St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-01-17
W. G. KENTZEL, Editor.

my mind that I could not shake on. A
feC hours later messenger came to me
from the prisoner, requesting an inter
view.
Iatonce repaired to the Jail.
Wallace Harper greeted me with q
pleasant smile. and held out his hand.
II am satisfied that you did all that .
human being could do. Mr.. Nelson, and
want to thank you for it. and to tell
you that IL is my wish that you do moth
ing toward securing new trial"
Icxpressed my surprise At this
1T would only postpone tho inevita-
ble." he said. Ill luck runs in our
family. I suppose WAS born to bo
huner' and tho laugh that followed
mado my flesh creep
'.But you arc innocent?" l said, .
sudden doubt coming. unbiddcn. % my
brain r.i
Il am innocent ! hope you will
never doubt that Mr.. Nelson"
A little later left him, promising
not to urge new trial was satisfied
that new trial could not be obtained.
and had only entertained the thought
to delay matters rs long as possible.
1t was two months to the 9th Of No
vember. 'Aiuch might be done in that
time II there had been any foundation
on which to stand. As 1t was, ! tried
to dismiss the prisoner frOra my mind
and attend to other business / could
not do this. however, and tho days and
weeks passed, until one day remained
before the day set for the execution Of
tho condemned. On this day l visited
Wallace Harper once moro.
lie had lost flesh. and / could sec that
thero was much inward suffering. be-
came fully convinced that something
rested on his mind. and I urged him to
make clean breast Of It.
ut could do no good, he declared.
Il will die without speaking" And
then left him.
As passed from the Jail another Wis
itor WAS announced--a vailed woman.
1t was doubtless tho mans sweetheart,
come to visit him for tho last time. She
had been too i'll to appear at tho trial.
and I had never seen her to speak
with her since.
TIE night before tho day set for tho
ably. felt that IN innocent man was
soon to bc launched into eternity.
In tho gray rists Of the morning Of
November Q q vailed fcmalo walked
to my door. I answered the bell in per-
son, and l admitted tho visitor to my
oflce-room. Being seated. she threw
aside her vail. revealing . young face,
pale and thin, and almost beautiful.
Before she spoke knew that she WAS
the daughter of the late Donald Dun
ham.
''Is it too latc to save Wallace Har.
pcr?" she asked. in . tremuiOus voice. !
Certainly too late" answered. ''Of
course, II there WAS new evidence,
of positive nature. going to show that
some other person committed the crimo
for which he is to suffer. Fye Eo doubt
We might save the young man. But"
II have that evidence"
"You have? Why in Heavens namc
did you not speak sooner. then?' Icried.
in . stern voice.
II dared moi" }" she said. slowly. 'I-I
must speak now; the world must know
the truth. Wallace Harper is innocent :
1t was who did tho deed"
Her whole framo shook like an aspen,
and could SEQ that she WAS wrought up
could scarcely believe her words. how !,
ever. It must bc that shc was driven !
mad on account Of her lovers peril. I
her to speak. however. and
she did 90. in rapid, low tones.
1T WAS I who did the deed. hated
to speak sooner. loved my father.
and did not like to believe him capa-
BILE Of doing an evil deed. lie did it ,
however. He invited Wallace to take
wine with him that last evening. I
saw him pour the wine. and I saw him
1rop . powder into ono Of the goblcts.
Then he called Wallace, and requested
him to quaR with him. /
II did not know what the powder
vas. but an awful fear oppressed me. |.
With quick movement when fathers
back was turned exchanged goblets.
md father drained the one intended for
his CLERK. What followed you know.
| WAS Mortified when I learned that !
deadly poison had been administered
II could not speak. My father .
1t Was horrible. I realized |
that my hand had substituted the poi
son for his lips that he had intended
Tor another. In the excitement of the
moment Wallace picked up tho folded /
paper containing the poison that lay
near BY and dropped it into his pocket
IS he testified at tho trial In his
lying moments my father cursed the
name OF Harper and accused him Of MUIR
lering him.
II tainted. I think. and hsve been
rear to death since that ! have tried
% bring myself 10 speak moro than
'nce. but have been unequal to tho
ask. am now anxious 70 have the
ruth known. Can you save Wallace?
he Is an innocent man"
There was no time to BE- lost
prang up at once. visited . magis-
rate with Miss Dunham, and her an.
lavit was sent over the wires 70 the
sovernor. .ae.,-sF 1rt
We were none too soon. A repricve
vas granted. and tho facts at once in
'estigated Miss Durham adhered to
Ter story. and Wallace Harper corrob-
rated it. He saw her move the glasses,
mt had refused to speak, lest he should
riminase the 9trl he loved. That was
lis secret .sIa; 81 :
A thorough isvestigstion was had ana /
he story told BY the girl accepted
Wallace Harper went forth free man
nd he has since won an honorable place
q tho business world.
saw him. ave years afterwsrd. for
ho drst time since his narrow escape
rosn thA ~allAvn ~ Flt tf~ - u II