The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-01-03


yot what he deserved, but they were
sorry for his wife. She was left with
ak Ghlldren, and it was too bad. Many
Of the good women of the neighborhood
could noC find it in their hearts to help
her, as she persisted in asserting her
husbands innocence. She chung to the
man with what these practical women
considered a nonsen5ical, romantic af-
lection, and they had no patience with
her. Others honored her for her faith
In her husband and for her affection, al
though they doubted not for moment
that Tony Hardscrabble was guilty as
charged. The wife and her boys and
girls kept close to their home, grieVing
as for husband and father dead. After
few weeks Mrs. Hardscrabble was
seen abroad, then at the county seat,
and then, wonder of wonders! this
woman, who had never been a mile
from home since her marriage, went to
the State Capital Few of the men
would undertake such a journey.
Tony's wife received the compliment of
being plucky woman. In due time
notice appeared in the county paper
that an application would be made for
the pardon of Tony IardsGrhbble. This
the people deliberately and emphatical-
" frowned upon, and comparatively few
signed the petition, although it was pre-
sented to every man in the neighbor-
hood by Mrs. H. herself.
Everybody was now talking about
TonH's wife. She was constantly 60
ing. There were hints that she or her
lawyer had found new points of evil
dence. During the year she went to the
Governor twelve times with her plea for
pardon, and was met with refusal every
time. And yet she persisted. She went
out washing, went out in butchering
time, worked even in the fields for
money, and spent it in going to and
from the State capital. People reasoned
with her and tried to convince her there
was no hope, that all this effort was
worse than useless She rarely made
any reply, except to protest that her
husband was innocent, and she would
never rest until she had proved that he
was not guilty and until she had pro-
cured his release. The old ladies pro-
nounced her crazy, but their grand
motherly old eyes were tender as they
said it, and they thought it was shame
that such man as Tony Hardscrabble
should have such fine woman for a
wife And while they praised the wife
they abused the husband.
Mrs. Hardscrabble had been to the
Governors Office eighteen times, carry
! ing each time some new atom OF evil
dence, some new suggestion from her
| lawyer, some fresh concession from the
Judge or prosecuting attorney, an adj
ditional name from the jury before
whom the case was tried. She haunted
the Governors Office and the offices of
the prison authorities. She always had
a personal interview, and aroused
sympathy even while her facts
were considered unimportant. She
went the nineteenth time with sealed
letter from the prosecuting attorney.
She was received with the old smile at
the Governors Office, but waited pa
tiently for her interview with the Gov
ernor himself, who had almost declined
to see her Her letter produced aston
ishing results. The prosecutor with
drew the charge. The real thief had
been arrested, and had submitted state
ments in regard to the theft that showed
that Tony Hardscrabble had not been
concerned. The affidavits and other
documents were inciosed with the formal
recommendation for pardon by the
Judge and prosecutor. They Joined
heartily in praise of Mrs. Hardscrabble,
and hoped the Governor, in view of the
persistent efforts of the woman, and in
view ofthe extraordinary circumstances
of the Nse, would waive all formalities,
grant an immediate pardon, and allow
the woman to take her husband home
with her.
The proof of the man S innocence was
so plain, the statements were so clear,
that the Governor hesitated not to join
in the plan to surprise the woman who
had SO worked for her husband srelease.
She was to wait moment in the audi
ence-room, and, sad and almost dis.
heartened, she waited while glad news
flew in the other room. When the Gov
ernor came to her, he held in his hand
parchment, and unbent to say:
mrs. Hardscrabble, the documents
presented to-day establish your hus
bands innocence. | thought you NIGH
like to carry the pardon to him your
self. Here it is, and | only hope he il
worthy of his wife"
The good woman's face trembled Xix,
her own baby's when about to cry. She
dropped on her knees. caught the Gov
ernor's hand and covered it with kisses
as she had often, in her loneliness, kissed
her babe. Then came an outpourlng o
thanks.
Your husband is innocent. do ny
simple duty. No thanks are due me.
But / must thank some one"
Then clutching the pardon, she flew
to the penitentiary. In less than al
hour she was dragging her dazed AMI
awe-struck husband through the CAPT
toll corridors to the Governors Office, tt
present him to that officer
Tony was overwhelmed by confic tin!
and tremendous emotions. He was free
His wife had done it. He knew chat
She had held the pardon under his eyes
and he had taken her in his arms, AM
had given her the first genuine, full
meaning kiss of his life He had Away
liked her, and had always been kind t.
her, as he understood kindness. But b.
had never known her. She pulled hin
along as though he were boy. She
who bad never been a mile from home