The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-22

but the strongest evidence against
thls man is the finding of a blue silk
handkerchief with a red square in the
centre, much torn and twisted, near
d body of Broome. Spectators at the
performance say that they noticed
specially this queer handkerchief; for
ne used it i the performance of several
tricks. Stounder said it was like his
but was not his. When asked to pro-
uce lis, he said that he had missed it
and did net know where it was.
The trial will be concluded to day
oy II o'clock, and l have no doubt but
that the verdict will be guilty"
Painful thoughts came in my mind
at hearing this recital. Somehow I
did not believe that Stounder was
guilty. I was, in fact, sure of his in
nocence. I wished to do something
for him-but what could l do. He was
a stranger here-eo wasI
went up into the court room and
pushed my way through the crowd till
l reached a place from which 1 could
see the prisoner. He had an anxious,
care worn face; but I saw no signs of
murder there. He caught sight of me.
His countenance frightened. He evil
IDENTIFY remembered me.
Just then the jury came in with
their verdict. 1t was guilty" The
poor man fell back in his chair and
swooned. A physician was called who
soon restored the man to consciousness.
The judge pronounced sentence and
appointed a day three months hence
for the execution.
1 went back to the hotel sad at heart
and with gloomy feelings. That after
noon I obtained permission to visit the
prisoner. His countenance lighted up.
He spoke with rapid u%tterance:
Il saw you this morning in the court
room. Your face showed belief in my
innocence. 1 think I have seen you
before somewhere. Was it in Column
bia, S. O., where 1 showed two months
after leaving here-just before I was
a~rrestedG" mo" said I, cit was here
at your performance, the night of
Broome's death" "Ah," he sighed,
''Then maybe, you a yet say a good
word for me-"
But" said I, ''have you any objec
ton to telling me what you did and
where you went that night, after the
performance"
81 have nothing more to tell" he
answered, ethan I have already told
to my lawyer, except this n thing-I
believe that the handkerchief found
near Broomes' body vas mine. I
bought it in Paris 1 don't believe
there is another one like it in the
United States. The only lie I told in
the whole matter was about that hand
kerchief. I lost it that night of the
performance. Some one picked it up
some one who murdered Broome."
Turning sudding to me and looking
me squarely in the eye, he said: do
you really believe that I am innocent?'
Ny answer was prompt: 81 sincerely
do" Then" said he, you car save
an innocent man from death-time will
produce the real murderer" "How9"
1 said, LISTEN" said he: Promise
me to be here on the day set for execu
ton and have with you, hidden care
fully under your o%vercoat, an old large
jacket and an old fur cap. Keep close
to the carriage in which 1 shall be con-
veyed and when you hear an uproar in
the crowd mingled with oaths and cries
of murder! push up to the carriage
and hand me the jacket and cap That
is all 1 want-promise me, on the honor
of a gentleman, and l shall feel easy
1 readily gave him the promise, and
soon after left him, in a quiet and
gentle frame of mind.
III
Again in Tarboro. Three months
have passed. The town is thronged
with people of all ages, colors, sexes,
AS the time for the execution draws
near the great mass of humanity moves
slowly towards the old field on the out
skirts of the town where the gallOws
had been erected. I did not follow
them; but fingered near the Jail. About
three hundred people had waited there.
This number was more than doubled
as soon as the prison doors were opened
and the condemned man was led forth.
He was placed in a small, low, one
horse wagon, with his coffin for a seat
By him sat the sheriff and four or
five guards. Aguard of twenty men
walked, ten on each side, near the
wagon.