The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-01

racks. The scene is sharply impressed ON
my mind. A palisade Of two sides Of A
square, made OF wooden planks, ran round
the quadrangle. Behind this palsade and
pressed up close against IL was q mob OF
men and women--the people OF the town
come TO see the execution. But their
faces were sympathetic; an unmistakable
look OF mingled grief and rage, not un-
mixed with Disqualification they were a
downtrodden folk--shone in the hundreds
OF eyes turned toward us. | was the only
woman among the condemned. Nv uncle
wns there, and poor "Fon," looking be.
Nildered, and one or two other prisoners
On the third and fourth sides Of the quad
rangle was a high wall, and in certain
place was niche partly inclosing the
trunk OF tree, cut oil at the top. An
iron ring was driven into the trunk
midway, evidently for the purpose OF Sc
curing condemned persons for execu-
ton. ] guessed IL would be used for
that now, In the center of the square
piece OF ground stood file of soldiers,
armed with carbines, and an officer with
drawn saber. The palisadc was guarded
by n row OF soldiers somewhat sparsey dis
tributcd, certainly not more than dozen
in all. A Catholic priest in black cassock
walked beside me, and as we were con-
Quoted into the inclosurc he turned TO me
and offered religious consolation. | de-
clined his ministrations but asked him
anxiously II he knew which OF us was to
die first.
"Iou, he replied; "the oflicern charge
Of you said You desired il, and he has been
able to acccde 10 your request"
Even then ielt singular Joy at hear
ing this, though had no longer any OK.
pectation OF release. Death was, /
thought, far too near at hand for that.
just then soldier approached VIZ and led
me barc-hcaded TO the tree trunk, where
he placed me with my back against Il and
made fast my hands behind me with a
rope 10 the iron ring No bandage WIS
put over my eyes. stood thus, facing the
file OF soldiers In the middle Of the quad
rnngle, and noticed that the officer with
The drawn saber placed himself at the ex-
trcmity of the line, composed of six men.
In that supreme moment | also noticed
that their uniform was bright with steel
accountrements. Their helmets were Of
steel and their carbincs, as they raised
them and pointed them ut me, ready
cooked, glistcned In the sunlight with tho
same FURNISHED metal. There was an in-
stant's stiffness and hush while the men
took aim then ! saw the officer raise his
barred sabcr as the signal Ia fire.
II flashed In the air; then, with n sud-
denness impossible 10 convey, the whole
quadrangle blazcd with m awful light--a
light No vivid, ~ intense, ~ binding so
Undesirable, that everything was blotted
out and dcvourcd 10y IL. II crossed my
brain with instantaneous conviction that
this amazing glare was the physical effect
OF being shot, and that the bullets had
pierced my brain or heart and caused this
ifightiul sense Of all.pcrvading flame.
Vaguely | remembered having read or
having been told that such WIS the result
produced on the nervous system Of vic
tim 10 death from firearms.
at Is over" sud; Chat was the bul-
let's"
But presently there forced itself ON my
dnZcd senses u sound q confusion Of
sounds darkness succeeding the white
ilash-thcn s,cadying itself into gloomy
daylight; tumuli, heap Of stricken,
tumblcd men lying stone still before me;
fearful horror upon every living face,
and thcn-it all bunt ON mo with distinct
conviction Tho storm which had been
gathering all the morning had eliminated
IN liz blacklist and most electric point im-
mcdiatcy overhead. The file OF soldiers
appointed 90 shoot me stood exactly under
It. Sparkling with bright steel ON head
aud breast and carblncs tlry stood shout
der 10 shoulder, complete lightning con-
ductor, and nj the end OF the chain they
formed. their officer, at the critical mo-
mcni. raised his shining. naked blade TO
the sky. lnstantaneously heaven opened,