Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1895-08-08
A NORWEGIAN EXECUTION.
tno headsman Madea Clean Stroke and
| Then FnintaH


rne Headsman Made Clean stroke and
Then tainted.
Speaking of executions" said the
traveller, after having read aloud the
realistic story of = recent hanging. ~
saw something novel in that line N.Y.
self when was q youngster hap
pened to be in Bergen in the depth Of
winter, and of all places in the world
that sleepy but Economically situated,
old Norwegian town is one Of the most
dead and alive, so when wei mean by
we tho guests in the Jensen inn
learned that there was to be n real live
execution on the little gray point just
behind the hotel, where Law the dis
mantled guns, we were filled with de-
light In fact, the news was very gem
orally appreciated, for executions had
been unknown In Norway for many
years, so one with mans head falling
thump into ha sket and a glittering
ak burying itself in the soft pine of the
block, after cutting through flesh,
and vertebr@, as sharp knife cuts
through new cheese, was a break in
the monotony of northern winter to
be thankful for.
AT length the day set for the execu-
tion dawned, and the point, with its
ramshackle, lettering defenses, too
weak to Withstand even third-class
modern gunboat, doomed gray and in
distinct through the mist from the
ford. The parties to the tryst were
early on hand-the officers of the law
because it was their duty, and the
criminal because with him it was Hob
sons choice. But early as the murder
or, his chaplain, guards and cxecutioner
had assembled at the block, four thou
sand spectators had gathered still ear
lier. Four thousand men and not
woman among them. do not say that
there were not few peeping from be-
hind distant blinds and shutters, but,
at least, there were none in sight.
"a company of foot kept the place
of execution clear of intruders. The
arrangements were primitive, but, as
the sequel showed, sufficient. A rough
pine platform, breast high, just long
enough for man to lie upon; notched
beam nailed across one end, step fac
ing the end of the said beam for the
exccutioner to stand upon, and big,
new basket for the head to fall into
| The murderer was a commonplace fell
low enough short, stocky and power
| full A convict who, condemned for
life for highway robbery with violence,
had killed his keeper-the romance of
the drama came through another
source. Some years previously stu
dent of the University of Christiania
had found himself face to face with
the direst poverty Either he must
leave the university, with his studies
half completed, or starve. He was
| preparing for the latter course when
the king advertised for royal exccu-
toner. There had been no executions
for years Folk said there would never
be another in Norway. The office,
however disgusting, was merely sim
ecure, and the salary of two or three
hundred dollars would be so useful.
Thus it came about that this fair
haired, white-handed, thoughtful stu
dent found himself on that raw Janu-
airy morning standing with an ak in
his hand, staring horror-stricken al
the hardened criminal whose head he
was shortly to attempt to cut off. Not
by any means a pleasant situation fol
scholar and gentleman to find him
self in.
care you strong enough?' whispered
the mayor in the headsman's ear
"His knees smote together and the
beads of sweat rolled down from under
his fur cap, but he clinched the AK
handle the tighter and made reply: I'll
go through with it,
"After few words to the crowd the
murderer stretched himself at full
length on his breast, folded his hands
over his back and was ready for the
blow or blows, nobody knew which tc
expect The Lutheran minister began
to repeat the Lords prayer, all present
knew it would never be finished and
lots of the onlookers wished them
selves anywhere but where they were
For myself, remember had the most
insane desire to rush forward and at
tempt to save the man at any cost. Il
seemed an abuse of power this array
ing of the might of the kingdom
against one poor wretch, however
guilty, and from that day to this
have disliked the idea of capital pun
ishment.
''The minister's deep voice rang out
Our Father which art in Heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive
THE blow had fallen, the ak quiv
cred in the beam; the murderer
head lay in the basket and the young
headsman hung limp and unconscious
In the arms of the kindly priest, whc
had caught him as he fell. All, they
don't get up executions like that il
this country"
"Thank goodness" ] muttered as
broke away to keep an appointment tt
see the Bridegrooms try to win game
'thank goodness; trolley cars are ba'
enough, but meat axes and heads il
baskets-Phewl'- Brooklyn Eagle.
Tho Whist Crank.
He wanted to play whist and wa