Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-01-09
MY EXECUTION,

woman. who stHtcd that she had ar
rived from Cork n few day. ago her
husband having sent The money 10 pay
her passage 10 New York, Upon her
arrival she found that he had been
killed by drunken rowdy, and as she
was pcnnilcSs she asked me for triac
10 get nights lodging.
Having been imposed upon the prcvi-
Gus day by Il tale Of tho same kind, |
passed on without needing her pitcouS
appeal .-.. ....
had walked but a few PAGES when a
feeling Of regret came over me for my
harshness, and | turned round to re-
licye her distress, but she had gone.
| stood musiug, undetermined what TO
do. felt had acted with inhumani-
ty; but it was so unlike my usual con-
duct that cousoled myself with the
reflection that ! always had been the
friend OF the ouLcast, and that very
likely tho woman was not in actual
want this The respcctability OF her at
tire led me to adopt as fact, and re-
solving to Danish the transaction from
my mind, walked hOmeward.
When reached the corner OF Wall
street man, apparently the worse for
liquor, asked nc for charity, and with
an eagerncss which evidently aston
ished him / gave him some money
l., 4. 81
though felt that had relieved the
wrong object. As | passed St, Paurs
church | saw by the clock that it want
cd Il few minutes OF my dinner hour,
and | was always so punctual that |
knew even few minutes delay would
cause the greatest anxiety to my wife
and daughters, whose affection for me
was the great comfort OF my life
Resolving to crush the haunting
feeling hailed an omnibus and jump
ed in: but a new torture now seized
me the noise OF its wheels seemed 10
echo the woman's appeal for charity
SO visibly that invohutarily looked
out Of the window TO sec that she was
not running AT It's side rcciting her
tale of sorrow and destitution.
Getting out at the corner OF Wash
iugton street, walked hastily to my
house aud paused an instant on the
steps. half resolved TO 90 on wild
goose chase in search of the mcndi-
cant. Finally pulled the bell.
When the door opened. instead Of
following my usual custom Of entering
the parlor TO greet my wife and duught-
crs, walked straight up to my dress
ing room, whore ! sat for some time
in gloomy abstraction cthcn, bathing
my head with cold water | mechanic
ally changed my dress and again
seated myself in the deepest dolce
ton.
] was aroused by my wife, who, sur
priscd by my unusual conduct, asked
tcudcrly il ! did not feel we'll
"lca' | replied; "but very tired.
] he weather tries nc. But however,
let lis go to dinner
My daughters aud niece who was on
visit came round me and piayrully
scOldcd me for being so naughty. Az
last sat down TO the table, but could
not eat mOuthruI. After several at
tcmpto TO cat requested my butler to
bring inc tho brandy dccanJcr, which
surprised them all, as ! was a strict
temperance man and merely kept wine
and liquors for such of my guests as
did not share my scruples,
When the brandy was brought |
filled a goblet nearly full OF the "liQuid
damnatiou,' as | had recently called it
in a speech | HAD made at temper
aucC meeting, aud drank il off at a
single druught This somewhat re-
licvcd me and enabled me to swallow Il
I few mouthfuls Of dinner.
My spirits somewhat returned and
we all adjourned to the drawing room.
The arrival Of some visitors Of my
wife and daughters afforded me an OPP
portunity OF leaving the room unob.
served. | put on my hat, to call upon
n friend who lived in the next street.
Not finding him at home strolled
on. The evening was fine, and before
was aware of the distance ! had
walked found myself near the North
river, Attracted 10y crowd which
| had gathered round the end OF one OF
the piers, | went towards it, and was
told by 4 policeman that poor wo-
man had just been taken out of the
water
| pressed forward aud exclaimed
aloud. on the impulse OF the moment,
when | gazcd upon the lifclcss form;
Great heaven the very woman !
treated so brutally not an hour ago"
The words we're scarcely out of my
lips when a strong hand graspod my
collar. # was the policeman who bad
just spoken TO Inc.
''Oh, the murders out them he
cried You know something of the
natter
A cry was Immediately raised that
had confessed myself the murderer
and as there was severe bruisc OF
the poor womau's head, doubtless DC
casicned by her striking against the
pier. it was exaggerated into "a frac
tured skull.
All was now clear to the excited
mob. | had at first killed my victim
with blow on the head and then, 4
conceal my crime, had thrown he
into the river In vain did protes
my innocence; they paid no more at
tcnlion TO me than had to the poo
woman herself. So strong was thu
popular feeling that the police hat
considerable difficulty in saving M
from being lynched on the spot.
Let me PISS over the details OF th,
cOrOner's inquest, which brought in ;
verdict of wilful murder. | will say
nothing about the agony OF my first in
teryiew with my family. The horror
Of nv situation was increased by tht
evident doubt my wife had OF the trutl
| of nv exclamation as to nv strange