The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-13

sitting at the presidency, as it occasion
ally does, and Minnie had to wait long
time before the president could give her
an audience. Every minute seemed an
hour to the anxious girl. She had been
conducted to small room, which seemed
SO oppressively silent that she could al
most hear the beating of her own heart.
Presently there was firm, heavy step
heard, and the president, pipe in hand,
homely and kindly in appearance, en-
tered the apartment. Minnie does not
know to this day how she told her tale,
what words she spoke or what argument
she employed. She remembers that when
she had finished speaking she looked
earnestly and intently at the countenance
Of the president. His face was stern and
sad, but there was kindly look in his
eyes and some sympathy in his voice as
he said (IIis honor can speak good Eng
fish when he likes:
1T cannot be, my child. The jury
have found the young man guilty, and
the judge has sentenced him to death. 1t
is NOT for me or my executive to interfere
with their decision"
'sOh, your honor, but he is not guiltyr'
went on the girl with feminine logic. II
know he is not guilty. He does not de-
serve to die. Do not permit such an act
of injustice to be perpetrated in the land.
He is innocent"
THE jury have found him guilty." re-
piled the president kindly, but firmly.
81 pity you, my poor child, but cannot
do what you wish"
"The jury are but men. They are not
infallible," answered Minnie passionate
ly. "Oh, your honor, for the sake of
Justice, for the sake of all that you hold
dear on this earth, for your hope Of
heaven, be merciful, that you may de-
mand mercy for yourself at the throne
of gracel Pardon him, pardon himr'
She flung herself at his feet and raised her
white face with such an agony of suppl
cation that the president was moved.
Sentiment seldom moves this fair minded
ruler, and only at his religious exercises
has he for a long time been known to ex-
hibit emotion.
II would do what you ask willingly,
gladly, if thought it right, but donot
think SO. To pardon this young man
would be to encourage crime in the
state. Besides have not the prerogative
alone. 1t is shared by the executive"
but he is innocent. know he is"
1.-THE jury found him guilty, and the
judge condemned him to death. People
would say, and justly, that we did wrong
to reverse their decision and pardon a
murderer"
"He is no murderer! And he is SO
young, and he has suffered so much, and
/ love him, and"-here her voice broke,
and she buried her face despairingly in
her hands for moment, the president
meanwhile sitting in deep thought. Then
he rose and abruptly left the room. Min
ME waited, bewildered, agonized, for a
few minutes.
Then the president returned, bearing
in his hand slip of paper. Minnie's
heart reached her mouth, if there any
thing in the phrase.
Il have seen my executive" said the
president. 1--WE cannot pardon him and
set him free as you wish, but his SEN
tence shall be committed. Give this to
the landdrost tonight. He shall hear
further from me-"
Minnie took the paper from the presi.
dents hand, scarcely able to repeat the
burning words of gratitude that rose to
her lips.
II cannot thank you as should" she
murmured, "but l shall never forget
your goodness, and God will bless you
forever"
She took the big hand of President
Paul, pressed itreverently to her lips and
was speedily gone.
Once more in the coach on the way 20
johannesburg, Minnies tears fell fast.
but they were tears of gratitude, thank
fitness and joy that she had so well sue
ceeded in her mission. .....
Arrived in johannesburg, she lost not
a moment in seeking the landdrost, to
whom she handed the presidents paper.
The landdrost read it carefully and
then sternly said: 1.-THE president and
executive have been pleased to commute
Thomas Clarkson's sentence to penal
servitude for life. am sorry to say
that he has proved unworthy of thu
kindness. He has escaped from ouI
charge"
Escaped" repeated Minnie, half be
wildered; from where?'
From the Jail, of course. Where else:
But he cannot have gone far and will
soon be recaptured."
when did he escaper'