Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-11-26

AL. ~ w - - " J IVA
thronged the slop-
!. ing side of a
" ~ hollow that, with
FL the exception of
natural outlet on
one side, converged to a small circu-
lar plat in the center. Upon this spot
had been erected framework of
beams, posts, braces, a platform, and
a trap-door. 1t was the gallows-
that grim monument of the majesty
OF the law. The hollow was a vast
earthern bowl; the gallows a lump of
sugar in the bottom; the crowd a
swarm of prowling ants that crawled
around the area like q pestilence.
For be it known that this was the
first execution that had ever occurred
in Kemper county.
If there is one thing more entertain
ing than q hanging per Sc it is the va
riety OF effect produced by: the ghast-
lyspectacle upon the face and man.,
ner of the assembled witnesses. The
majority were present because they
had never seen a hanging; Others went
to crafty the natural vengeance of
outraged humanity; a moiety went in
the interest OF science" hoping to
hear the swapping caused by the sun
dering OF the spinal ligament.
A pretty. dimpled, rosy lass from
the country-barefoot, and arrayed
in yellow calico dress and a white
sunbonnet, and pervaded by an odor
of fresh butter and milk, and wild
violets and innocence-staredh horror
stricken at the awful preparations.
The cheek roses fled, and refused long
er to play hide-and-seek with the
dimples, and the large blue eyes over
flowed with tears.
The cap was drawn; the loop was
adjusted.
The girl buried her face in her gaunt
old mothers bosom and gasped:
care they nearly ready?"
every nearly"
"Who is that talking?"
''The priest"
"Praying?"
eyes"
There was q pause.
"What are they doing now, mother?".
"They are tying the mans feet and
hands,"
"Do they tie his hands before or
behind?"
Neither, to his Sides"
"Oh, mother, mother!"
"What, my child?" the voice began
to quaver.
"Poor fellow! poor fellow!''
The girlsobbed pitifully. She buried
her face deeper, and chung closer to her
mothers neck.
what are they doing now, mother?"
"The Sheriff has q long, bright knife"
"What for?"
"To cut the string;"-so family
that it is whisper.
"And now, mother?"
"My-Godl my child! I don't know
II can't look-any-longer!"
There was one interesting group
among the spectators, composed OF
boys between the ages of six and nine
years. One was a negro named Tony,
seven years old, black as tar, homely
as an ape. The others were all white.
One Of these, Buck, was a chubby
boy OF Tony's age, with freckled face,
red cheeks, and white hair. These
two and five or six others were sit
ting in every imaginable posture in
dlcative of awe, interest, and fear.
Tony was dressed simply in pair OF
his fathers pantaloons cut of at the
knees. Consequently the waist band
came quite under his arms, dispensing
with the necessity OF q shirt; and the
buttons in front were connected with
those behind by short strings, which
served as suspenders. He was quite
small and weakened. Buck on the
contrary, was large and strong; his
general manner was nearly like that
belonging to the advanced years Of a
patriarch.
After the body had been placed in a
coffin, Tony staggered pompously
up to Buck, and burying his skinny.
hands deep into his vest pockets,
demanded:
.Wh what yer suckin yer thumb
Buck, ashamed, snatched the thumb.
from his mouth. Tony pursued his
advantage by rennar king, tauntingly::s
gu was skyered, toe" s5ss
wasn't t, pro tested Buck.
Yas you wus, wh-when he chopped
de stringll FL
z wasn't; but you WAS, though. Z
H-hoWl2'
Seen you.'' &
Seed me? "a 4.
Anod
wonderif 1t hurt himfn NJ
Course il did =
IS How do you know z
s, .D ZIG you see him dom , hls
ont his feet before him ~ r. :3ss
ssyV az Z ye seenSt them az like that IA
he circus. q II u