The herald., 1895-02-10
ANNIE PROTHEROE


A Legend of Stratford.Le-Bow
oh listen TO the tale OF little Annie Protheroe
She pit a small postonics in the neighbor
she loved skilled mechanic, who was famous
In his day
A gentle executioner whose name was Gilbert
Clay.
l think hear you say, "a dreadfuls bject for
your rhymesr"
o reader, do not shrink-he didn't live in
He lived so long ago (the sketch will show it at
glance,
That all his actions glitter with the lime-light
OF romance.
In busy times he labored at his gentle craft all
day
''No doubt you mean his Cal-craft," you anus
ingly will say
But no he didn't operate with common bits
of string,
He was public headsman. which is quite
another thing
And when his work was over. they would
ramble DER the lea,
And sit beneath the frontage OF an elderberry
tree,
And Annie's simple prattle entertained him
on MS walk,
For public executions formed the subject of
her talk.
And sometimes he'd explain to her, which
charmed her very much,
How famous operators vary very much in
touch,
And then. perhaps, he'd show how he himself
performed the trick,
And illustrate his meaning with q prppy and
stick,
Or, if it raincd, the little maid would stop at
home, and look
At his favorable notices. all pasted in book,
And then her cheek would hush-her swim
ming eyes would dance with joy
In glow of admiration at the powess of her
boy.
One summer eve at supper-time, the gentle
Gilbert said
Gas he helped his pretty Annie to a slice of
collared head
This reminds me must settle on the next en-
suing day
The hash OF that unmitigated villain Peter
Gray"
He saw his Annie tremble and he saw his
Annie start,
Her changing color trumpeted the futter at
her heart;
Young Gilberts manly bosom rose and sank
with jealous fear
And he said. 20 gentle Annie, what's the
meaning of this here?"
And Annie answered, blushing in an interest
ing way,
"You think, no doubt, l m signing for that
felon, Peter Gray!
That was his young moman is unquestion-
ably true
But not since began a-keeping company with
you
Then Gilbert, who WIS irritable, rose and
He d know the reason why If she refused to tell
him more;
And she answered (all the woman in her flash
ing from her eyes,,
you mustn't ask no questions and you won't
be told no lies!
Few lovers have the privilege enjoyed my
dear, by you,
OF chopping off arrivals head and quartering
him tool
OF vengeance, dear tomorrow you will surely
take your illr'
And Gil bert ground his molars as he answered
her, II willp'
Young Gilbert rose from table with a stern. de-
termined look
And, frowning, t1ok an inexpensive Ratchet
from its hook;
And Annie watched his movements with an
interested dir
For the morrow-for the morrow he was going
to prepare!
He Clipped it with hammer and he chopped
it with bill,
He poured sulphuric acid on the edge OF it
This terrible Avenger of the Majesty of Law
Was far less like hatchet than a dissipated
saw.
And Annie said, 20 Gilbert. dear. do not un-
derstand
Why ever you are injuring that Ratchet in your
hand?"
He said, at is intended for to lacerate and fay
The neck Of that unmitigated villain, Peter
Gray"
"Now Gilbert" Annie answered, wicked
headsman, just beware
won't have Peter tortured with that horrible
affair;
If you appear with that, you may depend you'll
rue the day."
But Gilbert said, "oh. shall II" which was just
his nasty way.
d
dart
For Annie was a woman, and had pity in her
heart.
She wished him good he answe red
with glare;
She only said. Remember for your Annie will
be there!"
The morrow Gilbert boldly on the scaffold
took his stand.
With vizor on his face and with Ratchet in
his hand,
And all the people noticed the Engine OF the
Law
Was far less like Ratchet than dissipated
The feon very coolly looscd his collar and his
stock,
And placed his wicked head upon tho handy
little block,
The Ratchet was uplifted for to settle Peter