Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-13
AT MY OWN HANGING.

The day before DEATH Yes, it had come.
All, how long it seemed since had heard
the solemn words of the judge sentencing
me to be hanged by the neck until dead"
since the hush fell over the crowded, sitting
courtroom, and had seen the worn, de-
jected expression on the pale face of my
counsel us with bowed head he bent over
the table strewn with the records of the evil
dence and legal authorities put forward in
my defense
1t was evening, the dim jets were being
lit by the turnkeys, and as I paced my cell
I heard voice calling to my night watch.
He rose from his chair, leaned over the rail-
ing, received the message. and, ttrning,
opened the cell door and beckoned me to
come out.
"They are going to give you more COM
Portable quarters" he said gently, a sad
expression in his eyes.
accompanied him down the Jail corridor
to the lower floor
Back of the Jail clerks Office was good
sized room. A bed stood in one corner.
There were also table and some chairs All
looked bright and neat and clean. threw
myself, in my clothes, on the bed, flung
my hands behind my head and thought
thought Of my old home across the ocean,
uf my schoolboy and student days, of the
ambitious spirit and wild desire for adven
ture that had brought me to America, OF
my checkered career since then, of meeting
her for whose life was about to pay the
penalty with my own. The hours dragged
along. My watch had urged me to take
supper, but had declined. The choicest
dish felt sure would have choked me-
A knock came to the door. My guard
opened it. He stepped over to my couch
and handed me card with the name of g
we'll known clergyman thereon. rose tc
my feet and took chair beside the table.
The good man entered. Tears were in
his eyes. His hand was outstretched. rose
and grasped it.
"Allow me-" he said, "to pray with you
You have refused all spiritual consolation.
You will not be so obdurate now when you
must soon stand before him who willetl
not the death of the sinner"
WAVED my hand negatively as replied
II appreciate your sympathy and therefore
acceded to your request to see me; but, as
for prayer, will go into eternity with
nothing to fear and nothing to hope"
His countenance fell, and he looked long
and earnestly at me.
'Let me at least read chapter of Gods
word to your" he asked.
II am content,"I answered, with weary
sigh.
He read the third chapter of ST. Johns
gospel, the story of Christ and Nicodemus
How often had heard my father read it al
family prayer in the old country! Iclosed
my eyes and could fancy that saw again
my mother and brothers around the table
listening attentively to the old familiar
lines.
When he had finished. he again sought to
urge me to prayer, and it was only after
had cordially thanked him for his kindness
and earnestly requested him to spare his
exertions that he at length departed and
again laid me down. The night passed
drearily on, my guard doing from time tc
time in his chair. Once or twice also fel
into troubled slumber, at one time dream
ing that l was galloping over the greet
fields at home with my favorite huntti
with the pack of foxhounds in full cry
Suddenly, us I was about to clear a doubl,
ditch, the form of my darling, in her blood
stained nightrobe and with her hand up
lifted, rose from behind the bank, and my
horse, rising on his launches in terror, fel
over on me and Iawoke. Again dreamed
thatI stood upon the scaffold, and as thu
drop was about to fall an angel with my
darling's face foated in through the win
dow with scroll on which was written tn,
word Innocent"
At o'clock rose, and my guard secured
for me the hest suit of clothing possessed
felt easier and firnler, now that my fina
hour was nigh. was impatient for thu
attendance of the prison barber, who hat
not yet arrived and at my urgent reques
he was sent for an hour before his habtua
time. When he had performed his office,
looked at myself in the little mirror ant
felt a strange satisfaction at my appear
ance, like to that one feels when. he il
about to start for church or theater ant
knows that he is well groomed.
sat down to wait Then my new fount
strength seemed to yield, and my hand
trembled involuntarily. Iordered heart.
breakfast. determined not to become TN
neryed. By mental force compelled my
self to partake of it freely and drank sew
eral cups of tea that had purposely OF
dered to be made as strong as possible. M,
guard suggested that he bring some brandy
the prison rules allowing it to men situated
as now was. I declined the offer, but &C
copied cigar.
heard a heavy football in the corrido
without. My guard listened attentivel.
and looked at his watch. The steps, whicl
were followed by shutting feet, passed m.
door, and heard the key CRATE in the loci
of the gate entering the women's depart
ment. It was but lone more unfortunate
in the iron clutch of the law.
I sat on smoking and listening. Yes, 1
was coming now. heard several peopl
approaching and speaking in hushed tones
NV guard opened the door. The tall form
Of the sheriff stood on the threshold. HI
face was colorless and more the expression
Of one who gazes on the face Of the dead
He did not speak. He seemed to take /
for granted that knew his mission to-
WE'LL The head jailer and two turnkey
were with him. / bowed and left my chair
He bowed in return and removed his hat
Ms did the rest. Then he took from hi
breast pocket paper. It was my dealt
warrant. He read it In trembling tone