The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-26


The governors wife was visiting friends
in the country, and the servants were all
asleep in their quarters in a separate build
ing.
The governors hand moved rapidly over
sheet after sheet OF paper.
Finally the writer paused and for a
moment was absorbed in profound thought.
Then he rose and slowly paced the room,
occasionally stopping, apparently to listen
to some real or imaginary noise in another
part of the house
He felt that his work had overtaxed him,
and nervous feeling came over him, due
partly to physical exhaustion and partly to
his sense of utter loneliness.
81 wish that had told John to sit up
he said to himself, "but ne is like all the
other servants too sleepy headed to be of
any use"
He resumed his chair and took up his
pen
What was that in the hall? Was it
footstep?
shulllng steps.
The governor could no longer doubt the
testimony of his own ears. but strange
numbness seized him. and he felt unable to
rise from his chair.
In another moment it was too late. The
door opened softly, and man walked in
fn1 els
hard, wicked face and bold, daring eyes.
The intruder quietly locked the door and
took chair on the side of the table oppo-
site the governor
Keep your seat, governor he said,
with a peculiar leer. "Nly business won't
take long. Ten minutes will he enough"
"Who are YOU" gasped the governor,
''and how did you get in?'
cred Rnbe is what they call me-" was
the reply, ''and | walked in at the back
door. ! knocked your niger down and
gagged him and took the key away two
hours ago when he left the house, and then
/ waited until everything was quiet. Any
more questions 2"
The governors face turned pale. Red
Rube was one of the worst desperadocs
that have been sent to the penitentary in
many years. and his midnight visit Ger
tainly meant robbery and perhaps murder
$50 you have escaped from prison. said
the governor.
eyes; skipped out last night Then |
came to town, called on IA friend, and got
some clothes and these"
As he said this he exhibited large
OWE knife and pistol.
"You see, am well fixed, and mean
business" laughed the ruilan.
''But what do you want, and why are
you here 2" asked the governor.
"Well, governor, to make long story
short, | want you to write me Il pardon
and let me have enough money to pay my
way out West"
1t was an outrageous request. Should
the governor of great State allow himself
to be bulldozcd into pardoning murderer
and supplying him with funds?
And yet what was to be done? 1t was
impossible to raise an alarm that would be
heard If the intruder's demand was
refused, the governor would be dead man
and the convict would rob his person and
make his escape.
The heroic thing would he to resist to
the end, but the governor thought of his
young wife, and felt that he must save his
life at any cost. 1t was out of the question
for an unarmed man in delicate health to
struggle with giant like Red RUDE, who
could finish him with his knife in second.
~ won't be hard on you, said Red RUDE
''but must have the pardon, and | must
have at least 800.
II will summon help" said the COVER
nor.
Excuse me, but you can t. replied Red
RUDE. "'fhe servants and neighbors can't
hear you, and if you raise your voice or
try to ring bell why I'll have to use
this, )" and he pointed to his knife.
The helpless man on the other side of
the table could not suppress a slight shud-
der, but he made an effort to appear calm
"You are drunk or crazy" he said
sternly, "but | will give you one chance
Leave the honse, and | will say nothing
about your VISIT
Red RUDE laughed heartily.
''You don't size up the situation" he
said.
81 have got to make this deal or 90
back to prison, and | will die before | will
go back. Now, If | kill you and they cap
ture me, they will not hang me-
81 would like to know why" said the
astonished governor.
Because they have sent me to the in
sane ward" was the answer "and they
were getting ready to put me III the asylum.
am no longer il criminal, but a bowling
lunatic, don't you see Well, if they try
me for killing you, all that they would do
would be to send me back to the insane
asylum.
The governor sank back in his chair and