The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
The Executionaof CampI.
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"Campi Campi!" The governor calls
his name aloud twice before he hears 1t.
At last he awakens, sits up on his cot, and
rubs his eyes. "YOur appeal has been
dismissed and your application for par
don refused" says the governor. "Now,
my lad, be brave" Campi turns deathly
pale. After minute or so he tries to collect
his thoughts and goes down on his knees
on the bed. But nervous spasm conyulses
his limbs; his breathing becomes labored,
the sweat pOurs from his CHASTITY face in
streams. Another minute-Campi grinds
his teeth to stop their chattering, takes his
seat again on the mattress to pull on his
socks, dresses himself partially, and slides
of the bed to the floor.
The worst is over. A few minutes more
and he masters himself completely. Water
| il gwen him and he washes his pallid face.
Everybody leaves the cell except the priest,
who tries to console him. Campi kneels
and listens attentively, but suddenly inter-
rupts him.
"What O'Clock is it,"
Half-past H."
| Campi glances at the grated window,
and sees that it is day; his eyes fill with
tears. "Well," he says, ~ am ready"
He rises to his feet at bound. Two turn
KEYS advance TO take hold OF him. lie
waves them away with n threatening geS-
ture. They think he will resist. BAIL
quesne whispers a few words to quiet
| him, and his features relax, but he still
remains on the defensive. Il can walk
alOne-I am not afraid" A sudden idea
strikes him. "Any newspapcr man herel"
he asks, and his face assumes a frIghtful
scowl as he examines the bystanders. III a
newspaper man had been pointed out to
him he would have sprung at his throat.
They sOothe him by telling him NO" and
he is led to the Office to hear the sentence
read. The chaplain. who walks at his side,
continues his celebrations and gives him
dissolution.
He is quiet now, and the priest asks him
il he is thirsty.
He says Yes" and drinks about half a
glasSful Of white wine.
"YOur hands, says the eXccutiuner's
assistant, and Campi holds them up to be
bound. mot so tight" he eXclaims, "you
hurt me-
The chief of police tells him there is a
magistrate in readiness in case he has any
statement to make. Magistrate :" replies
| Campi, with loud laugh. "Oh, Ia, Ia I"
AT this moment the overcoa: gwen to
him by eX-Chief-oi-Police Mace. which he
wore at the trial, was thrown over his
shoulder. He roSe--the " toilet of the
guill0tine" was over. "Nevol mind gong
with me to the scafiold," said Campi to the
priest. at will only grieve you" Then
he crossed the yestibule, with firm tread,
his head thrown back defantIy. Beside
him walked the priest. All at once he
stopped and turned to ask, "Where is the
executioner?" Deibler was pointed out
and he looked at him with smile OF min
gled pity AID disdain. The prison doors
were thrown open, and the command of
the officer OF dragons rang ont on the
clear air like the sound OF trumpet
"Draw sabres!"
Camp walked steadily on, but the head
sinking on his left shoulder. the conyulsiye
twitching OF his mouth and his eyes, of
which only the whites were visible, be-
traycd the anguish OF his heart. His last
attempt at brayado was when he caught
sight OF the guillotlne. sis that all ?" he
said. kiss me, my son." replied the
priest. "If you WISH" faltered Campi,
and the man OF God folded him I'm hls
arms. Taking him from that sacred en-
brace, the exccutioner's assistant flung
him on the plank. rst.,t
10 was exactly quarter TO 5. Three
seconds later Campi's head was lying In
the basket. Monsieur Deibler's operation
had been rapid and successful.