River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-06-16

And If he did, could they get it across
wilderness living between the village
and the county seat in time to save the
condemned man? The distance by the
county road was so great that that
way was impossible, and only a few
knew the way across the trackless
swamps and through the pine woods.
Questions like these were discussed
in the store, the post Office and at the
family hearths that afternoon, while
up at the big house on the hill, where
he spent the vacation, stood the gov
s.rnor, a perpiexed look ON his face,
and the question: shall I grant tins
man a pardon?" kept ringing in his
ears and absorbing his attention.
He paused in his walk and looked out
across the road at the opposite house,
where Matt Henderson had lived. and
as he looked a young man galloped into
the yard on a great black horse. The
young man sprang to the ground, the
door opened and a beautiful girl gave
him =. loving kiss. The governors eyes
filled with tears; he turned quickly to
the table. picked up a pen and muir
INJURED as he signed the paper: Il don't
think he ever committed the deed. and
here are the names of five hundred 9TH
ers who think the same thing: besides. .
he slowly added. 1T would kill the poor
girl and ruin the happiness of both she
and that brave fellow yonder" lie
threw down the pen. snatched his hat
from the rack in the hall and with the
document in his hand hurried across
the roat. to Mats door
As he reached the steps the door
opened and the fearful face of Jennie
Henderson confronted him. ''Oh. sir. =
she cried. You will sign it-you will
save my father?" The governors voice
was full of pity as he answered: Yes.
my child, / have signed it. do not
think your father guilty"
cry of joy broke from her lips as
she took the pardon from his out
stretched hand. Hal, Oh, Hal! lie
has signed it," and she fell back into
the arms of handsome Hal Kruger. her
betrOthed. A dash of cold water. and
the girl opened her eyes 20 hear the
words: Courage, my love. courage;
will save your father and with aquick
kiss on her upturned lips he dashed into
the yard with the pardon in his hand.
sprung into the saddle and dashed down
the road, leaving the brave girl stand
ing at the door with the governor.
God speed him On his errand- He Is
\ brave fellow; he will save your IA
Their" said the governor, laying his
hand upon her shoulder.
"Oh. sir. you were so good to sign il.
know God will reward you. and will
be brave and trust in Him." saying
which she turned and entered the
Icuse, while the governor retraced his
s'epS 10 his library.
sud ienly the fleet hoofs of a horse
sounded at the village store. A qsick
spring. and the door swung open. adj
hitting Hal Kruger.
Quick. Bill,'' he cried. addressing
The storekeeper: "a brace of revolvers
and some fresh cartridges, I'm off for
The Jail have the pardon and there's
no time 10 lose" And before the feel
ing Of surprise and establishment had
worn away he had buclxled the belt
containing the revolvers and cartridges
around his waist, sprung into his seat in
down the road.
As the flying steed and his rider dis
appeared down the valley the crowd re-
gained their senses and began 20 talk.
why. that's old Vels son. he what
was a-courtin' Mats girl afore his old
man was killed and her dad 'cused Of
the MURDER ''But the lad loves the
gal. and when he rived home from the
EAST, where he had been studyin' fer
some perfeshun 50 long, he stuck TO IT
that it was an accident and old Matt
didn't kill his dad" "Howsomever, !
reckon the lads got the biggest kind of
-ob on his hands bout now, for let
alone the country he's got 20 cover, it's
full Of ESves and they're on the ram
page this time O. the year"
These and sundrx other remarks EeSs