Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-01-22
PARD0NED.

governor still sat alone in his library,
hard at work on his forthcoming mes
sage.
Absolute quiet reigned in the man
sion, and not a light was to be seen In
any of the neighboring houses.
The governors vito was visiting
friends in the country. and the serv-
ants were all asleep III their quarters in
O separate building.
The governors pen moved rapidly
over sheet after sheet of paper.
Finally the writer paused and for q
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 q nervous feeling came over
him, due partly to physical exhaustion
and partly to his sense of utter loneli-
ness.
"I wish that I had told John to sit
up, - he said to himself, ''but he is like
all the other servants, too sleepy head
ed to be of any use. -
He resumed his chair and took up his
pen.
What was that in the hall? Was it a
footstep?
Nearer and nearer came the stealthy,
shufling steps.
The governor could no longer doubt
the testimony of his own ears, but a
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 a man
walked in-a big, stout fellow. roughly
clad, with hard, wicked face and bold,
daring eyes.
The intruder quietly locked the door
and took chair ON the side of the table
opposite the governor.
Keep your seat, governor, - he said,
with a peculiar leer. MY business
won't take long. Ten minutes will be
enough.
"Who are you. " gasped the governor,
'and how did you get inf''
f'Red Rube is what they call me, "
was the reply, "and walked in at the
back door. 1 knocked your niger down
and gagged him ard took the key away
two hours ago, when he left the house,
and then 1 waited until everything was
The governors face turned pale. Red
Rube was one of the worst desperadoes
that have been sent to the penitentiary in
many years, and his midnight visit GER
tainly meant robbery and perhaps muir
der.
$50 you have escaped from prison, "
said the governor.
eyes; skipped out last night. Then
1 came to town. called ON friend and
got some clothes and these.
As he said this he exhibited large
bowie knife and pistol.
You see, am well fixed, and mean
business, - laughed the ruffian.
.'But what do you want, and why
are you here?'' asked the other.
ssWell, governor, to make long story
short. want you to write me pardon
and LET me have enough money to pay
my way out west.
Itwas an outrageous request. Should
the ruler of great state allow himself
to ba bulldozed into pardoning a mur-
derer and supplying him with funds?
And vet 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 per
son and make his escape.
The heroic thing would be toresist tc
| the end, but the governor thought Of
his young wife, and he felt that hs
must save his life. at any cost. 1t was
ont of the question for an unarmed mar
in delicate health to struggle with {
giant like Red Rube, who could finish
L r.
ST won't be hard ON you, - said Rec
Rube, "but must have the pardon.
and must have at least 800. 7"
ct Will summon help, said the gov
ernor.
EXCUSE me, but you can't, % replied
Red Ruhe. fHThe servants and tht
| neiehbors can't hear you, and if yor
| raise your voice or try to ring bell,
why, I'll have to use this" and h'
pointed to his knife.
The helpless man on the other side O.
the table could not repress a slight
shudder, but he made an effort to appeal
calm. >.
steruIy, 'sbut will give you one chance
Leave the house, and viii say nothing
about your visit. +"
Red Rnbe laughed heartily.
lyon don't size up the situation, " b
said. .'I have got to make this deal o
90 back to prison, and will die betefe
I win go back. Now, If I kill yod anc
| they capture me. they will not hane
me-" ..=z
ST would like to know why, SAD
the astonished governor.
soause they have sent me 70 tns
nsane ward, was the answer 7se
q ,ev were getting ready to put me IN
i, ) ASYLUM. / am no longer . criminal,
-, = howline fanatic, don't you see
We j. II they Try me for killing you,
al tI,e-v VIII do viii b to send me <
the Esane asylum
Thss governor sank back IN his chair
and r ube grinnsd-
Yea see. said Rube, II was osie'
acaui h ed OF a murtr in Texas on til'