Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18

moS1ents pause
Il have-I have told you that I am
innocent"
''oh, that isn't anything. Anybody
can be innocent Where do your people
ljve?"
Il haven't any people"
''Well, where do you come fron?"
II have come from place where
there was no happiness 10 place where
nothing but misery and disgrace can be
expected"
'You make me sad when you talk
that way, Mr. Alfreds-"
And would you expect me to inspire
gayety. Miss Ruth?"
mo. don't think ought to expect
that But you are not without friends,
Mr. Alfrcds. Most all the ladies in this
town arc interested in you
Women are ever interested in man
who is about to be hanged" he replied.
''Oh, don't talk about being hanged.
don't see how they can hang you. you
crc so nice" He laughed. II don't;
really don't. Now il you were some ugly,
good-for-nothing thing, it would be diff
fcrent. You follow my advice: When
YOU are taken into court look just as
pleasant as You cam"
Unfortunately, Miss Ruth. the jury
will not be composed of women"
We'll. don't you fear. think it will
come out all right"
But did IL come ont all right? Tho
court met three days later. and after \
very short trial Alfrcds was sentenced to
be hanged. 1t was no surprise 70 him.
He was TO meet death sixty days later,
on the day after Christmas. Il was
dark when he was tai-en back IL his
cell. and he chung to hope that Ruth
might come to console him; but the
weary hours passed and loud-mouthed
dogs bayed the turn of night Morning,
and still no sympathetic face, no voice
of soft encouragement Weeks passed
Ruth was away on visit Christmas
morning. The day was bright. a man
came in with the prisoners breakfast.
do You think the weather is likely
10 change between now and tomorrow
morning." AIfreds asked.
WHY so?'
Because IL /. should cloud to-day
will give me my last glimpse of the sun.
Has the Young lady returncd?"
NO. not yet"
when do you expect herr"
Don't know. I'm hired to chop wood
and work about the place and not To
listen TO the news OF the family"
"Will the hanging be public?"
"As public as out OF doors can make
it."
''Do you think thercll be many peo-
pie presents"
.'Oh. certainly. People look for arluse-
mcnt during the holidays"
II naEst say that you are cold-blooded.
s'Ard why shouldn't I be; why
shouldn't hate every man that's IN
fcrtunatc2"
why Should You il the question:"
HBecanse + served term in the pen
isentiary.-
what he'd yoa doueg'
Told the truth"
what. they sent vou ~ the peniten-
tiarv for telling the TRUTH
eyes. they asked me If committed
the forgery and said that 7 did"
'sOh. yoa arr n sstirist-"
''Well. must 60 and split piece
knottv wood. Fires must -, even
Christmas do come. suppose you n,
take care of yourself to-day. and as fr
Tomorrow. why. the sheriff will have
% take care Of you.
re passed ont and n merry voice was
heard. The prisoners blood leaned
Ruth had rrtsrned All smiles and airs
Of ravetv. she entered the corridor. ADD
she was not alone: the sheriff and the
jailer were with her.
"sfr. Alfredo she cried. Il have
hroaxhs yoa a Christmas present. here
u your pardon.
open the door." said the sheriff. Re-
fore Alfre.ls' swimming eyes the iron
bars were shadow lace work.
Zone "a into the sitting room. said
The girl, sad she let him cut
Ile sat IN rs-s<ing chair. A long
time passed before he said anything
~Ana hav~ shev discovered nv insso-
eencsF' Ne naked.
Ne abe answered "fes ne tell
yeu What I did I nsasie AL he jury-
rsrr ard ne rrrsg~utinx astsrnef aHsi
fAr tssss.rr assf hnsssirrsfs ~ eshny fssssple
sign : rssiiiaa asking Cor rpnt f,sfssssfs.
ssd th<a ~snt Al the way - Nssis-