Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-03-08
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
Inc 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 rs with bowed head he bent ovel
the table strewn with the records of the evi
dence and legal authorities put forward il
my defense.
1t WAS evening, the dim Jets were being
lit by the turnkeys, and as paced my cell
l heard II voice calling to my night watch.
He rose from his chair, leaned over the rail
ing, received the message and, turning,
opened the cell door and beckoned me &c
come out.
They are going to give you more com
Portable quarters" he said gently, 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, III my clothes, on the bed flung
my hands behind my head and thought
thought Of my old home across the ocean
of my sch0olbOy and student days, of the
ambitious spirit and wild desire for adven
Uure that had brought me to America, of
my check cred 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
y
and handed me card with the name of
we'll known clergyman thereon. rose to
my feet and took "A chair beside the table.
The good man entered. Tears were in
his eyes His hand was outstretc hed rose
and grasped it.
ALLOW me, " he said, Ito pray with you.
You have refused all spiritual consolation.
You will not he so obdurate now when you
must soon stand before him who willeth
not the death of the sinner
waved my hand negatively as l replied:
II appreciate your sympathy and therefore
acceded to your request to see me; but, as
for prayer. | will go into eternity with
nothing 20 fear and nothing to hope"
His cOuntenance fell, and he looked long
and earnestly at me
Let me at least read II chapter of Gods
word to YOU" he asked.
Il am content, | answered, with a 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 at
family prayer in the old country closed
my eyes and could fancy that saw again
my mother and brothers around the table
listening attentively to the old familiar
lines.
Wheu he had flushed. 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 .iaId me down. The night passed
drearlly on, my guard doing from time to
time III his chair. Once or twice | also fell
lntOa troubled slumber, at one time dream
ing that | was galloping over the green
fields at home with my favorite hunter
with the pack of foXhounds in full cry
Suddenly, as Was about to clear IL double
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, fell
over on ne and lawOke Again dreamed
that stood upon the scaffOld, and as the
drop WAS about to fall an angel with my
darlins'a face noated in through the win
dow with scroll on which was written the
word "Innocent."
At 8 O'Clock rose, aud my guard secured
for me the best suit of clothing possessed
felt easier snd hrmer, now that my final
hour WIS nigh | was impatient for the
attendauce of the prison barber, who had
not yet arrived, and at my urgent request
he was sent for an hour before his habitual
time. When he had performed his Office,
looked AT myself in the little mirror and
Ill tfafaa
ance. like To that one feels when he is
about to start for church or theater and
knows that he is we'll grOomed.
| sat down TO wait. Then my new found
strength seemed to yield, and my hands
trembed invOluntarily. ordered hearty
break fast determined not to become I'M
nerved By mental force compelled my
self to partake of it freely and drank sew
eral cups of tea that had purposely or
iered to he made as strong as possible. My
guard suggested that he bring some brandy
the prison rules allowing it men situated
Is now was. | declined the offer but &c
tepted cigar.
heard II heavy football in the corridor
without. Ny guard listened attentively
and looked at his watch. The steps, which
Iere followed by shufiiing feet, passed my
door, and | heard the key CRATE in the lock
Of the gate entering the women's depart
llcnt II WAS but zone more unfortunate"
T. the iron clutch of the law
sat on smoking and listening. Yes, it
was coming now. | heard several people
approaching and speaking in hushed tones.
My guard opened the door. The tall form
If the sheriff stood on the threshold. His
.ace was colorless and more the expression
9f one who gaZes on the face Of the dead.
gle did not speak. He seemed to take it