be as
much a. M. appointments worth to do anything
Ut present.
1T must be a terrible thing. Mr. Dux. to be
hanged" interrupts d the young girl
A moments pain, more or less. Miss Black
stone: short moment-dO you hear" said the
judge. 1t s the death would prefer for my
self"
swell. that's as how it is" insinuated Mr.
Dux- Il dare say it's sweet enough if tie trap
works proper and the sheriff is experienced. By
The bye. Judge, would you kindly take care that
The ropeis comfortably soaked?'
willingly. my friend Any favor can Grant
you under the circumstances YOU are at liberty
TO ask
Mr. Blackstone left with his daughter. The
latter turned back several times in the hope to
catch a parting glance of the assassin.
following morning she forwarded IA basket of
magnificent flowers to the condemned cell
More posies cried DuX. when he saw them
''These women folks are fools. There's ONLY one
IN the lot-my gal Jane-who knows the i-ht
stuhto give citizen OF the great United States
TO help him To die. She sent me gallon OF old
Bourbon"
By this time crowd Of new arrivals had
Invaded the cell. which had been transformed
into an audience chamber. 1t was a deputation
OF prominent citizens. who requested To be re-
ceived by the lion of the day.
The orator of the crowd made three Dacas
Toward the condemned man. and exhibiting a
handsome case in morocco and gold he deliy-
cred the following DISCOURSE with much dig
nifty and feeling:
dear Mr.. Dux. permit the inhabitants of
Huuanityvile at large, and, conjOned with
them, the members of the jury. the sheriff and
different persons who assisted at your trial as
well a. the prison officials, also the members of
The police force who took part in your capture
10 oHer you, through me a. medium. this feeble
Testimony OF the esteem with which you have
inspired Us all; not only by your calm resigna-
tion and the attitude in every respect worthy