The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-18
LORD OECIL'S CONVERT.
How He Won the Man Who Threat
ened to Chop His Head OFF.
Ehroalh.fhn Nam YorI. Ip-nrIH

Frontfhe New York World.
ASHTON, r. l., June lathe death by
drowning of Lord Adelbert Percy Cecil,
evangelist, had a peculiar interest for
William Skinner, who now lives here.
Skinner and his lordship were once compan-
ions-in-arms and companions in the Lord, !"
As regards the first named degree of com
partnership, that was merely technical,
Skinner being but corporal in the Queens
Royal Rifles and Lord Cecil being
an officer in the same regiment. They were
serving in Canada together and became bet
ter acquainted by getting the grip" This,
among the soldiers OF the regular armv that
garrIsoned Canada at that time, me mt get.
ting religion. Skinner was a pretty hard
case, and had been court martialed for mis-
conduct several times Being an expert as
drill instructor, the sentence of re auction
TO the ranks was twice remitted, but on the
last trial Lord Cecil was his accuser, and,
being convicted, the sentence was allowed
TO stand.
A few months previous to this Lord Cecil
had become an exceedingly Jealous christian.
Skinner was absent one Sunday from divine
services when the roll was called, and his
lordship wanted him sentenced to DEATH
The captain of the company thought re-
primand would be sufficient and Skinner
that the eye of Lord Cecil was upon the
corporal. One night mis- lordship was re-
turning TO the citadel of Quebec from a
meeting Of ''grippers," when he came
across Skinner in state of intoxication.
The man was drunk enough to be defiant
and Indifferent to consequences.
Report yourself as prisoner when you
reach the chain gate" said the noble lord
of the rifles.
"Hullo, Head-chopperl that your was
the insubordinate answer of the non-com-
missioned officer. The term "head-chopper''
was a nickname applied to Cecil By num-
Der of men in the regiment, among whom
he was known as descendant of that Cecil
who figured prominently in the tragedy of
Mary Stuart's execution.
81 shall put an additional charge against
YOU" said Cecil.
"You will, cha Well, I'll give you few
more to clap in the defaulter's book, you
miserable, canting hound. You wanted me
| sentenced to death, didn't you, for not
attending your blasted prayer meetings!
Lord Cecil, your hour has come. l propose
| to ayenge right here the murder of Mary,
Queen of Scots, whom your ancestor
brought to the block"
Skinner did not mean anything of the
kind. What he intended was to give
| "Head-choppern a great fright. But his
lordship presumed that his murder was in
| tended, especially when Skinner snatched
! the officers sword from its scabbard and
| babe him kneel down in the snow.
| II had nothing to do with Mary Stuart,
man." he said.
mo matter; your ancestor had, and il is
| high time that that outrage was avenged.
| Take off your stock" "A leather necktie
that all sol1iers wore at that time1
| Cecil, VINO was but mite in the grasp of
the burly corporal, gave himself up for lost
and requested time for prayer.
| You'll have to pray according to the
ritual OF the established church of Eng
| land" said Skinner VINO knew that Cecil
| had gone into Methodism of peculiar type,
and was opposed to the national church.
| II will pray according to my conscience, y
he replied.
not let the martyred Mary die in the faitn
she loved. Your vlllainous bishop of Peter
| boro took care of that, and now you must
| have dose of the same medicine Repeat
the creed Of the Church of England and
| bend your neck"
| Just then the tramp, tramp Of return
| inG night picket was heard ascending the
citadel nill AID Skinner interrupted IN his
! fun fed. AS on as the picket came up
| l. )rd Cecil said an attempt had been made
| to muder him, and that che assassin had es-
capped across the glaciS. Skinner was
brought to trial, and although it was made
! clear that be had no intention to kill his SUI
perior officer, the court trying him had
am idea that such practical jokes
were not to be practiced with
impuuity. They found him guilty,
sentenced him to lose his stripes and be
confined in the military prison for five
years. 1t was while undergoing this SEN
tence that he cultivated Lord Cecirs &C.
quaintance under more favorable auspices
His lordship was on duty as one Of the of.
fetal visitors to the prison, and seeing
Skinner very SICK he went TO him and had
him excused from the back-breakiug pan
isament of lifting heavy shot from one
place and pilIng them in another. The two
mon began to know each other better aud
in a short time Skinner got the grip.
| Although he was instrumental in getting
| Skinner into prison Cecil took moro act,
! i've part in getting him out, and whel the
Duke of Cambridge had commanded re-
mission of the balance of the sentence Cecil
and Skinner became religious chums, 50 TO
speak. They both preached to tae men and
| both were looked upon as nuisances in tbs
regiment, which was nota praying one.
| IL WAS while pursuing his course of piety
that Skinner got into his second scrape, and,
| strange to say, this time his offense was be-